,-r_ “,. .,.(, ““.“._ 

. 

DNA 6026F 

OPERATION HARDTACK II 

1958 

United States Atmospheric Nuclear Weapons Tests 

Nuclear Test Personnel Review 

Prepared by the Defense Nuclear Agency as Executive Agency 

for the Department of Defense 
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OPERATION HARDTACK II, 1958 Technical Report 

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JRB 2-816-03-423-00 

I.AUTHOR(e) 8. CONTRACT OR GRANT NUMBER(R) 

Jean Ponton, Stephen Rohrer, Carl Maag, DNA 001-79-C-0473

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9. KEY WORDS (Continue on tever~ #ida If necasauy and Identify by block number) 

AEC HARDTACK II 

Atmospheric Nuclear Tests Radiation Exposure 

Safety Experiments 

0. ABSl-RACTW m r.“rY afdb M v pd fdentlfy by block number) 

This report describes the activities of an estimated 1,000 DOD personnel, bot 

military and civilian, in Operation HARDTACK II, a nuclear testing series 

conducted in Nevada from 12 September to 30 October 1958. The series 

consisted of 37 events: 19 weapons tests and 18 safety experiments. DOD 

activities included scientific test participation, staff support, and air 

support. Radiological safety procedures were established and implemented 

to minimize individual radiation exposures. 

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18. SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES (continued) 

The Defense Nuclear Agency Action Officer, Lt. Col. H. L. Reese, USAF, under 

whom this work was done, wishes to acknowledge the research and editing 

contribution of numerous reviewers in the military services and other 

organizations in addition to those writers listed in block 7. 

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Public Atfairs Office Sheet Washington, 0 C. 20305

Subject: Operation HARDTACK II 

Operation HARDTACK II was a series of nuclear weapons tests 

conducted at the Nevada Test Site (NTS) from 12 September through 

30 October 1958. The operation consisted of 19 nuclear weapons 

tests and 18 safety experiments. The nuclear weapons tests were 

conducted to evaluate the yield and efficiency of newly developed 

nuclear devices. The safety experiments were designed to 

determine the stability of nuclear devices during transportation 

and storage. Operation HARDTACK II involved an estimated 1,000 

Department of Defense (DOD) participants in scientific test 

activities, air support, and administrative staff support. 

HARDTACK II was the continental phase of Operation HARDTACK. It 

followed Operation HARDTACK I, the nuclear test series conducted 

in the Pacific Ocean from April to August 1958. The Atomic 

Energy Commission (AEC), in conjunction with Field Command, Armed 

Forces Special Weapons Project (AFSWP), the Office of Civil and 

Defense Mobilization (OCDM), and other Government agencies, was 

involved in the planning for HARDTACK II. In August 1958, the 

President of the United States approved the AEC request to 

conduct the operation. HARDTACK II was the last series before 

the United States adopted a nuclear test moratorium, which had 

been originally intended to last one year but continued until 

1961. HARDTACK II was designed to: 

0 Test nuclear devices for possible inclusion in the 

defense arsenal 

0 Test safety characteristics of nuclear devices 

0 Improve containment techniques for underground 

detonations. 

Department of Defense Involvement 

DOD participants were involved in three activities: 

0 Administrative staff support

• Test group activities 

Air and ground support, including radiological safety 

monitoring. 

0 
DOD personnel assisted the AEC Test Manager in planning, 

coordinating, and executing the programs and activities 

associated with HARDTACK II. They oversaw the technical and 

military objectives of the series for the DOD. 

The following five test groups conducted scientific experiments 

to evaluate effects characteristics of the nuclear devices: 

0 DOD Effects Test Group, AFSWP 

• Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory (LASL) Test Group 

0 University of California Radiation Laboratory (UCRL) 

Test Group 

• Civil Effects Test Group (CETG) 

• Office of Civil and Defense Mobilization (OCDM) Test 

Group. 

The largest number of DOD participants took part in 11 pro,jects 

conducted by the DOD Effects Test Group. Information gained from 

the projects was used in developing delivery systems for nuclear 

devices and in determining the military requirements for future 

nuclear device designs. At least one DOD Effects Test Group 

pro,ject was conducted at all the nuclear weapons tests except 

Shot BLANCA, the last weapons test of the series. One pro,ject 

was also conducted at four of the safety experiments: MARS, 

HIDALGO, NEPTUNE, and VESTA. Two of the nuclear weapons events, 

HAMILTON and HUMBOLDT, were effects tests cosponsored by the DOD 

and UCRL, an AEC weapons development laboratory. All 11 DOD 

Effects Test Group projects were performed at HAMILTON, and five 

were conducted at HUMBOLDT. For the DOD projects conducted only 

at these two shots, personnel placed thermal and radiation 

measuring instruments and soil samples in foxholes, in armored 

personnel carriers, and along cables between five and 730 meters 

from ground zero to determine the radiation and thermal effects 

produced by low-yield nuclear detonations. Participants also 

placed pigs and mice in the foxholes and armored personnel 

carriers to obtain data on biological effects of blast, heat, 

light, and radiation from nuclear detonations. Many of the 

experiments had to be retrieved soon after the detonations, while 

others could be collected later, when radiation intensities had 

decreased. 

The DOD Effects Test Group projects involved personnel from the 

following service laboratories and agencies: 

• Ballistic Research Laboratories 

• Chemical Warfare Laboratories 

e Chemical Corps Training Command 

2 
0 Army Chemical Center 

• Army Artillery Board 

0 Engineer Research and Development Laboratories 

0 Signal Research and Development Laboratories 

0 Walter Reed Army Institute of Research 

0 Headquarters, Continental Army Command 

0 Air Force Special Weapons Center 

0 Air Force Cambridge Research Laboratories. 

The LASL 

information 

devices 

and UCRL Test Groups conducted experiments 

on diagnostic and effects characteristics 

developed and sponsored by each laboratory. 

to obtain 

of the 

LASL 

sponsored nine nuclear weapons events and nine safety 

experiments. UCRL sponsored ten nuclear weapons events, 

including two sponsored with DOD, and nine safety experiments. 

DOD involvement in LASL and UCRL Test Group projects included 

cloud-sampling missions conducted by Air Force Special Weapons 

Center (AFSWC) personnel. One AFSWC unit, the 4926th Test 

Squadron, flew aircraft through the clouds at 16 of the nuclear 

weapons events and 12 of the safety experiments to collect 

particulate samples of the clouds. The samples aided the 

laboratories in determining the yield and efficiency of each 

nuclear device. 

