The operational rehearsals necessary to test plans, proce-
dures, and communications for Operation CASTLE were conducted
during January and February.
Each of the task groups participated
in those rehearsals relative to its participation in the detonations.
CTG 7.1, with participation by supporting task groups, conducted
practice loadings of devices and shot barges in late January and
early February.
The LST 762 and the BELLE GROVE made three trial
runs prior to actual movement of the first test device from Eniwetok to Bikini.
The tugs, APACHE and SIOUX, also rehearsed the
laying and recovery of fallout collector buoys at both Eniwetok
and Bikini.
CTG 7.4 conducted a rehearsal on 16 February in preparation
for air participation in the initial shot.
The aircraft partici-
pating were essentially those which would take part in
SHor%
The Air Operations Center (AOC) on Eniwetok and the AOC
in the ESTES were fully manned for actual control of aircraft.
The
rehearsal was a success from the Task Group 7.4 standpoint and bet-
ter prepared that unit for successful participation in the
sHor/
detonation.
A general Task Force rehearsal for[Sfo7/ was executed on 23
February with H~hour set at 0645.
TG 7.4 participated with a max-
imum air effort and TG 7.3 had all vessels except the GYPSY and the
COCOPA participating. TG 7.1 took part to the maximum extent pos~
sible in view of instrumentation readiness,. and evacuation procedures were tested although complete evacuation was not effected.
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