Misplaced Pages

#281718

68-754: Runit Island ( / ˈ r uː n ɪ t / ) is one of forty islands of the Enewetak Atoll of the Marshall Islands in the Pacific Ocean . The island is the site of a radioactive waste repository left by the United States after it conducted a series of nuclear tests on Enewetak Atoll between 1946 and 1958. There are ongoing concerns around deterioration of the waste site and a potential radioactive spill. The Runit Dome , also called Cactus Dome or locally "the Tomb",

136-459: A US$ 150 million trust fund. The fund was intended to generate US$ 18 million a year, which would be payable to claimants on an agreed-upon schedule. If the US$ 18 million a year generated by the fund was not enough to cover claims, the principal of the fund could be used. A Marshall Islands Nuclear Claims Tribunal was established to adjudicate claims. In 2000, the tribunal made a compensation award to

204-621: A bulletin newspaper to keep the Troops up-to-date at the base. After completion, the Construction Battalion Maintenance Unit 608 (CBMU 608) took over the day-to-day operation and Maintenance of the center. Naval Base Eniwetok was part of the vast Naval Base Marshall Islands . On Parry Island the 110th Battalion Seabees repaired and improved the Parry Island Seaplane Base captured from Japanese forces. Parry Island

272-420: A lagoon circled by 40 islands in a 80 kilometres (50 mi) circumference . The islands have less than 5.85 square kilometres (2.26 sq mi) of land only a few feet above sea level. The deep lagoon in the atoll offers excellent fleet anchorage for the largest ships. The lagoon has only three entrances, providing excellent control and protection. After World War I Eniwetok became part of Japan under

340-750: A large destroyer base, with destroyer tenders . These ships could do minor repair work with major work done at the Eniwetok repair depot. Many US Navy submarines were used in the Pacific War. The submarine attacked warships and sank supply ships that were needed by Japan to resupply their many bases in the Pacific. US subs also did reconnaissance patrols, landed guerrilla special forces and search and rescue missions for downed aircrew mem. US submarine had long ranges, but needed to be resupplied with fuel, food, torpedoes and deck gun shells . At Naval Base Eniwetok

408-425: A large ship and boat repair depot at Naval Base Eniwetok. The repair depot provided the fleet with support to keep ships and subs tactically available in the Pacific War with the repair and supply depot, rather than ships having to return to continental United States . The Navy had built special auxiliary floating drydocks that were able to repair battle damage to even the largest ships and do regular maintenance in

476-740: A major US Naval Advance Base . The USS Cascade (AD-16) became the flagship of Service Squadron 4 and Service Squadron 10. A Service Squadron is a floating Naval Base, with all the support a land base would give. In the Service Squadron were all the supplies and repair depot support the fleet needed. The Service Squadron had: Fleet Oilers (AO), Gasoline Tanker (AOG), Repair Ships (AR), Ammunition ships (AE), Destroyer Tenders (AD), Tugboats , Barges , Seaplane tenders , hospital ship (AH), Net laying ships (AN), barracks ships (APL), Small Auxiliary Floating Dry Docks , stores ship and Submarine tenders (AS). By July 1944 there were about 488 at

544-469: Is a 115 m (377 ft) diameter, 46 cm (18 in) thick dome of concrete at sea level , encapsulating an estimated 73,000 m (95,000 cu yd) of radioactive debris, including some plutonium-239 . The debris stems from nuclear tests conducted in the Enewetak Atoll by the United States between 1946 and 1958. From 1977 to 1980, loose waste and topsoil from six different islands in

612-461: Is also known as: Medren, Elmer, Igem, Heartstrings, and Overbuilt at 11°24′05″N 162°22′12″E  /  11.401322°N 162.370072°E  / 11.401322; 162.370072 . The local inhabitants, Micronesians , at Eniwetok were restricted to the smaller islands of Biijiri, Aomen , and the Rojoa complex. Aomen (Aranit, Ulie) codename was Sally. Biijiri, Bijire codename was Tilda. One of