The CETG and OCDM Test Group conducted projects to determine 

potential effects of blast, heat, radiation, and fallout on 

civilian populations and structures. Although some DOD personnel 

were assigned to the agencies and laboratories conducting the 

projects, there was no documented DOD participation at these 

projects. 

DOD personnel participated in air support activities for the Test 

Manager and the test groups at HARDTACK II. AFSWC, located at 

Kirtland Air Force Base (AFB), New Mexico, provided air support 

to the Test Manager. AFSWC conducted cloud-sampling missions for 

the UCRL and LASL Test Groups and cloud-tracking missions, sample 

courier missions, aerial terrain surveys, and other air support, 

as requested by the Test Manager. 

The 4950th Test Group (Nuclear) was the principal AFSWC unit 

involved in HARDTACK II. The 4950th consisted of four squadrons, 

three of which participated in the operation. The 4926th Test 

Squadron (Sampling) and the 4952nd Support Squadron (Test) were 

located at Kirtland AFB. The 4935th Air Base Squadron was the 

permanent unit at Indian Springs AFB, 30 kilometers east of Camp 

Mercury, and was central to the mission of that base. Other Air 

Force units involved in Operation HARDTACK II included the 4900th 

Air Base Group from Kirtland AFB, elements of the 20th Helicopter 

Squadron of the Tactical Air Command (TAC), and the 865th Air 

3 
Control and Warning Squadron of the Air Defense Command. Peak 

strength of these air support units during Operation HARDTACK II 

was 412 personnel. 

Summaries of HARDTACK II Nuclear Weapons Events 

The 19 HARDTACK II nuclear weapons events were conducted in Areas 

3, 5, 7, 9, and 12 of the NTS. There were ten balloon, four 

underground, and five tower detonations. The accompanying table 

presents information on the nuclear weapons events, and the 

accompanying figure indicates their locations. Eleven of the 19 

tests had yields under one kiloton. Some of these, including 

HAMILTON, HUMBOLDT, and EVANS, resulted in yields lower than 

expected. Shot BLANCA produced the largest yield. 

BLANCA was detonated on 30 October 1958 in a tunnel 987 feet 

underground, with a 22-kiloton yield. Some radiation vented into 

the atmosphere producing a cloud that reached 7,700 feet above 

the ground and drifted southwest. DOD participation was limited 

to cloud-sampling, cloud-tracking, photography, and observer 

missions conducted by AFSWC. 

Shots HAMILTON and HUMBOLDT were the two DOD effects tests and 

had the largest number of DOD participants. Shot HAMILTON was 

detonated on 15 October 1958 on a 50-foot wooden tower. The 

device produced a lower-than-expected yield of 0.0012 kiloton. 

Before the detonation, personnel set up instrumentation for 11 

DOD Effects Test Group projects. Many of the projects required 

that instruments be placed as close as 4.5 meters to the shot 

tower. One project was conducted 160 kilometers from the NTS. 

For six of the projects, the same personnel both placed and 

-etrieved the instruments. This reduced the number of personnel 

iequired to enter the shot area after the detonation. In 

addition to the DOD Effects Test Group pro.jects, AFSWC conducted 

cloud-sampling, cloud-tracking, sample courier, and terrain 

survey missions. Nine aircraft with 26 AFSWC aircrew personnel 

conducted these missions. 

Shot HUMBOLDT, the second DOD effects test, was conducted on 29 

October 1958 at 0645. The device, detonated on a 25-foot wooden 

tower, had a yield of 0.0078 kiloton. Personnel placed 

instruments between nine meters and two kilometers from ground 

zero for all five DOD Effects Test Group projects. For three of 

the projects, personnel worked together to place and retrieve 

experiments, as they did at Shot HAMILTON. Cloud-sampling, 

cloud-tracking, and sample courier missions were conducted after 

the detonation. One aircraft participated in each of the 

missions. The missions engaged ten AFSWC aircrew personnel. 

Summaries of HARDTACK II Safety Experiments 

The 18 remaining detonations in HARDTACK II were safety 

experiments conducted to determine the stability of newly 

4 
developed nuclear weapons during transportation and storage. 

Elements of the conventional high explosive portions of these 

devices were fired to simulate accidental damage and to determine 

the potential for such partial firings to result in nuclear 

yield. Data gained from the tests were used to develop devices 

that could withstand shock, blast, fire, and other accidents and 

produce nuclear yields of less than four pounds. 

The HARDTACK II safety experiments were conducted in Areas 3, 7, 

8, 9, and 12 of the NTS. The shots consisted of six shaft, three 

tunnel, one balloon, five tower, and three surface detonations. 

The safety experiments ranged in yield from Shot NEPTUNE, which 

had a yield of 0.115 kiloton, to Shots SAN JUAN, OBERON, and 

GANYMEDE, which had no measurable yield. The accompanying table 

presents data on the safety experiments, and the accompanying 

figure shows their locations. DOD participation in the safety 

experiments was limited to one DOD Effects Test Group project 

conducted at four safety experiments, cloud sampling conducted at 

12 events, cloud tracking at 11 events, sample courier missions 

after seven safety experiments, and one aerial photography 

mission and one observer mission during the final safety test, 

TITANIA. 

Radiation Safety Standards and Procedures 

The Nevada Test Site Organization (NTSO) and AFSWC developed 

radiological safety procedures to minimize exposure of 

individuals to ionizing radiation while they accomplished their 

missions at HARDTACK II. The AEC recommended a gamma plus 

neutron exposure limit of 3 rem (roentgen equivalent man) per 

calendar quarter or a total exposure of 5 rem per year for DOD 

participants at the operation. This was the accepted occupational limit for gamma exposure recommended by the National 

Committee on Radiation Protection and Measurements. AFSWC 

personnel who conducted cloud-sampling missions at HARDTACK II 

were permitted to receive up to 10 rem during the series, and 

those individuals who participated in cloud sampling at both 

HARDTACK I and HARDTACK II were permitted to receive 15 rem 

during the series. 

The radiological safety procedures at HARDTACK II were 

essentially the same as those used for Operation PLUMBBOB, the 

series of tests conducted at the NTS in 1957. Personnel from the 

Radiological Safety Division of the Reynolds Electrical and 

Engineering Company (REECo) conducted all onsite radiological

safety activities and functions, including: 

Personnel dosimetry--issuing, exchanging, and developing 

film badges for participants and determining gamma 

radiation exposures recorded on film badges 

0 

Clothing and equipment --providing anticontamination 

clothing and respiratory equipment 

0 

5 
0 Monitoring-- providing radiological survev equipment, 

performing radiological surveys, and controlling access 

to all radiation areas 

0 Decontamination --detecting and removing contamination on 

personnel, vehicles, and equipment. 

