Feur Development project to provide for additions to the telephone
cable system on Eniwetok Island.
Engineering for the project was
completed by the end of July and the port date specified in requisitions for project materiel was 1 September,
Most of the materiel
did not reach Eniwetok, however, until late October or early November.
Another major planning problem previously discussed as a recurrent difficulty in the first section involved the procurement
of competent, technically qualified communications personnel for
the Army Task Group.
Most of the men shipped to Eniwetok were in
the grade of E~3 and had very little active service.
This situa-
tion was discussed with G~l, D/A and the Chief of the Personnel
and Training Division, OCSigO, emphasizing the need for experienced supervisory personnel and the impracticability of attempting
to conduct a training program during an operational period.
To
alleviate the condition, the Chief Signal Officer agreed to accept
levies from G-l1 for NCO specialists in the first four grades and
to provide these men from organizations under his control.
Further
assistance was previded by the ACofS, J~5, Headquarters JTF SEVEN,
who arranged for TDY assignment of a small group of experienced
specialists to augment the TG 7.2 Signal Detachment in those MOS's
not adequately provided for in allowances prescribed in their T/D.
‘In preparing the command ship for Operation CASTLE, primary
consideration was given to elimination or reduction of radio interference and provision of qualified technical personnel to operate
210