680-453: Is named after Lt. John H. Stickell, a US Navy and former RAF pilot. John H. Stickell was killed in 1944 in action against the Jaluit Atoll . Seabees built a large tank farm with twelve 1,000-barrel tanks to fuel the bombers with aviation gasoline at Stickell Field. Tankers in the lagoon could refill the tanks by a floating pipeline that was 1,200 feet long at a tanker mooring. The tank farm

748-482: The Marshall Islanders ). Enewetak Atoll formed atop a seamount . The seamount was formed in the late Cretaceous . This seamount is now about 1,400 meters (4,600 ft) below sea level. It is made of basalt , and its depth is due to a general subsidence of the entire region and not because of erosion . Enewetak has a mean elevation above sea level of 3 meters (9.8 ft). Humans have inhabited

SECTION 10

#1732851669282

816-680: The South Seas Mandate . In November 1942 the Empire of Japan built an airfield on Enewetak Atoll's Engebi Island , to refuel and support planes at Truk . In the United States' Marshall Islands campaign the US took control of the Marshall Islands , the Imperial Japanese Army sent the 1st Amphibious Brigade with 2,586 men to defend the base on Engebi Island and Parry Island. In the Battle of Eniwetok

884-399: The radioactive cloud to test onboard samples. B-17 mother ships controlled the drones while flying within visual distance of them. In all, 16 to 20 B-17s took part in this operation, of which half were controlling aircraft and half were drones. To examine the explosion clouds of the nuclear bombs in 1957/58, several rockets (mostly from rockoons ) were launched. One USAF airman Jimmy Robinson

952-547: The 110th Naval Construction Battalion arrived on February 21 and 27 to begin construction of Stickell Field. It had two taxiways and a 6,800-by-400-foot (2,070 by 120 m) runway. In June 1945, the 67th CB arrived to build a 35,000 man recreation center to be turned over to CBMU 608. In 1950, John C. Woods , who executed the Nazi war criminals convicted at the Nuremberg Trials , was accidentally electrocuted there. After

1020-559: The 110th Naval Construction Battalion expanded the base, building a coral-surfaced parking area and shops for minor aircraft and engine overhaul. A marine ways was installed on a Japanese pier and boat-repair shops were also erected. US Navy and Marine units based at Parry Island included: From 1958 through 1960 the United States installed the Missile Impact Location System (MILS) in the Navy managed Pacific Missile Range, later

1088-425: The 67th Naval Construction Battalion arrived and built a 35,000-man recreation center on Parry Island. Parry Island had mark off swimming beaches. At the recreation center in the atoll, the Navy had an ice cream barge that could make up to 500 gallons of ice cream for the troops in 8 hours. The ice cream barge also would make fresh bread products. The base officer's club was built on Parry Island. The base printed

1156-529: The Air Force managed Western Range , to localize the splash downs of test missile nose cones. MILS was developed and installed by the same entities that had completed the first phase of the Atlantic and U.S. West Coast SOSUS systems. A MILS installation, consisting of both a target array for precision location and a broad ocean area system for good positions outside the target area, was installed at Eniwetok as part of

1224-460: The Corsairs. Charles Lindbergh helped improve the maximum ordnance load of the Corsairs. By June 1944, the major projects on Engebi had been completed and Construction Battalion Maintenance Unit 594, CBMU 594, took over. Engebi Island was given the code name Janet and is at 11°39′46″N 162°14′24″E  /  11.662887°N 162.240124°E  / 11.662887; 162.240124 . The airfield

1292-462: The Enewetak Atoll was transported to the site and mixed with concrete to seal the nuclear blast crater created by the Cactus test. Four thousand US servicemen were involved in the cleanup from this test, and it took three years to complete. The waste-filled crater was finally entombed in concrete . In 1982, a US government task force raised concern about a probable breach if a severe typhoon were to hit

1360-455: The Enewetak atoll, the soil and the lagoon water surrounding the structure now contain a higher level of radioactivity than the debris of the dome itself, so even in the event of a total collapse, the radiation dose delivered to the local resident population or marine environment should not change significantly. Concern primarily lies in the rapid tidal response to the height of the water beneath