Personnel from the 4950th Test Group provided radiological safety 

for AFSWC participants at Indian Springs AFB and Kirtland AFB. 

These responsibilities included monitoring and decontaminating 

personnel and aircraft. 

Radiation Exposures at HARDTACK II 

HARDTACK II participants wore film badges as a requirement for 

access to the NTS, and dosimetry records were maintained for 

participants. Dosimetry data are available for 210 Air Force, 

69 Army, and 12 Navy personnel. In addition, 962 DOD scientific 

personnel, contractors, and observers have been identified. 

Dosimetry data are presented in the final table of this Fact 

Sheet "Summary of Dosimetry for Operation HARDTACK II as of 

December 1982." 

Sixteen participants had exposures greater than 3 rem. However, 

only nine of these 16 participants were sub.ject to the 3 rem 

limit on gamma exposures which applied to most of the HARDTACK II 

participants. The other seven personnel who had exposures 

exceeding 3 rem were authorized to receive 15 rem per calendar 

year; none of these seven exceeded the 15 rem limit. 

6 
SUMMARY OF OPERATION HARDTACK II NUCLEAR WEAPONS TESTS, 1958 

sponsor LASL LASL UCRL LASL LASL DOD/ 

UCRL 

UCRL LASL LASL LASL UCRL UCRL UCRL LASL UCRL UCRL DOD 

UCRL 

LASL UCRL 

Planned Date 19 Sept 28 Sept 8 Ott 10 act 13 Ocr 15 Ott 15 Ott 16 Ott 18 Ott 21 Ott 20 Ott 19 Ott 23 Ott 26 Ott 24 Ott 27 Ott 29 Ott 29 Ott 29 Ott 

1Actual Date 119Sept129Sept18Oct IlOOct 113Oct 115Oct 115Oct (16Oct (18Oct 12~Oct (22Oct 1~Oct 126Oct 126Oct 129Octl29Oct 129Oct l~Octj30Oct I 

Local Time’ 0700 0630 0520 08m 2200 0620 0625

I 

0530 0850 1540 0220 0806 1600 0320 

NTS Locatlon Area 7 Area 7 Area 7 Area 5 Area 12 Area 7 Area 3 Area 7 Area 5 Area 9 Area 5 Area 7 Area 12 Area 9 

UTM Coordinates 867047 867057 867047 952732 709154 867047 867996 867047 956728 852100 856728 867047 706167 857091 

TYpe Balloon Tower Balloon Tower Tunnel Balloon Tower Balloon Balloon Balloon Balloon Balloon Tunnel Tower 

Height of Burst (feet) 500 100 1,500 50 -932 450 72.5 1,450 # 1.500 500 # 1.500 1,500 852 

Yield (kilotons) 

• Pacific Daylight Time for Shot EDDY; Pacific Standard Time for all other shots. 

t No measurable yield 
--l----l r-----

;:g?$PA’S I+@, --1 P 

12 N 

LOGAN 4 1 -----7 

BLANCA 1 ---

Lake - - -

0 d 

Kilometers 

LOCATIONS OF HARDTACK II NUCLEAR WEAPONS EVENTS 

WITHIN THE NEVADA TEST SITE 

8 
SUMMARY OF OPERATION HARDTACK II SAFETY EXPERIMENTS, 1959 

Sponsor LASL LASL LASL UCRL LASL UCRL LASL LASL UCRL UCRL LASL UCRL LASL UCRL UCRL LASL UCRL UCRL 

Planned Date 11 Sept 17 Sept 21 Sept 23 Sept 26 Sept 27 Sept 3 Ott 5 Ott 14 Ott 17 Ott 20 Ott 22 Ott 24 Ott 23 Ott 25 Ott 27 Ott 29 Ott 30 Ott 

Actual Date 12 Sept 17 Sept 21 Sept 23 Sept 26 Sept 28 Sept 5 Ott 5 Ott 14 Ott 17 Ott 20 Ott 22 Ott 24 Ott 24 Ott 26 Ott 27 Ott 30 Ott 30 Ott 

Local Time* 1300 1230 1200 1500 1300 1700 0610 0815 1000 1500 0630 1230 0700 0801 20Kl 0630 0300 1234 

NTS Location Area 3 Area 3 Area 3 Area 12 Area 3 Area 12 Area 7 Area 3 Area 12 Area 9 Area 3 Area 8 Area 3 Area 9 Area 8 Area 3 Area 9 Area 8 

UTM Coordinates 861007 859006 859005 709164 859006 709163 868048 859005 710164 857087 861008 826154 866999 855088 826152 862001 846090 826148 

Type Shaft Shaft Shaft Tunnel Shaft Tunnel Balloon Shaft Tunnel Surface Shaft Tower Tower Surface Tower Tower Surface Tower 

Height of Burst (feet) -480 -456 -484 -183 -484 -140 377 -350 -110 0 -234 25 72.5 0 25 52.5 0 25 

Yield (kilotons) 0.038 0.015 0.0015 Slight 0.002 0.013 0.077 0.0055 0.115 0.024 NMY+ NMY 0.021 0.0017 0.0007 0.0006 NMY 0.0002 

• Pacific Daylight Time for Shots OTERO through MARS; Pacific Standard Time for the remaining shots. 

t No measurable yield 
--- 

I 

\ 

.!--+-{ $!:A 

GANYMEDE 12_-em ------ 91 

I I 

14 I 7

BERNALILLO ; - - - BJY SAN JUAN 

LUNA 

COLFAX +-

I 

CA-____ 

I 

I News Nob 

I ’ 

Mercury 

0

d 

Kilometers 

LOCATIONS OF HARDTACK II SAFETY EXPERIMENTS 

WITHIN THE NEVADA TEST SITE 

10 
SUMMARY OF DOSIMETRY FOR OPERATION HARDTACK II AS OF DECEMBER 1992 

I I I I Number of I I PW$Ollnal Gambia Exposure (rem1 Per!Wnflel Average Maximum 

Per.SO~llel identified with Gamma GWllma 

Identified by Name and - Zero Gamma Exposure Exposure 

Service by Name by Film Badge 10.1 0.1-1.0 1 .o-3.0 3.0-5.0 5.0 + Exposure* lreml (rem1 

Army 78 70 36 26 1 2 1 23 0.763 10.9 

Navy 14 12 9 2 1 0 0 6 0 181 16 

Air Force 319 210 107 69 27 5 2 86 0.509 7.7 

Scientific Personnel, 962 962 776 159 21 2 4 216 0.139 10.0 

Contractors. and 

Observers 

Total 1.373 1.254 930 258 50 9 7 331 0.281 

* The number of individuals in this column IS also represented in the <O.l Gamma Exposure column 

11 
PREFACE 

From 1945 to 1962, the United States Government, through the 

Manhattan Engineer District and its successor agency, the Atomic 

Energy Commission (AEC), conducted 235 atmospheric nuclear 

weapons tests at sites in the United States and in the Pacific 

and Atlantic Oceans. In all, an estimated 220,000 Department of 

Defense (DOD) participants, both military and civilian, were 

present at the tests. Of these, approximately 90,000 were at the 

atmospheric nuclear weapons tests conducted at the Nevada Test 

Site (NTS), northwest of Las Vegas, Nevada. 

