VIII.
Time o/ Explosion:
The time of all three explosions was geared to the requirement of one type of photography. This required a risk of many other failures. Further, some other tests involving
important defense requirements could not be conducted. It would seem that at least one
shot could have been scheduled during daylight.
1X. Area Location:
This area seems to have been accepted as the only suitable one for atomic tests. The
expense of logistics and the difficulty of plans and operations are too large if another site
would answer. Water and air transportation to such a distant area are not only expensive,
but time consuming at a cost in efficient results. A study of other and more accessible areas
should be made at once. It is believed we now know enough to undertake the solution of this
problem with more certainty than was the case for Crossroads or Sandstone.
X. Headquarters
Location:
If other tests are run at the same location, I believe the commander would do well to
consider using the island of Eniwetok instead of a ship. While there are many advantages
in the L’SS Mt. McKinley, there are a greater number of disadvantages particularly for
ground and air facilities so vital to a joint task force. The ship is entirely too congested for
providing all facilities. This results in inefficiency in proper use of personnel. The great
volume of communications involved often interfere with each other. If a ship is used, it
seems to necessitate following Navy procedure. While this occasions very little difficulty to
Navy personnel, it is confusing to others. Some serious study should be devoted to a better
scheme that will incorporate the advantages of all three departments and eliminate the
undesirable or unnecessary disadvantages. When a solution is found for such a joint task
force, it might well be the start of a better, and a common communication system for use
in all defense departments.
b$ajpl%”--eneral.
Dep~
C_er#
Ccana.nd er, Air Foruea
xvii