i OES;ae
wen
+
Sa:
SOUTH RUNIT MOBILIZATION: JUNE-JULY 1977
'
4.
soe
oe
169
Mobiltzation
RADIOLOGICAL CLEANUP OF ENEWETAK ATOLL
|
ogeeBE r-
168
aot q
wet
7
vacua
TA aS en ad ee
'
Since containment of contaminated soil and debris was to be
accomplished on northern Runit, certain basic facilities were to be
established on the uncontaminated southern end of the island to support
that operation. Preliminary design concepts for construction of crater
containment support facilities at the Runit work site were developed by
personnel of an Army Engineer Brigade at the Second Enewetak Planning
Conference. The equipment specifications assumed that new commercial
equipment would be procured with MILCON funds, despite
net ee,
oe me
Congressional and DOD direction to make use of existing DOD
i
equipment. Identification and location of suitable substitutes in DOD
equipment pools required an exhaustive effort by Field Command
engineers and logisticians and by Headquarters DNA supply personnel.
Much of the needed equipment was found in Navy inventories. Not all of
the substitutes were fully satisfactory when put into operation; however,
most of the Runit crater containment operation was performed with
existing DOD equipment, despite significant maintenance and operational
problems, described in Chapter 8.
Construction offacilities on south Runit was severely constrained until
it could be determined if there was a contaminated burial site near the Erie
ground zero, and until the south end of the island could be declared
radiologically clean. Until this was accomplished, troops erecting the
administrative building were required to wear full-face masks, suits,
ee ee
gloves, and rubber boots. Despite the 90-degree heat and the discomfort
.
os
|
1
decontamination building, latrine, and concrete slabs for a boat ramp had
been prefabricated at Enewetak Camp for installation on south Runit.79
MOBILIZATION CONTINUES: JULY-NOVEMBER 1977
:
'
:
.
roofed the structure before the area was declared safe and the restrictions
were lifted on 15 July 1977 (Figure 3-16).77.78 Meanwhile, a
Muchof the aggregate for Runit site construction was hauled from the
stockpile at Enjebi. As in the case of Lojwa, Runit construction was
significantly slowed by lack of certain critical building materials.
m
'
of wearing anticontamination gear, the crew had completely framed and
.
aie
|
,
FIGURE 3-15. INSITU VAN (IMP),
~
;
°
;
B
i F
e
i
}
.
|
.
i
}
f
}
|
.
f
L
American Racer sailed were delivered by a special COMNAVSURFPAC
sealift consisting of the USS POINT DEFIANCE and USS FREDERICK.
The ships called at Oakland, California, for that cargo, after loading
landing craft and other Navy cargo at San Diego and demolition materialat
Sea! Beach, California. More equipment and supplies were loaded at Pearl