In 1977, 15 years after the last above-ground nuclear 

weapons test, the Centers for Disease Control* noted a possible 

leukemia cluster among a small group of soldiers present at Shot 

SMOKY, a test of Operation PLUMBBOB, the series of atmospheric 

nuclear weapons tests conducted in 1957. Since that initial 

report by the Centers for Disease Control, the Veterans 

Administration has received a number of claims for medical 

benefits from former military personnel who believe their health 

may have been affected by their participation in the weapons 

testing program. 

In late 1977, the DOD began a study to provide data to both 

the Centers for Disease Control and the Veterans Administration 

on potential exposures to ionizing radiation among the military 

and civilian participants in the atmospheric nuclear tests. The 

DOD organized an effort to: 

Identify DOD,participants in the atmospheric nuclear 

weapons tests and other nuclear tests 

0 

- -.-

*The Centers for Disease Control are part of the U.S. Department 

of Health and Human Services (formerly the U.S. Department of 

Health, Education, and Welfare). 

12 
0 Determine the extent of the participants' exposure 

to ionizing radiation 

Provide public disclosure of information concerning 

participation by DOD personnel in the atmospheric 

nuclear weapons tests and other nuclear tests. 

0 

METHODS AND SOURCES USED TO PREPARE THIS VOLUME 

This report on Operation HARDTACK II is based on the 

scientific and technical documents associated with the atmospheric nuclear weapons tests conducted at the NTS in 1958. Many 

of the documents pertaining specifically to DOD involvement in 

the operation were found in the Defense Nuclear Agency Technical 

Library, the Office of Air Force History, the Archives of the 

Department of Energy Nevada Operations Office, and the Los Alamos 

Scientific Laboratory Records Center. 

In some cases, the surviving historical documentation 

addresses test specifications and technical information, rather 

than the personnel data critical to the study undertaken by the 

Department of Defense. Moreover, these documents sometimes have 

inconsistencies in vital facts, such as the number of DOD 

participants in a certain project at a given shot or their 

locations and assignments at a given time. These inconsistencies 

usually occur between two or more documents but occasionally 

appear within the same document. Efforts have been made to 

resolve these inconsistencies wherever possible or to bring them 

to the attention of the reader. 

In addition to these inconsistencies in information, the 

documents describing test organization pro;jects do not always 

present project titles and agencies consistently. To make this 

information as uniform as possible, this volume uses weapons test 

report titles for each project. Information concerning the 

planned and actual dates and yields of test detonations may also 

vary among documents. All such information presented in this 

report is taken from the Department of Energy, Announced United 

13 
States Nuclear Tests, July 1945 through December 1981 (NVO-209, 

Rev. 2). Other data on the tests, such as meteorological 

conditions and nuclear cloud dimensions, are taken from DNA 

1251-1, Compilation of Local Fallout Data from Test Detonations 

1945-1962, Volume 1, except in instances where more specific 

information is available elsewhere. 

For several of the test organization projects discussed in 

this volume, the only available documents are the Schedule of 

Events from the Deputy Test Manager's "Operation Order l-58." 

This source details the plans developed by DOD and AEC personnel 

prior to Operation HARDTACK II; it does not describe the projects 

as conducted at the NTS. It is not known if all the projects 

addressed in the planning documents and discussed in this volume 

were conducted exactly as planned. Although some of the afteraction documents summarize the projects performed during 

Operation HARDTACK II, they do not always supply shot-specific 

information. In the absence of shot-specific after-action 

reports, projects are described according to the way they were 

planned. The references indicate whether the description of 

activities is based on the schedule of events, operation orders, 

or after-action reports. 

ORGANIZATION OF THIS VOLUME 

This volume proceeds from the general to the specific. 

Chapters 1 and 2 include introductory material on Operation 

HARDTACK II and on the AEC's Nevada Test Site Organization 

(NTSO). The next two chapters address radiological protection, 

with chapter 3 summarizing radiological safety criteria and 

procedures and chapter 4 presenting data on the results of the 

radiological protection program. Chapter 5 gives separate 

discussions of each of the 19 nuclear weapons events, as does 

chapter 6 for each of the 18 safety experiments. 

14 
The information in this report is supplemented by the 

Reference Manual: Background Materials for the CONUS Volumes, 

This volume summarizes information on radiation physics, 

radiation health concepts, exposure criteria, and measurement 

techniques. It also has a list of acronyms and a glossary of 

terms used in the DOD reports addressing test events in the 

continental United States. 

15 
••

TABLE OF CONTENTS 

PAGE 

FACTSHEET......................... 1 

PREFACE.......................... 12 

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 

LIST OF TABLES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS. . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 

CHAPTER 

1 INTRODUCTION . , . . . . . . . . . . • . . . . . . . . 26 

1.1 Historical Background and the Establishment of 

OperationHARDTACKII............... 27 

1.2 The Nevada Test Site. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 

1.3 Summary of Operation HARDTACK II Events . . . . . . 34 

1.4 Department of Defense Participation at 

Operation HARDTACK II . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 

1.4.1 Nevada Test Site Organization Activities . . 38 

1.4.2 Air Force Special Weapons

Center Support Missions. . . . . . . . . . . 40 

2 FUNCTIONS OF THE NEVADA TEST SITE ORGANIZATION DURING 

OPERATIONHARDTACKII.................. 50 

2.1 The Nevada Test Site Organization . . . . . . . . . 52 

2.1.1 Test Manager's Organization. ........ 53 

2.1.2 The Effects Test Groups. .......... 58 

3 RADIATION PROTECTION AT OPERATION HARDTACK II. . . . . . 59 

3.1 Radiation Protection for the Nevada 

Test Site Organization. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 

3.1.1 Organization and Responsibilities . . . . . 61 

3.1.2 Onsite Operations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61 

3.1.3 Offsite Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73 

3.2 Radiation Protection for the 

Air Force Special Weapons Center. . . . . . . . . . 74 

4 DOSIMETRY FOR DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE PERSONNEL 

ATOPERATIONHARDTACKII................ 77 

4.1 Participation Data. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77 

16 
5 

TABLE OF CONTENTS (Continued) 

CHAPTER 

4.2 Sources of Dosimetry Data. ............ 

4.3 Dosimetry Data for Operation 

HARDTACK II Participants ............. 

