The U.S. military forces performed with great effectiveness in this difficult
environment.
Tour lengths on-atoll were about six months for most personnel, one
year for key individuals. Some were volunteers, but because of the specialized
nature of most tasks, the majority were assigned from units world-wide having the
necessary skills.
It was arduous, rigorous work in a harsh environment, with
potentially hazardous conditions always present.
The planned workweek was 60
hours, with many individuals working much more. Temperatures and humidities
were always high, and for those working in confining anti-contamination clothing,
short shift lengths had to be established. Living conditions were austere, and
recreational facilities were extremely limited (and even here there was potential
for danger). In all, over 4,000 U.S. servicemen served on-atoll in the Enewetak
radiological cleanup; and six lost their lives (two in industrial accidents, two in a
recreational accident, and two unrelated to the environment).
The Army element, which was the largest of the Service contingents, came
principally from the 84th Lngineer Battalion in Hawaii.
These Army engineers
performed the bulk of the actual cleanup work, and provided the maintenance
capability for the heavy construction equipment. The Army also supplied the
helicopter detachment for medical evacuation, search and rescue, and other
emergency use.
The Navy element, which drew large numbers of its personnel from Assault
Craft Unit One of the Pacific Fleet, provided al! inter-island water transport~-a
task which required some 30 Navy landing craft and boats and extensive maintenance facilities for their support. The Navy also provided the Underwater
Demolition Teams, the Explosives Ordnance Disposal Teams, and some of the
technicians for DoE's radiological laboratories.
The Air Force element, whose personne! came from force-wide units,
provided a myriad of support functions: Field Radiation Support Teams for on-site
radiological safety supervision, communications team, staff for the medica!
facilities, POL (fuels) team, airhead detachment, some laboratory technicians, and
postal workers.
Despite the rigorous and austere nature of the assignment, personnel problems were few. Individuals understood and supported the important objectives of
the
radiological
cleanup
and
its national
and
international
significance.
In
recognition of their unselfish and highly effective efforts, the Secretary of Defense
awarded the Dol) Humanitarian Service Medal to members of all Services for
meritorious participation on-aloll in the Fnewetak radiological cleanup.
Throughout every step of planning and every day of execution, the most
important consideration in the cleanup ‘operation was the radiological safety of
individuals involved in the operation. In planning, each aspect of the operation was
designed to minimize the potential for exposure of individuals to ionizing radiation.
In execution, each operation involving possible radiation exposure was directly
supervised and closely reviewed by teams or organizations whose sole function was
radiological safety (radsafe). Radiation exposure standards were set conservatively