LOGISTIC SUPPORT 



James Sleznick, Jr. 



National Park Service 



and 



Loran A. Weaver 



National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 



INTRODUCTION 



The massive logistic support required by the TEKTITE II program was undertaken 

 through cooperative arrangements with the Department of Transportation and 

 Department of Defense. Airlift cpordination was provided by the National 

 Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (formerly Environmental Science Services 

 Administration). Principals included the U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Navy, and 

 units of the Air National Guard. Arrangements for this assistance were negoti- 

 ated early in the planning stages, thus assuring adequate and timely logistical 

 support for both personnel and equipment. 



NAVY SUPPORT 



The staging area for the main habitat and related support equipment was the 

 Philadelphia Naval Shipyard. The Landing Ship Dock (LSD), USS Plymouth Rock , 

 was assigned the task of transporting the primary equipment and material to the 

 Lameshur Bay site. An LSD was required for the transportation of the habitat 

 and support equipment because of the limited accessibility of the project site 

 to any adequate airfield, road, or off-loading facility. 



Most major equipment items were loaded aboard the LSD at the Philadelphia Naval 

 Shipyard as per loading plan developed jointly by the Department of the 

 Interior, General Electric, and Navy Personnel. The loading was executed 

 smoothly and on schedule with the ship sailing February 27, arriving on site 

 March 6. 



Unloading of the LSD at Lameshur Bay occurred without major incident. Sea con- 

 ditions were such that an orderly unloading operation could be conducted. The 

 habitat was floated out and secured in the designated holding site. Causeway 

 sections containing the command van, spare parts trailers, generators and nitro- 

 gen gas trailer and related equipment were floated to their designated sites for 

 securing and further off-loading. 



The Navy concluded its logistic role at TEKTITE II in November when the LSD, 

 USS Portland Court , arrived on site to reload the habitat, minitat and related 

 support equipment for its return to Philadelphia. The load plan was essenti- 

 ally the same except for the addition of the minitat. Sea conditions remained 

 good and no loading difficulties were encountered. The USS Portland Court was 

 a newly commissioned vessel on its first cruise, and the fresh crew is to be 

 commended on their efforts in loading this unusual consignment. 



The ship sailed the evening of November 19 and arrived at the Philadelphia Naval 

 Shipyard late on the 22nd. Off-loading was conducted by Yard personnel early 

 the next day according to plan. 



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