1428-605: The Navy set up a floating submarine base in the atoll . The submarine tenders : USS Sperry (AS-12) and USS Beaver were stationed in the atoll to supply the submarines. While the submarine was being resupplied, and repaired if needed, crews could have a break ( R&R ) at the atoll's fleet recreation center. Some of the subs stationed at the base were: USS Tunny (SS-282) , USS Salmon (SS-182) , USS Darter (SS-227) , USS Spearfish (SS-190) , USS Scabbardfish (SS-397) , USS Sargo (SS-188) , USS Thresher (SS-200) , USS Tilefish (SS-307) and USS S-35 (SS-140) . Naval Base Eniwetok

SECTION 20

#1732851669282

1496-689: The South Pacific: "Loew’s Malaria Circuit" and "the Pineapple Circuit". Hope did 150 shows in the two months they were on the 1944 road trip. Hope's 1944 show visited Naval Base Pearl Harbor Hawaii at the Nimitz Bowl , Eniwetok, Naval Base Cairns , Green Islands , Bougainville , Milner Bay, Naval Base Treasury Islands , Naval Base Mios Woendi called Wendy Island, and Naval Base Kwajalein . Troops at sea on ships and boats need R&R , so in June 1945,

1564-550: The U.S. exhumed the bodies of United States servicemen killed in the Battle of Enewetak and returned them to the United States to be re-buried by their families. 43 nuclear tests were fired at Enewetak from 1948 to 1958. The first hydrogen bomb test, code-named Ivy Mike , occurred in late 1952 as part of Operation Ivy ; it vaporized the islet of Elugelab , It also created two new elements : Fermium and Einsteinium . This test included B-17 Flying Fortress drones to fly through

1632-480: The US Army personnel who participated in the dome construction and transport of radioactive materials claim that illnesses that developed years later are a result of having been exposed without protection. Some of them have died of cancer and others have become sick. The US government denies that there is any connection between the work on the island and the health problems and has so far refused to offer any compensation for

1700-470: The US took Eniwetok starting on 17 February 1944 and ending 23 February. The action took place on three islands: Engebi, Parry and Eniwetok, by the US 22nd Marines and the Army's 106th Infantry . Medical dispensaries were built on each of the main islands: Eniwetok, Engebi, and Parry islands, with a total of 200 beds. On Engebi Island was a runway built by Japan. The US Army 47th Engineers repaired and improved

1768-399: The anchorage at Enewetok became a major US Naval Advance Base with Service Squadron 4 and Service Squadron 10 stationed in the lagoon. The daily average of ships present during the first half of July 1944 was 488; during the second half of July, the daily average number of ships at Enewetak was 283. Naval Base Eniwetok was part of the vast Naval Base Marshall Islands . US Navy Seabees of

1836-509: The atoll since about 1,000 B.C. The islands were first settled by Austronesian islanders. The first European colonizers to Enewetak, Spanish explorer Álvaro de Saavedra Cerón , arrived on 10 October 1529. He called the island " Los Jardines " (The Gardens). In 1794, sailors aboard the British merchant sloop Walpole called the islands "Brown's Range" (thus, the Japanese name "Brown Atoll"). It

1904-479: The base, after a fleet depart there were 283. ships. Seabes built a signal tower at the entrance to the lagoon, that became the Harbor Entrance Control Post (H.E.C.P.), to direct port traffic. The USS Vega (AK-17) was used to assemble floating pontoon barges. Shipping Pontoons flat and unassembled took a lot less space. Outboard engines were added to many barges for moving supplies in the atoll. As

1972-608: The cleanup project was US$ 239 million. The United States government declared the southern and western islands in the atoll safe for habitation in 1980, and residents of Enewetak returned that same year. The military members who participated in that cleanup mission are suffering from many health issues, but the U.S. Government refused to provide health coverage until 2022 with the passage of the Honoring our PACT Act . The 2000 environmental restoration award included funds for additional cleanup of radioactivity on Enewetak. Rather than scrape