NUCLEAR WEAPONS TESTS. ................. 

5.1 Shot EDDY .................... 

5.1.1 Department of Defense Participation in 

Scientific and Support Activities. .... 

5.1.2 Radiological Safety Activities ...... 

5.2 ShotMORA ..................... 

5.2.1 Department of Defense Participation in 

Scientific and Support Activities. .... 

5.2.2 Radiological Safety Activities ...... 

5.3 Shot TAMALPAIS .................. 

5.3.1 Department of Defense Participation in 

Scientific and Support Activities. .... 

5.3.2 Radiological Safety Activities ...... 

5.4 ShotQUAY ..................... 

5.4.1 Department of Defense Participation in 

Scientific and Support Activities. .... 

5.4.2 Radiological Safety Activities ...... 

5.5 ShotLEA ..................... 

5.5.1 Department of Defense Participation in 

Scientific and Support Activities. .... 

5.5.2 Radiological Safety Activities ...... 

5.6 Shot HAMILTON .................. 

5.6.1 Department of Defense Participation in 

Scientific and Support Activities. .... 

5.6.2 Radiological Safety Activities ...... 

5.7 ShotLOGAN .................... 

PAGE 

78 

80 

87 

88 

88 

90 

92 

92 

95 

96 

98 

99 

100 

101 

105 

107 

107 

110 

112 

113 

122 

124 

17 
TABLE OF CONTENTS (Continued) 

CHAPTER PAGE 

5.7.1 Department of Defense Participation in 

Scientific and Support Activities. . . . . 125 

5.7.2 Radiological Safety Activities . . . . . . 126 

5.8 Shot DONA ANA. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126 

5.8.1 Department of Defense Participation in 

Scientific and Support Activities . . . . 127 

5.8.2 Radiological Safety Activities . . . . . . 129 

5.9 Shot RIO ARRIBA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131 

5.9.1 Department of Defense Participation in 

Scientific and Support Activities. . . . . 131 

5.9.2 Radiological Safety Activities . . . . . . 134 

5.10 Shot SOCORRO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137 

5.10.1 Department of Defense Participation in 

Scientific and Support Activities. . . . . 137 

5.10.2 Radiological Safety Activities . . . . . . 141 

5.11 Shot WRANGELL. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143 

5.11.1 Department of Defense Participation in 

Scientific and Support Activities. . . . . 143 

5.11.2 Radiological Safety Activities . . . . . . 146 

5.12 Shot RUSHMORE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147 

5.12.1 Department of Defense Participation in 

Scientific and Support Activities. . . . . 147 

5.12.2 Radiological Safety Activities . . . . . . 150 

5.13 Shot SANFORD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152 

5.13.1 Department of Defense Participation in 

Scientific and Support Activities. . . . . 152 

5.13.2 Radiological Safety Activities . . . . . . 153 

5.14 ShotDEBACA................... 154 

5.14.1 Department of Defense Participation in 

Scientific and Support Activities. . . . . 156 

5.14.2 Radiological Safety Activities . . . . . . 157 

5.15 Shot EVANS.................... 160 

18 
TABLE OF CONTENTS (Continued) 

CHAPTER PAGE 

5.15.1 Department of Defense Participation in 

Scientific and Support Activities. . . . . 160 

5.15.2 Radiological Safety Activities . . . . . . 164 

5.16 Shot MAZAMA. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164 

5.16.1 Department of Defense Participation in 

Scientific and Support Activities. . . . . 164 

5.16.2 Radiological Safety Activities . . . . . . 166 

5.17 Shot HUMBOLDT. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166 

5.17.1 Department of Defense Participation in 

Scientific and Support Activities. . . . . 167 

5.17.2 Radiological Safety Activities . . . . . . 172 

5.18 Shot SANTA FE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175 

5.18.1 Department of Defense Participation in 

Scientific and Support Activities. . . . . 175 

5.18.2 Radiological Safety Activities . . . . . . 177 

5.19 Shot BLANCA. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179 

5.19.1 Department of Defense Participation in 

Scientific and Support Activities. . . . . 179 

5.19.2 Radiological Safety Activities . . . . . . 181 

6 SAFETY EXPERIMENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184 

6.1 OTERO ....................... 185 

6.1.1 DOD Participation. ............ 185 

6.1.2 Radiological Safety Activities ...... 185 

6.2 BERNALILLO .................... 187 . 

6.2.1 DOD Participation. ............ 187 

6.2.2 Radiological Safety Activities ...... 187 

6.3 LUNA ....................... 187 

6.3.1 DOD Participation. ........ f ... 189 

6.3.2 Radiological Safety Activities ...... 189 

6.4 MERCURY ...................... 189 

6.4.1 Radiological Safety Activities ...... 190 

19 
TABLE OF CONTENTS 

CHAPTER 

6.5 VALENCIA..................... 

6.5.1 DOD Participation. 

6.5.2 Radiological Safety 

6.6 MARS....................... 

6.6.1 DOD Participation. 

6.6.2 Radiological Safety 

6.7 HIDALGO...................... 

6.7.1 DOD Participation. 

6.7.2 Radiological Safety 

6.8 COLFAX...................... 

6.8.1 DOD Participation. 

6.8.2 Radiological Safety 

6.9 NEPTUNE...................... 

6.9.1 DOD Participation. 

6.9.2 Radiological Safety 

6.10 VESTA....................... 

6.10.1 DOD Participation. 

6.10.2 Radiological Safety 

6.11 SANJUAN..................... 

6.11.1 DOD Participation. 

6.11.2 Radiological Safety 

6.12 OBERON...................... 

6.12.1 DOD Participation. 

6.12.2 Radiological Safety 

6.13 CATRON...................... 

6.13.1 DOD Participation. 

6.13.2 Radiological Safety 

(Continued) 

