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 Between tests, Saidor operated from Bikini Lagoon with drone boat control and photographic unit personnel on board. Except on ABLE and BAKER days, Orca was stationed at Bikini as a terminal and service unit for transport seaplanes. The ship maintained seaplane runways and furnished overhaul servicing required for all planes on turn-around service (Reference C.9.206, p. V-B-10).

Task Group 1.7 (Destroyer Surface Patrol Group)

TG 1.7 performed the following tasks during CROSSROADS:


 * Furnished radsafe patrols


 * Anchored one ship at Bikini Atoll lagoon entrance, except when it was evacuated, and supplied arrival information to incoming vessels


 * Advised the Senior Officer Present Afloat (SOPA) about each arrival and departure from Bikini Lagoon


 * Deployed two destroyers to act as approach markers for the bombing aircraft in test ABLE.

TG 1.7 was composed of only one task unit, TU 1.7.1 (Destroyer Squadron Unit) and contained the following ships.


 * Destroyer Division 71
 * USS Barton (DD-722) (Flagship)
 * USS Laffey (DD-724)
 * USS Lowry (DD-770)
 * USS O'Brien (DD-725)
 * USS Walke (DD-723)


 * Destroyer Division 72
 * USS Allen M. Sumner (DD-692)
 * USS Ingraham (DD-694)
 * USS Moale (DD-693)
 * USS Robert K. Huntington (DD-781)

Task Group 1.8 (Service Group)

This task group had the following responsibilities:


 * Base facilities and services including repair, fuel, water, mail service (USS LST-861); general supply, provisions, hospital, and recreation (USS LST-388)


 * Island commander functions for land areas of Bikini Atoll, such as policing recreational areas, conducting shore patrol, and controlling boat traffic at landings


 * Boat services


 * Medical and hospital services


 * Quarters and laboratory facilities on USS Fulton (AS-11) for the Oceanographic Wave Measurement Group


 * Surveys in accordance with the Oceanographic Survey Plan


 * Construction in accordance with Logistic Plan

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