2040-413: The community. Men from the 110th Naval Construction Battalion arrived on Eniwetok between 21 and 27 February 1944 and began clearing the island for construction of a bomber airfield. A 2,100-meter (6,900 ft) by 120-meter (390 ft) runway with taxiways and supporting facilities was built. The first plane landed on 11 March. By 5 April the first operational bombing mission was conducted. The base

2108-477: The condition of the structure and develop a repair plan during the first half of 2020. The report was published in June 2020. In June 2020, the US Department of Energy released a report stating that the dome is in no immediate danger of collapse or breach and that the radioactive material within is not expected to have any measurable adverse effect on the surrounding environment for the next twenty years. Some of

Runit Island - Misplaced Pages Continue

2176-511: The damage. The Parry Island seaplane base had only one seaplane ramp and it was not usable at low tide. Most of the seaplane base operations were carried out by seaplane tenders in the lagoon. Seaplanes did reconnaissance patrols and search, also rescue missions for downed aircrew men and survivors of sunk ships. The most common seaplanes at the base were Consolidated PBY Catalina and Martin PBM Mariner . The seaplane base take off and landing

2244-547: The debris pile, with the potential for contamination of the groundwater supply with radionuclides. One particular concern is that, in order to save costs, the original plan to line the porous bottom crater with concrete was abandoned. Since the bottom of the crater consists of permeable soil, there is seawater inside the dome. However, as the Department of Energy report stated, the released radionuclides will be very rapidly diluted and should not cause any elevated radioactive risk for

2312-473: The dome, causing radioactive material to leak out. Section 177 of the 1983 Compact of Free Association between the governments of the United States and the Marshall Islands establishes a process for Marshallese to make a claim against the United States government as a result of damage and injury caused by nuclear testing. That same year, an agreement was signed to implement Section 177, which established

2380-651: The east, no aviation personnel were stationed there and the island had only token defenses. When the Gilberts fell to the United States, the Imperial Japanese Army assigned defense of the atoll to the 1st Amphibious Brigade , formed from the 3rd Independent Garrison, which had previously been stationed in Manchukuo . The 1st Amphibious Brigade arrived on January 4, 1944. Some 2,586 of its 3,940 men were left to defend Eniwetok Atoll, supplemented by aviation personnel, civilian employees, and laborers. However, they were unable to finish

2448-659: The end of 2008 and May 2010. Due to stock market losses, payments rates that have outstripped fund income, and other issues, the fund was nearly exhausted, as of May 2010, and unable to make any additional awards or payments. A lawsuit by Marshallese arguing that "changed circumstances" made Nuclear Claims Tribunal unable to make just compensation was dismissed by the Supreme Court of the United States in April 2010. Marshall Islands Public School System operates Enewetak Elementary School. Marshall Islands High School on Majuro serves

2516-581: The end of World War II, Enewetak came under the control of the United States as part of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands , until the independence of the Marshall Islands in 1986. During its tenure, the United States evacuated the local residents many times, often involuntarily. The atoll was used for nuclear testing , as part of the Pacific Proving Grounds . Before testing commenced,

2584-399: The field saving ships trans-pacific travel time for repair. Supply store ships were also at the base with the parts needed to keep the fleet ready. The USS Endymion (ARL-9) was torpedoed and had temporary repairs made at Eniwetok. In September 944 a strong westerly storm hit Eniwetok, damaging many boats and barges and driving high-speed target rafts ashore. The depot worked overtime to repair

2652-687: The fighting front moved east and closer to Japan, Service Squadron 10 was too far away from the action. Service Squadron 10 started departing Enewetak Atoll on 4 October 1944 for Naval Base Ulithi arriving on the 15th. Ulithi is 1,538 miles east of Eniwetok. Squadron 10 was moved to Ulithi in four convoys, tugboats returning to move non-self-propelled craft for each trips. Non-self-propelled craft included: APL-14 troopsship, 7 concrete 3,000-ton storage barges, 19 oil/ water barges, 17 gasoline barges, 24 500-ton barges with ammunition, freight, spare parts, radio, medical, mail, refrigerated food, etc. The Service Squadron 10 move took two weeks. The US Navy set up