PAGE 

190 

............ 190 

Activities ...... 191 

191 

............ 191 

Activities ...... 193 

193 

............ 195 

Activities ...... 195 

197 

............ 197 

Activities ...... 197 

198 

............ 198 

Activities ...... 199 

199 

............ 201 

Activities ...... 201 

201 

............ 203 

Activities ...... 203 

203 

............ 203 

Activities ...... 204 

204 

............ 204 

Activities ...... 205 

20 
TABLE OF CONTENTS (Continued) 

CHAPTER PAGE 

6.14 JUNO....................... 205 

6.14.1 DOD Participation. ............ 205 

6.14.2 Radiological Safety Activities ...... 205 

6.15 CERES. ..................... 208 

6.15.1 Radiological Safety Activities ...... 208 

6.16 CHAVEZ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209 

6.16.1 DOD Participation. ............ 209 

6.16.2 Radiological Safety Activities ...... 209 

6.17 GANYMEDE ..................... 209 

6.17.1 Radiological Safety Activities . . . . . . 211 

6.18 TITANIA. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211 

6.18.1 DOD Participation. ............ 211 

6.18.2 Radiological Safety Activities ...... 212 

REFERENCE LIST. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213 

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS 

FIGURE PAGE 

l-l Location of Nevada Test Site. . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 

l-2 Locations of HARDTACK II Nuclear Weapons Events 

within the Nevada Test Site . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 

l-3 Locations of HARDTACK II Safety Experiments 

within the Nevada Test Site . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 

2-l Nevada Test Site Organization Structure within the 

Federal Government. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 

2-2 Nevada Test Site Organization . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 

3-l The NTSO Radiological Safety Organization . . . . . . 62 

3-2 Procedure Followed by Personnel Entering and Leaving 

Radiation Areas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64 

21 
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS (Continued) 

FIGURE PAGE 

5-l Initial Survey for Shot EDDY, 19 September 1958, 

Mid-time 0730 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91 

5-2 Initial Survey for Shot MORA, 29 September 1958, 

Mid-time 0635 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97 

5-3 Initial Survey for Shot QUAY, 10 October 1958, 

Mid-time 0718 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106 

5-4 Initial Survey for Shot LEA, 13 October 1958, 

Mid-time 0552 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111 

5-5 Initial Survey for Shot HAMILTON, 15 October 1958, 

Mid-time 0919 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123 

5-6 Initial Survey for Shot DONA ANA, 16 October 1958, 

Mid-time 0653. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130 

5-7 Initial Survey for Shot RIO ARRIBA, 18 October 1958, 

Mid-time 0710 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136 

5-8 Initial Survey for Shot SOCORRO, 22 October 1958, 

Mid-time 0637 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142 

5-9 Initial Survey for Shot RUSHMORE, 22 October 1958, 

Mid-time 1600 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151 

5-10 Initial Survey for Shot SANFORD, 26 October 1958, 

Mid-time 0242 . . . , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155 

5-11 Initial Survey for Shot DE BACA, 26 October 1958, 

Mid-time 0822 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159 

5-12 Initial Survey for Shot HUMBOLDT, 29 October 1958, 

Mid-time 0721 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174 

5-13 Initial Survey for Shot SANTA FE, 30 October 1958, 

Mid-time 1940 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178 

5-14 Initial Survey for Shot BLANCA, 30 October 1958, 

Mid-time 0730 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183 

6-l Initial Survey for OTERO, 12 September 1958, 

Mid-time 1348 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186 

22 
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS (Continued) 

FIGURE PAGE 

6-2 Initial Survey for BERNALILLO, 17 September 1958, 

Mid-time 1303 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188 

6-3 Initial Survey for VALENCIA, 27 September 1958, 

Mid-time 1329 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192 

6-4 Initial Survey for MARS, 28 September 1958, 

Mid-time 1750 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194 

6-5 Initial Survey for HIDALGO, 5 October 1958, 

Mid-time 0910 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196 

6-6 Initial Survey for NEPTUNE, 14 October 1958, 

about 90 Minutes after Detonation . . . . . . . . . . 200 

6-7 Initial Survey for VESTA, 17 October 1958, 

Mid-time 1633 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202 

6-8 Initial Survey for CATRON, 24 October 1958, 

Mid-time 0729 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206 

6-9 Initial Survey for JUNO, 24 October 1958, 

Mid-time 0857 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207 

6-10 Initial Survey for CHAVEZ, 27 October 1958, 

Mid-time 0659 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210 

LIST OF TABLES 

TABLE PAGE 

l-1 Summary of Operation HARDTACK II Nuclear 

WeaponsTests,1958................. 35 

1-2 Summary of Operation HARDTACK II 

Safety Experiments, 1958. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 

1-3 DOD Effects Test Group Programs Indicating Project 

Participation by Shot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 

l-4 AFSWC Support for the HARDTACK II 

Nuclear Weapons Detonations . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 

1-5 AFSWC Support for the HARDTACK II 

SafetyExperiments.................. 42 

23 
LIST OF TABLES (Continued) 

TABLE PAGE 

4-l Distribution of Gamma Radiation Exposures for 

Operation HARDTACK II Participants by Affiliation . . 82 

4-2 Distribution of Gamma Radiation Exposures for Army 

Personnel and Affiliates, Operation HARDTACK II . . . 83 

4-3 Distribution of Gamma Radiation Exposures for Navy 

Personnel and Affiliates, Operation HARDTACK II . . . 84 

4-4 Distribution of Gamma Radiation Exposures for 

Air Force Personnel and Affiliates, 

Operation HARDTACK II . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85 

4-5 Distribution of Gamma Radiation Exposures for 

Scientific Personnel, Contractors, and Observers, 

Operation HARDTACK II . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86 

5-1 Test Group Projects with Department of Defense 

Participation, Shot HAMILTON. . . . . . . . . . . . . 113 

24 
The following 

AEC 

AFB 

AFSWC 

AFSWP 

BJY 

CETG 

DOD 

EG&G 

LASL 

NTS 

NTSO 

OCDM 

PDT 

PST 

REECo 

rem 

R/h

TAC 

UCRL 

USPHS 

UTM 

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS 

abbreviations and acronyms are used in this volume: 

Atomic Energy Commission 

Air Force Base 

Air Force Special Weapons Center 

Armed Forces Special Weapons Project 

Buster-Jangle Y 

Civil Effects Test Group 

Department of Defense 

Edgerton, Germeshausen, and Grier, Inc. 

Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory 

Nevada Test Site 

Nevada Test Site Organization 

Office of Civil and Defense Mobilization 

Pacific Daylight Time 

Pacific Standard Time 

Reynolds Electrical and Engineering Company 

roentgen equivalent man 

Roentgen per hour 

Tactical Air Command 

University of California Radiation Laboratory 

United States Public Health Service 

Universal Transverse Mercator 

25 
CHAPTER 1 

INTRODUCTION 

Operation HARDTACK II, a series of nuclear tests conducted 

in Nevada, consisted of 37 events: 19 nuclear weapons 

detonations and 18 safety experiments. The series, conducted 

from 12 September through 30 October 1958, involved about 2,500 

Department of Defense personnel participating in scientific test 

activities, air support, and staff support to the Nevada Test 

Site Organization. The operation was intended to develop and 

test nuclear weapons for possible inclusion in the defense 

arsenal. 

