Messing.
All project personnel were fed in mess halls operated by the base support contractor,:
H&N. The reputation H&N had earned during the thirty previous years for serving excellent,
morale-building meals in their Pacifie operations was sustained and appreciated by all.
Recreation.
In an isolated location like Enewetak, recreation and other activities to occupy spare
time are very important to the morale of personnel. This was, of course, recognized by JTG.
Considerable effort and resources were devoted to providing varied recreational opportunities for all
hands. The following were available to all without charge:
@e
e
e@
e
e
e
e@
e
e
Movies
Television (recorded network shows)
Radio (music, news, sports)
Library
Photographic darkroom
6Softball
Volleyball
©Basketball
Tennis
e
e
e
e
e
e
e
Ping Pong
Weight lifting, exercise room
Swimming ~ snorkeling and scuba
Pool
Running (mini-marathons)
Fishing
Boating - motorand sailing
e
Bicycling
®
e
Horseshoes
Recorded music; musical instruments
Approximately quarterly, a travelling show of USO entertainers visited Enewetak and gave live
performances that were always greeted enthusiastically by project personnel
Medical. The USAF element operated infirmaries on both Enewetak Island and at Ursula. A
physician and medical technicians were located at each site. Medical care was provided to all
project personnel. An Army helicopter was used to transport emergency cases from accidentsites to
the main infirmary. Cases of injury or sickness that were beyond the capabilities of the facilities at
Enewetak were evacuated to military hospitals by aircraft from the Military Airlift Command (MAC).
PO and BX.
The USAF element operated post offices at both the Enewetak and Ursula camps,
handling official and personal mail. Mail usually arrived on-atoll each Tuesday and Friday by
scheduled MAC flights. Outgoing mail was dispatched on flights returning to Honolulu, usually
Wednesday and Friday.
The Air Force also operated an Armed Forces Base Exchange (BX) open to all project personnel.
Personal articles, reading materials, radios, TVs, clothing, photo supplies, ete., were available for
purchase.
Church
There were chapels on both Enewetak Island and at Ursula. An Army chaplain conducted services in
both locations each week and was available to counsel any military or civilian member of the project
needing advice on personal problems.
Transportation-On-Atoll
Boat. The U.S. Navy element operated and maintained a fleet of about 25 boats that provided
transportation for people, supplies and equipment between Enewetak, Ursula, and the work
islands. Certain of these craft were devoted to hauling contaminated soil and debris to the
disposal sites.
ERSP personnel, equipment and soil samples were transported by:
e
LCU (Landing Craft Utility) and LCM (Landing Craft Medium, two sizes). These boats had
droppable front-end ramps. IMPs and other motor vehicles were moved between islands on
these crafts.
e
Jd-Boat.
An enclosed water taxi that carried passengers between Enewetak and Ursula
Travel time: 1-1/4 hours.
79