ee ee ce ee
conveyed to the site by the Grosse Point, which was used to hose them
while off duty.
Task Unit 7.3.2 (Carrier Unit)
During CASTLE, the Carrier Unit was composed of the escortI carrier
Bairoko, Marine Helicopter Transport Squadron HMR-362 with 12
HRS-2 helicopters, and Fleet Composite Squadron VC-3 with six
sair fighter aircraft.
Bikorsy
F4U-5N Cor-
The latter was divided into the Bikinif Fighter
Element, 7.3.2.1, and the Enewetak Fighter Element, 7.3.2.2, efich with
three aircraft.
The Bairoko and HMR-362 participated in all fIve shots at
Bikini and remained there when shot NECTAR was fired at Enewet§k.
Opera-
tional activities of the Bairoko are summarized in Table 67.
The most important mission of the Bairoko and HMR-362 was
fo operate
the ship-to-shore and interisland airlift at Bikini, which profided transportation to working parties before shots, and to damage-survey
and data-
recovery parties following shots.
all the
The Bairoko also transported
washdown equipment to the PPG for installation on task group slips.
In
addition, it furnished space, facilities, and assistance in sh gpboard decontamination of HMR-362 aircraft in a canvas "bathtub" erecte
flight deck.
It provided administrative and working facilitie
radsafe task unit of TG 7.1, which included a photodosimetry t
trailer housing a radiochemical analysis laboratory.
During shot-phase activities, the Bairoko evacuated TG 7.1
who required quick reentry into the area via helicopter, including radsafe
monitors and the Task Force Radiological Safety Center personn
required
to operate the photodosimetry and radiochemical analysis laboratories.
The carrier also took aboard the men and equipment of the Biki
Element, the personnel and equipment of HMR-362, and CTG 7.3.
Fighter
fter shot
BRAVO on 1 March, the Bairoko removed the Bikini Fighter Eleme
to Enewe-
tak, where it operated for the remainder of CASTLE.
CTG 7.3
On 6 Marc
shifted his flag to the Curtiss because of overcrowding on the
Bairoko.
Due to the contamination on Eneman Island, HMR-362 continued tof
berth and
349