This volume summarizes information on organizations, 

procedures, and activities involving DOD personnel in Operation 

HARDTACK II. In addition, it discusses DOD participation in each 

of the 37 shots. The information helps demonstrate the relationships among specific shots, as well as the relationship of the 

series to previous and subsequent testing operations in the 

Pacific and Atlantic Oceans and at the Nevada Test Site. This 

chapter introduces Operation HARDTACK II with a description of 

the: 

0 Historical background and establishment of the 

series 

0 Nevada Test Site 

0 19 nuclear weapons events and 18 safety experiments 

0 DOD participation at this test series.

This background information provides a basis for understanding 

the nature and extent of DOD participation in specific shots, 

discussed in chapters 5 and 6. 

26 
1.1 HISTORICAL 

HARDTACK 

BACKGROUND 

II 

AND THE ESTABLISHMENT OF OPERATION 

The develo

for the United 

pment 

States 

of 

at 

a nuclear 

the onset 

weapon became 

of World War 

a high priori

II. As the 

ty 

war 

effort intensified, and as reports circulated concerning German 

nuclear weapons research, the United States and Great Britain 

began collaborating in 1942 on a project to construct a nuclear 

weapon before the Germans did (42).* The U.S. Army Corps of 

Engineers supervised the effort, code-named the Manhattan Project. 

On 16 July 1945, the Manhattan Project successfully detonated 

TRINITY, the first nuclear device ever tested. One month later, 

the U.S. detonated a nuclear bomb over Hiroshima and then another 

over Nagasaki, thereby bringing an end to World War II. 

In 1945, the U.S. had a monopoly on nuclear weapons. 

Although postwar American research plans included peaceful uses 

of the atom, a major part of American nuclear research continued 

to emphasize weapons development because the U.S. expected the 

Soviet Union to develop nuclear weapons. In the years 

immediately following the war, the U.S. conducted two series of 

nuclear weapons tests in the Pacific: Operation CROSSROADS in 

1946 and Operation SANDSTONE in 1948. 

During the early 195Os, the U.S. reevaluated its military 

defense policy. In 1949, the Soviet Union had detonated its 

first nuclear device, well ahead of American projections. One 

year later, the U.S. committed ground forces to the Korean 

peninsula. To reduce the necessity of a large standing army and 

to minimize the likelihood of a surprise Soviet attack, the U.S. 

developed a nuclear arsenal capable of inflicting massive 

destruction on critical targets in the Soviet Union. Research 

*All sources cited in the text are listed alphabetically and 

numbered in the Reference List, appended at the back of this 

volume. The number given in the text is the number of the 

source document in the Reference List. 

27 
continued on strategic nuclear weapons for arming international 

ballistic missiles and USAF Strategic Air command aircraft. The 

U.S. also explored the potential of smaller nuclear devices for 

tactical battlefield use (62). 

The U.S. formulated a defense policy during the 1950s that 

rested largely on its ability to deter attack and general war by 

threatening nuclear retaliation upon a major aggressor. The U.S. 

accordingly conducted an extensive nuclear weapons development 

program. From 1951 to 1957, the AEC and DOD conducted 11 nuclear 

weapons test series. Five of the series were in the Pacific: 

GREENHOUSE (1951), IVY (1952), CASTLE (1954), WIGWAM (1955), and 

REDWING (1956). Six of the series were within the continental 

U.S.: RANGER (1951), BUSTER-JANGLE (1951), TUMBLER-SNAPPER 

(l952), UPSHOT-KNOTHOLE (1953), TEAPOT (1955), and PLUMBBOB 

(1957). During Operation IVY, the U.S. tested the first 

thermonuclear device, Shot MIKE, which had a yield of 10.4 

megatons (35; 57). 

Concern about nuclear proliferation existed throughout the 

1950s. A movement toward limiting or banning atmospheric nuclear 

tests gained momentum in 1954, when fallout from Shot BRAVO of 

Operation CASTLE contaminated and exposed natives of the Marshall 

Islands and the crew of a Japanese fishing boat. Pressure on the 

nuclear powers to reach an agreement on limiting testing resulted 

in the U.S. Government's proposal for an international conference 

to study the problems of monitoring a test ban. At this 

conference, held in Geneva, the U.S. unilaterally announced a 

test moratorium to begin on 1 November 1958, declaring a cessation in nuclear testing if the Soviet Union also refrained (32). 

Because the testing and improvement of various nuclear 

weapons was crucial to American defense policy, a number of tests 

needed to be conducted before the moratorium began (28). Between 

28 
28 April and 18 August 1958, 35 nuclear weapons tests were 

conducted at the Pacific Proving Ground as part of Operation 

HARDTACK Phase I. On 28 August 1958, after the Geneva 

Conferences, the President approved an accelerated series of 

nuclear tests code-named Operation MILLRACE to be completed at 

the NTS before the start of the moratorium (28). 

On 29 August 1958, by AEC directive, the name of the 

continental test series was changed from MILLRACE to Operation 

HARDTACK Phase II. This accelerated series was to consist of 32 

shots, including six nuclear weapons tests and eight safety 

experiments originally scheduled for Operation MILLRACE. As the 

operation progressed, six additional shots were added to the 

schedule, making a total of 38 devices to be tested. One of the 

weapons-related events, a 1,500-foot balloon shot called ADAMS, 

was scheduled for detonation on 31 October. The device was 

lowered and disarmed after midnight, however, because it had been 

determined that extensive overpressure damage to the nearby town 

of Indian Springs would have resulted from the detonation (28; 

35; 49). 

The objectives of Operation HARDTACK II were to: 

0 Test nuclear devices for possible inclusion in the 

defense arsenal 

a Test safety characteristics of nuclear devices 

0 Improve containment techniques for underground 

detonations. 

DOD participation at HARDTACK II was relatively small 

compared with previous nuclear weapons testing series because of 

the weapons development emphasis of the program and because of 

DOD involvement in HARDTACK I. The primary DOD participation at 

HARDTACK II was planned for Shots HAMILTON and HUMBOLDT. 

Participation by other Federal agencies with interest in the 

weapons test program was greatly curtailed because of the 

accelerated test schedule of HARDTACK II (5; 28; 49). 

29 
-- 

1.2 THE NEVADA TEST SITE 

The NTS, originally established as the Nevada Proving Ground 

by the AEC in December 1950, is located in the southeastern part 

of Nevada, 100 kilometers* northwest of Las Vegas, as shown in 

figure l-l. 

