Flux tower, other tower and radiation measurements were continued without interruption. Tethered balloon soundings, however, were terminated at 0700 GMT August 9 (7pm LST) due to an approaching squall line. No warning was received from Aeromet. Subsequently, at approximately 1340 GMT (1:40 am Aug. 10 LST), Aeromet predicted 30 to 40 kt winds with a 20 minute lead time. The balloon was immediately brought to the ground and hangared. During the hangaring operation the main line was broken and the fairlead damaged. Lines and fairlead were repaired by 2300 GMT on August 9.

Surface winds remained above 20 kts with gusts up to 30 kts. By mid-afternoon (10^th August), however, wind had moderated to under 20 kts and conditions had improved to permit resumption of tethered balloon operations.

However, without any prior notification, the Project Office at about 1100 LST requested that all six of the tethered balloon personnel vacate their rooms and move to a single room by 1200 LST. Five of the six person team were on Meck Island. Only one member was on Kwajalein. We were unable to comply with this precipitous request. It was agreed to move by 1200 LST on 11 August. To do this, two of the five people on Meck Island were sent back to Kwajalein on the 3:30 pm catamoran, leaving 3 people on Meck Island. A complement of 3 people on Meck is insufficient to relaunch the tethered balloon. Consequently, all tethered balloon operations were cancelled until approximately 2000 Aug. 10 GMT (8 am Aug. 11 LST) when a sufficient number of people will again be available for launch.

The lack of planning and adequate coordination described in the above situation is totally unacceptable. The tethered balloon team is on a difficult and exhausting schedule of 48 hours on and 24 hours off. During the less than 24 hours on Kwajalein a number of duties need to be carried out. It is NOT a day off. Five of the seven person tethered balloon team are spending the duration of the project on Meck/Kwajalein. Working 48 hours on (technically) 24 hours off for eight weeks is a lot to ask of anyone. We ask and expect that actions which affect our operation, like this room move, be announced in advance so that the options can be discussed and the necessary actions be properly coordinated.

CC: Operations

Thiele

Ramesh