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RADIOLOGICAL CLEAINUD OF EINE WELAK ALOLL
Mobilization of military forces and material for the radiological cleanup
| of Enewetak Atoll began on [5 March 1977 with the requisitioning of
personnel and supplies identified in the draft operations pian (Field
Command’s OPLAN 600-77), which had been developed in the preceding
2 weeks at the second Enewetak Planning Conference. However, U.S.
Army Support Command, Hawaii (USASCH) did not receive supply
requisitioning authority until 28 March 1977. The logisticians had
concurred in establishing D-Day as 15 June 1977 only if they could begin
requisitioning materiel immediately, in order to provide a minimum of 90
days’ order and delivery time. To make matters worse, in the closing
minutes of the second planning conference, the start of Lojwa Camp site
preparation was advanced from D-Day to D minus 28 days. This left less
than 9 weeks to mobilize men and materiel for that work.
First priority in ordering materiel went to building supplies for camp
construction andto life support equipment to be installed in the camps. To
minimize lead time, most of the items were to be ordered by H&N from
commercial sources rather than through DOD supply channels. H&NPTD established a logistics center at its offices on Hickam AFB, Hawaii.
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for the engineers, supply, and procurement personnel who were involved
in designingfacilities and ordering construction material. These personnel
came from USASCH, from PTD’s staff, and from H&N headquarters.It
was found that so much time had elapsed since the Army bills of material
for base camps were drawn up that they were outdated. Considerable
research and interpretation were required before they could be used for
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requisitioning supplies.
Meanwhile, on 31 March 1977, 2 weeks into the mobilization effort, Field
Command changed its office of primary responsibility for Enewetak
matters from the Director of Logistics to the Director of Plans and
Operations.32 With this shift, the Enewetak Planning Group, which had
been established under the chairmanship of the Director of Logistics to
provide staff management continuity and coordination for the project,
ceased to meet.
LAICOMMUNIC TIONS ARRIVE: 16 MARCH 1977
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MOBILIZATION BEGINS: 15 MARCH 1977
H&N-PTD movedin twooffice trailers to provide additional office space
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To coordinate mobilization efforts, reliable radio communications were
urgently neededat the atoll. The Air Force responded promptly and, on 16
March 1977, an installation team with replacement equipment arrived on a
C-5 aircraft, the first of these giants to land at the atoll (Figure 3-4). The
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FIGURE 3-4, USAF C-5 ON ENEWETAK.
Defense Communications Service terminal was relocated and rehabilitated
to provide three voice circuits and one automated data circuit using 10kilowatt, high-frequency transmitters. The Air Force communications
team began operating the new system on 16 Mav 1977.33
HONOLULU SUPPORT: MARCH 1977
The nearest sources for most logistics support were in the Honolulu
area, Logistics action officials of the agencies in Hawaii made an all-out
effort to locate materiel required to begin base camp construction and
operation, such as building materials, billeting, office, and shop
equipment. They investigated every possible local source, including the
Defense Property Disposal Region (Pacific), to assure maximumuse of
available resources at minimumadditional cost. The success of the initial
preparatory phase was due in large part to the personal efforts and
cooperation of Honolulu-area action officiats.
To coordinate mobilization actions at Enewetak Atoll, the first members
of the Joint Task Group (JTG) Commander’s staff deployed to the atoll on
5 April 1977. They were the JTG Logistics Officer, Lieutenant Colonel
John R. Sitten. Jr... USA, who became the interim Atoll Commander, and