2720-521: The first attack mission was carried out on 5 April. Seabees built air facilities that included a major engine overhaul depot, and barracks for Army aviation personnel with quonset huts . The most common bombers were Consolidated B-24 Liberator and North American B-25 Mitchell . The US Navy also used Stickell Field, with unit VD-3 flying PB4Y, Navy Liberator. The Navy had stationed at base unit VB-109, VD-4 and VPB-109 flying Lockheed Ventura Harpoon-PV-1 and Consolidated PB4Y-2 Privateer . Stickell Field

2788-575: The fortifications before the American attack came in February. During the ensuing Battle of Eniwetok , the Americans captured Enewetak in a five-day amphibious operation. Fighting mainly took place on Engebi Islet, site of the most important Japanese installation, although some combat occurred on the main islet of Enewetak itself and on Parry Island, where there was a Japanese seaplane base. Following its capture,

Runit Island - Misplaced Pages Continue

2856-611: The illnesses associated with the construction of Runit Dome. Enewetak Atoll It was held by the Japanese from 1914 until its capture by the United States in February 1944 during World War II , then became Naval Base Eniwetok . Nuclear testing by the US totaling the equivalent of over 30 megatons of TNT took place during the Cold War ; in 1977–1980, a concrete dome (the Runit Dome)

2924-471: The island. In 2013, a report by the US Department of Energy found that the concrete dome had weathered with minor cracking of the structure. However, the soil around the dome was found to be more contaminated than its contents, so a breach could not increase the radiation levels by any means. Because the cleaning operation in the 1970s only removed an estimated 0.8 percent of the total transuranic waste in

2992-463: The islands with Portland cement and buried it in an atomic blast crater on the northern end of the atoll's Runit Island . The material was placed in the 9.1-meter (30 ft) deep, 110-meter (360 ft) wide crater created by the May 5, 1958, " Cactus " nuclear weapons test. A dome composed of 358 concrete panels, each 46 centimeters (18 in) thick, was constructed over the material. The final cost of

3060-525: The marine environment, compared to what is already experienced. Leaking and breaching of the dome could however disperse plutonium , a radioactive element that is also a toxic heavy metal . An investigative report by the Los Angeles Times in November 2019 reignited fears of the dome cracking and releasing radioactive material into the soil and surrounding water. The DOE was directed by Congress to assess

3128-653: The moorings at Eniwetok. To help protect the base and shipping around the base, Naval Base Eniwetok had a fleet of submarine chasers . The submarine chasers were supported by a submarine chaser tender ship: the USS Mindanao (ARG-3) was stationed at Eniwetok to support the fleet of submarine chasers and some crash boats . crash boats were fast boats use to rescue downed airmen. Some of the submarine chasers served at Eniwetok : PC-1080, USS PC-1137 , USS PC-1142 , USS PC-1136 , USS PGM-18 , USS PC-1138 , USS Winnemucca (PC-1145) , and USS PC-598 . Naval Base Eniwetok

3196-463: The navigational markers for entrance and path through the atoll. The Fifth Fleet also used Naval Base Majuro and Naval Base Ulithi for resupply. After Naval Base Guam was re-established some of Seron Ten ships departed to support the new base there. The United States Coast Guard built a LORAN (Long Range Navigational Signal) station at Eniwetok in January 1951. The station closed 1978, as in 1978

3264-444: The people of Enewetak consisting of US$ 107.8 million for environmental restoration; US$ 244 million in damages to cover economic losses caused by loss of access and use of the atoll; and US$ 34 million for hardship and suffering. In addition, as of the end of 2008, another US$ 96.658 million in individual damage awards were made. Only US$ 73.526 million of the individual claims award has been paid, however, and no new awards were made between

3332-613: The potassium decontamination project was US$ 103.3 million. A report by the US Congressional Research Service projects that the majority of the atoll will be fit for human habitation by 2026–2027, after nuclear decay, de-contamination and environmental remediation efforts create sufficient dose reductions. However, in November 2017, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported that rising sea levels caused by climate change are seeping inside

