“In Feb. of 1959, members of JTF-7 further investigated this concept and
visited and inspected a Navy LSD called Fort Swelling.
After inspecting the
ship, Col. Vest and whoever else was with him made the recommendation that
future planning for the use of a LSD as the Command ship be discontinued
C. Y
and that an AGC type of vessel be employed as the Command ship, AOC and
floating hotel.
This use of an AGC would greatly enhance the communication
capability of the Commander...
I am not sure what operation they are talking
about planning for, unless it is just a general open sea test capability.
A 31 Mar. 59 memorandum within the Navy discusses the target ships which were
used on Hardtack.
They are three destroyers:
USS Killen, (DD~593), and the USS Howarth,
the USS Fullam, (DD-474), the
(DD-592}).
for Operation Willow as presently planned is detailed.
The use of Navy ships
Of.the three destroyers
only the Howarth is to be retained to be used as a target in Operation Willow
and should be retained at the present location until a target ship outfitting
activity is selected...
Willow is called a surface and underwater test
‘program for weapons effects information and this memo just addresses the
Navy's support requirements.
One other large ship is to be selected as a
requirement for exposure to weapons effects in an unmanned configuration
at a planned tactical delivery range for sub-surface nuclear ordinance.
The objective is to demonstrate ship, component and systems response to
weapons effects.
Several other ships are noted and would be used to measure
various effects and such things as severe hull damage and damage to super
structure is noted.
As for mooring, “A joint bureau of ships-CTG 7.3 study
has evolved a plan for mooring the above targets
in deep water without the
use of mooring barges as in Hardtack and at considerably less expense, effort”
and time.
A requirement for mooring barges therefore is not given at this
time since it is expected that.a mooring test about May, 1959 will demonstrate
the feasibility of improved mooring plan."