Hardtack 1958
US Atomic Veterans
Robert L. (Bob) Graf
Robert L. Graf sent email about his duty at Operation Hardtack.
From: "Bob Graf" syzygy5@hotmail.com
To: pdxavets@aracnet.com
Subject: Operation Hardtack
Date: Sun, 21 May 2000
Keith
I was on Perry Island TDY and saw 17 shots, having arrived on a C97 flight that stopped in
Hawaii. This after being transported from Norton AFB in San Bernardino to
Travis outside of Sacramento.
My duty was with an Air Rescue Detachment
flying SA16 Amphibian aircraft. These had the advantage of being able to
land on water or land and were used as couriers and site seeing. I was a
flight mechanic and crew chief.
The conditions weren't too bad, steak every
Friday night and a plank floor tent for housing. I was hospitalized for
awhile having suffered a bad reaction to scallops which I still can't
tolerate.
For a while there was a problem with the desalination plant with
showers being at a premium. I remember watching some of the troops shooting
at sharks. We had light bulbs in our lockers that were supposed to prevent
mildew.
One of the high points was watching a B52 land on the strip, quite
a feat! After the tests I was involved with preparing equipment for
shipment that was no longer needed.
There was an outdoor movie in the
evening during which it invariably rained and we had some hotly contested
baseball games.
Bob Graf
Email: syzygy5@hotmail.com
Keith Whittle
May 25, 2000
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