3400-536: The runway became Enewetak Auxiliary Airfield , now an emergency landing runway. Hal Kanter built and ran Armed Forces Radio Service radio station on Naval Base Eniwetok. In 1944 Bob Hope put on a Bob Hope Show on Eniwetok Island. In the USO military tour there were still wrecked planes and equipment in the background. Hope had Jerry Colona and Frances Langford sing on stage. Patty Thomas danced and musician guitarist Tony Romano played. Hope called his 1944 tour of

3468-604: The runway starting February 1944 and completing 10 March. The Engebi Airfield was named Wrigley Airfield . Four fighter squadrons used the 3,950-foot by 225-foot runway. At the airbase were an engine-overhaul shop and a 146,000 gallons aviation-gasoline tank farm. The Army had the 41st Bomber Group and 396th Bomber Squadron flying B-25. Marine Aircraft Group 31 and VMF-113 also used the Engebi Airfield, flying Vought F4U Corsair . In September 1944 Charles Lindbergh visited Engebi Airfield and United States Marine Corps flew

SECTION 50

#1732851669282

3536-854: The ship's stores before returning to a US Naval Advance Base . Some came to Eniwetok repair depot to be repaired. Unit base at Eniwetok seaplane base VP-13 , VP-16 , VP-21 , VP-23 , VP-MS-6 , VP-102 , VP-202 VPB-19, and VPB-22. Some seaplane tenders at Naval Base Eniwetok: Hundreds of US Navy destroyers were used in the Pacific war. Destroyers were used to protect capital ships like aircraft carriers , battleships and heavy cruisers . Destroyers were used to screen and protect convoy of ships . Destroyers were used to hunt submarines and protect amphibious landings at beaches. Destroyers had anti-aircraft guns, radar , and forward-launched ASW weapons, dual-purpose guns , depth charges , and torpedoes. Destroyers needed to be restocked with food, fuel, supplies, and weaponss to keep operational. Eniwetok had

3604-408: The small islands, that was away from the base and inhabitants, for safety, was used as an ammunition depot. Seabees of the 126th Battalion built a second fleet recreation center on Runit Island, codename Hawthorne, six weeks later it was crated up and shipped to Naval Base Ulithi. The 126th Battalion also built facilities on Japtan, codename, David. The deep lagoon the Navy set up fleet anchorage and

3672-535: The southern anchorage, later moved to eastern anchorage. Eniwetok was the staging for the Marianas invasion , three hundred vessels supplied before departure. VPB-13 was staged at Eniwetok for weeks before the Guam campaign. Eniwetok also had spare fighter planes and parts for the aircraft carriers . The USS Bowditch (AG-30) had surveyed the lagoon to find the best mooring for large and small ships. USS Bowditch also placed

3740-402: The start of World War II. The atoll, together with other parts of Marshall Islands located to the west of 164°E, was placed under the governance of Pohnpei district during the Japanese administration period, separately from the rest of the Marshall Islands. In November 1942, the Japanese built an airfield on Engebi Island. As they used it only for refueling planes between Truk and islands to

3808-600: The system supporting Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) tests. Other Pacific MILS shore terminals were at the Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay supporting Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile (IRBM) tests with impact areas northeast of Hawaii and the other ICBM test support systems at Midway Island and Wake Island . [REDACTED]  This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency Naval Base Eniwetok Naval Base Eniwetok

3876-405: The target practice the airbase would provide towed target and also had drone planes tow targets for safety. 3,500 troops were stationed on Eniwetok Island in 1944. Naval Base Eniwetok Fleet Post Office Box# was 3237. Eniwetok Island was given the code name Fred at 11°20′21″N 162°19′21″E  /  11.339243°N 162.322457°E  / 11.339243; 162.322457 . After the war,

3944-428: The topsoil off, replace it with clean topsoil, and create another radioactive waste repository dome at some site on the atoll (a project estimated to cost US$ 947 million), most areas still contaminated on Enewetak were treated with potassium . Soil that could not be effectively treated for human use was removed and used as fill for a causeway connecting the two main islands of the atoll (Enewetak and Parry). The cost of

