From the experience gained during this operation it ia believed that
the complete sight-muster at both atolls is no longer an operational necessity.
A muster at the atoll where a shot is scheduled is sufficient to assure safety
of all personnel.
Evacuation.
The extent of personnel evacuation at Eniwetok and Bikini
Atolls depended on the magnitude of the shot.
The maximum at Eniwetok
Atoll involved withdrawal of all personnel from the upper islands to Japtan,
Parry, and Eniwetok, with a limited number of project personnel permitted
on Aniyaanii.
At Bikini personnel were generally evacuated to Enyu Island; however,
on large shots all personne] (except the arming party, which was located in
Station 70 on Enyu Isiand) were evacuated aboard ship. When in a D-1
status, the average evacuation time at Bikini, following the evening weather
briefing, was 5 to 6 hr.
In general, afloat housing at Bikini was assigned as follows:
USS Boxer (CVS-21) - Joint Task Force Seven, TG 7.3, TG 7.4, and
TG 7.5 Commanders and Staffs, TG 7.1 Command and Staff Sections, key
scientific personnel, Rad-Safe team, and persons scheduled for early re-entry
and recovery by helicopter. The USS Monticello (LSD-35) was substituted
for the Boxer in July and August, when the Boxer was at Johnston Island.
USNS Ainsworth (TAP-181) - J-1 and J-3 representatives, project personnel, and Holmes and Narver,
Assignment of berthing space (cabin and troop) was as follows:
Ship
Agency Making
Berthing Assignments
When Berthing
Assiguments Were Made
USS Boxer
J-1 Bikini
D-3
Other ships
Representative of
Ship's Captain
Upon embarkation
USNS Ainsworth
Same as above
Same as above
For the Teak and Orange events at Johnston Island, ail personnel ex-
cept those required in manned stations ashore were evacuated aboard ship.
The USS Boxer was the primary ship used for evacuation, but there were a
small number of individuals on various project ships. The evacuation procedures used were the same as those at Bikini.
The number of personnel evacuated to ships at Bikini Atoll and Johnston
Island varied with project participation. The peak number of personnel evac
uated was 178 officer grade personnel and 67 enlisted grade personne: ror
the Teak event. Numbers cvacusated co ships were substantiaily (6wer cfian
would have been required if it had been necessary to operate from ship for
prolonged periods. Except for the carrier, which was badly overcrowded,
billeting facilities afloat were adequate.
For Teak and Orange, cots were
placed on the hangar deck of the carrier to handle the overflow of personnel
when all cabin spaces were filled. Utilizing the hangar deck for this purpose ia satisfactory for billeting personnel overnight, or for emergencies,
but it would not have been satisfactory if it had been necessary to operate
from afloat for an extended period of time.
Task Groups 7.3 and 7.5 maintained a capability to evacuate all personnel at Eniwetok, Bikini, and Johnston Island aboard vessels in event of
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