(0
we wweuuquar eis UADA States that the AEC understands
that shot ships have been selected by number and requests that copies of these
drawings be sent to various AEC personnel as soon as possible.
Cl
wm Another 22 December TWX from Reeves to Howell of H&N states that the AEC was
informed on 2I D&cember that the Thor facility location at Johnston Istand has
been determined to be Priority #1 (new fill area) as identified at the Johnston
island conference
on 14 December.
s* Planniag*'
_
|
BL
Here Is a letter dated 22 December 196! from Starboard, now commander of
JTF8, to General Betts noting that in planning for the atmospheric tests
both laboratories have important experiments which can only be conducted
on suitable land surface areas.
Thus, since Jarvis Island appears to be
the most suitable location within the operational! area for these experiments, her requests Betts and his staff to make contacts with the intertor
and state departments and try to complete arrangements for use of Jarvis
at the earliest practicable date.
General Betts' reply on 5 January [962
notes that about | million birds inhabit Jarvis Island and, therefore, he
recommends that,
if possible, Baker [sland be carefully considered as an
alternative and that he has asked Bill Ogte. to look into its acceptability
from a technical viewpoint..
Until the decision has been made following
preferably on-site reconnaissance of both Jarvis and Baker Island, Betts
and his staff are géing ahead to obtain approval and/or concurrence from
the Departments of Interior and State for the use of either island for
a nuclear test site.
é }
‘A 22 Dec. cover letter from Starbird to the Chief of DASA addresses the
ere, ~~
3B
need for B~57 D's and states, "I understand Gen. Samuel advised you over the
telephone that, though there is a valid requirement for 10 sampler-configurated
B-57D's, we felt we could we could quite acceptably go it with 8 but absolutely
no less."
Starbird notes an attached letter which would sent this request from
DASA to the Air Staff and I am not sure how this can agree with the 20 Dec. letter
sent from Gen. Booth which gave the number as 6.