4012-470: Was a major United States Navy base located at Enewetak Atoll in the Marshall Islands , during World War II . The base was built to support the island-hopping strategy used by allied nations fighting the Empire of Japan in the Pacific War . During 1944-5 Eniwetok was one of the busiest naval bases in the world with over 488 ships. Enewetak (also spelled Eniwetok) Atoll is a large coral atoll with

4080-490: Was a spot was marked off in the atoll. The seaplanes were supported by a floating base of seaplane tenders. Seaplane tenders had stores to supply: food, fuel, ammo, spare parts. The seaplane tender also had housing and mess halls for the aircrew while the seaplane was being serviced. Aircrew on leave could go to Eniwetok's fleet recreation center. Some seaplane tenders were stationed at Eniwetok seaplane base for months. Other seaplane tenders came to Naval Base Eniwetok to resupply

4148-519: Was abandoned at the end the war. US Navy Seabees with the 110th Naval Construction Battalion arrived at Eniwetok starting 21 February 1944. The Seabee's first task was clearing the runway of battle damage and repairing the runway to be a bomber airbase for the United States Army Air Forces . The completed runway, Stickell Field, was 6,800-by-400-foot (2,070 by 120 m) wide on Eniwetok Island. The first plane landed on 11 March, and

SECTION 60

#1732851669282

4216-463: Was built on Runit Island to deposit radioactive soil and debris. The Runit Dome is deteriorating and could be breached by a typhoon, though the sediments in the lagoon are even more radioactive than those which are contained. The U.S. government referred to the atoll as "Eniwetok" until 1974, when it changed its official spelling to "Enewetak" (along with many other Marshall Islands place names , to more properly reflect their pronunciation by

4284-422: Was completed by May 1944. It was partly damaged when a Landing craft tank , LCT(5)-315, had an explosion on 23 March 1944. Seabees also built two (80-foot and 150-foot) coral-fill piers out into the lagoon on Eniwetok Island for unloading supplies. They also built tow beach ramps for unloading LCTs. In addition Seabees built two berths that were used for ships to dock and do anti-aircraft target practice. For

4352-417: Was later named for Lieutenant John H. Stickell . In mid-September 1944 operations at Wrigley Airfield on Engebi Island were transferred to Eniwetok. US Navy and Marine units based at Eniwetok included: The airstrip is now abandoned and its surface partially covered by sand. The Imperial Japanese Navy had developed a seaplane base on Parry Island. Following its capture on 22 February, Seabee's from

4420-493: Was lost at sea during the tests. Robinson's F-84 Thunderjet crashed and sank 3.5 miles (5.6 km) short of the island. Robinson's body was never recovered. A radiological survey of Enewetak was conducted from 1972 to 1973. In 1977, the United States military began decontamination of Enewetak and other islands. During the three-year, US$ 100 million cleanup process, the military mixed more than 80,000 cubic meters (100,000 cu yd) of contaminated soil and debris from

4488-431: Was used as a major forward Naval hospital. US Navy Hospital ships were stationed Naval Base Eniwetok during parts of the war and some were stationed shortly as they joined staging for upcoming invasions. Hospital ships also were able to resupply and refuel at the base. To protect the many ships at Eniwetok the Navy had anti-torpedo net installed. The ship USS Tuscana (AKN-3) supplied the nets. The ships also installed

4556-601: Was used for the Admiral Raymond A. Spruance 's United States Fifth Fleet anchorage. Ships in the Fifth Fleet were able to resupply, and refuel from Seron Ten , (Service Squadron 10). Resupply included food, freshwater for small crafts, spare parts and ammunition. Troops were able to have liberty leave at the fleet recreation. Eniwetok was used for staging upcoming missions. Eniwetok had a depot, tenders and repair ships for servicing amphibious ships and amphibious crafts in

4624-656: Was visited by about a dozen ships before the establishment of the German colony of the Marshall Islands in 1885. With the rest of the Marshalls, Enewetak was captured by the Imperial Japanese Navy in 1914, during World War I and mandated to the Empire of Japan by the League of Nations in 1920. The Japanese administered the island under the South Seas Mandate , but mostly left affairs in hands of traditional local leaders until

#281718