considered as a necessity in any future atomic tests conducted
in a locality where landing facilities can be improvised.
Also,
the usefulness of helicopters as a means of transporting personnel
and equipment to localities not accessible by light aircraft should
not be overlooked in future planning.
|
REHEARSALS
The schedule of operations outlined in the Scientific Operating
Plan (Task Group 7.1) naturally exercised a primary influence on the
timing of all operations throughout the task force.
This schedule
was oarefully coordinated withall task groups and ample proof of
its adequacy was evidenced by the success of the entire operation.
Its only weakness of any consequence (from the viewpoint of the air
operation) was the short interval of time intervening between the
full-scale rehearsal and the actual test.
|
As a matter of fact, this weakness had no injurious effect m
the undertaking, but only because a second rehearsal prior to Xray
day was not considered necessary and because the air rehearsals
scheduled on Peter Yoke and Peter Zebra days were cancelled.
How-
ever, the amount of work required to guarantee the participation of
all scheduled aircraft in a test of this nature miles it almost
mandatory that the air units be permitted to "stand dow" at least
sixty (60) hours prior to the time of takeoff on test operatims.
Consequently, it appears important in future operations to schedule
96
Section VIII