The NTS, depicted in figures l-2 and 1-3, is an area of high 

desert and mountain terrain in Nye County. On its eastern, 

northern, and western boundaries, the NTS adjoins the Nellis Air 

Force Range, of which it was originally a part. The NTS has been 

the location for most of the nuclear tests conducted within the 

continental U.S. from 1951 to the present. 

The HARDTACK II nuclear weapons tests and safety experiments 

were conducted in three areas of the NTS: Rainier Mesa, Yucca 

Flat, and Frenchman Flat. Rainier Mesa, in the northwest section 

of the NTS, is an area of rugged mountainous terrain. Yucca 

Flat, in the north-central part of the NTS, is a 320-square-kilometer desert valley surrounded by mountains. Frenchman Flat, 

which includes a 22-square-kilometer dry-lake basin, is in the 

southeastern part of the NTS. Yucca Flat and Frenchman Flat are 

linked by Mercury Highway, which extends north and south through 

Yucca Pass. Yucca Pass is the site of the Control Point and News 

Nob, a major observation area. The Control Point, which consists 

of several permanent buildings, is on the west side of Yucca 

Pass. Power and timing cables led from the control building to 

each test area in Yucca Flat and Frenchman Flat. The HARDTACK II 

shots were detonated from Building 1 at the Control Point. The 

Control Point was also the location of decontamination facilities 

for personnel and vehicles returning from the Yucca Flat and 

*Throughout this report, surface distances are given in metric 

units. The metric conversion factors include: 1 meter = 3.28 

feet; 1 meter = 1.09 yards; and 1 kilometer = 0.62 mile. 

Altitudes and other vertical distances are given in feet. 

30 
I 

I 

I 

OREGON IDAHO 

--p_ 1 - -_- -

;

r-I winnem{ 

I 

I UTAH 

ARIZONA’ -

t--

Nevada Test Site -T /

Indian lLas Vegas ’ ‘-I i Springs 1. , 

AFB ’ 

\) 

0

I 

Kilometers 

Figure l-l: LOCATION OF NEVADA TEST SITE 

31 
--- 

r-------- 1---- 1 

TAMALPAIS 

EVANS 

LOGAN --7 

BLANCA I 

MAZAMA

12 $3 ’ 

/_--___ I----

091 QUAY l 1 

I4 ---- L1 r----- BJY 

I HUMBOLDT 

I RIO ARRIBA 

iL_-_ 

News Nob 

I ’ \ 

\ 

HAMILTON 

WRANGELL 

i SANFORD 

Mercury I 

0

d 

Kilometers 

Figure l-2: LOCATIONS OF HARDTACK II NUCLEAR WEAPONS EVENTS 

WITHIN THE NEVADA TEST SITE 

32 
--- 

P 

N 

----C 

BERNALILLO SAN JUAN 

VALENCIA 

COLFAX 

11 I Lake ---

a 

I 

Frenchman 

Lake 

I 

Mercury 

0 

d 

Kilometers 

Figure l-3: LOCATIONS OF HARDTACK II SAFETY EXPERIMENTS WITHIN 

THE NEVADA TEST SITE 

33 
Frenchman Flat testing areas. The Air Operations Center, which 

controlled all aircraft conducting test support missions over the 

NTS, was also located at the Control Point. 

Mercury, situated on the southern boundary of the NTS, was 

the base of HARDTACK II management operations, the Nevada Test 

Site Organization. Mercury provided office and living quarters, 

as well as laboratory facilities and warehouses, for personnel 

participating in various test activities (28). 

Indian Springs Air Force Base (AFB) is located 30 kilometers 

east of Camp Mercury. This base served as the principal staging 

and decontamination area for Air Force aircraft participating in 

HARDTACK II (39; 40). 

1.3 SUMMARY OF OPERATION HARDTACK II EVENTS 

During the planning for Operation HARDTACK II, the AEC 

directed the DOD and the two AEC nuclear weapons development 

laboratories, the Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory (LASL) and the 

University of California Radiation Laboratory (UCRL), to indicate 

experimental areas that could be pursued. Based on the 

responses, the AEC scheduled the 37 events listed in tables l-1 

and l-2.* The first HARDTACK II detonation was a safety 

experiment, OTERO, conducted on 12 September. Inclement weather 

and technical difficulties caused some minor delays in subsequent 

tests. However, because of the accelerated testing timetable, as 

many as four detonations were held on one day, and all 37 tests 

were conducted within a 49-day period (5; 28). 

*Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) coordinates are used in 

tables l-l and l-2 and elsewhere in this report. The first 

three digits refer to a point on an east-west axis, and the 

second three digits refer to a point on a north-south axis. The 

point so designated is the southwest corner of an area 100 

meters square. 

34 
Table 1-1: SUMMARY OF OPERATION HARDTACK II NUCLEAR WEAPONS TESTS, 1958 

z 

CI 

w 

2

0 

s 

4 

:

+ 

z

5 a 

!!i 

5

3 

Ei 4 5

! ss1 

a 

m 

EK 

a 

Q

K 

P 

05 

:: 

-1 

iii :

9 

3 

ii 

Eo5

2 

P 

29

% 

92

ii 92 

Y 

{

2 

E 

l9

zE 

? 

k! 2 

3 

9

ri 

Sponsor 

Planned Date 

LASL 

19 Sept 

LASL 

28 Sept 

UCRL 

8 Ott 

LASL 

10 Ott 

LASL 

13 Ott 

DOD/ 

UCRL 

15 Ott 

UCRL 

15 Ott 

LASL 

16 Ott 

LASL 

18 Ott 

LASL 

21 Ott 

UCRL 

20 Ott 

UCRL 

19 Ott 

UCRL 

23 Ott 

LASL 

26 Ott 

UCRL 

24 Ott 

UCRL 

27 Ott 

DOD/ 

UCRL 

29 Ott 

LASL 

29 Ott 

UCRL 

29 Ott 

Actual Date 

Local Time” 

NTS Location 

19 Sept 

0700 

Area 7 

29 Sept 

0605 

Area 7 

8Oct 

1400 

Area 12 

10 Ott 

0630 

Area 7 

13 Ott 

0520 

Area 7 

15 Ott 

OXQ 

Area 5 

15 Ott 

22txl 

Area 12 

16 Ott 

0620 

Area 7 

18 Ott 

0625 

Area 3 

22 Ott 

0530 

Area 7 

22 Ott 

0850 

Area 5 

22 Ott 

1540 

Area 9 

26 Ott 

0220 

Area 5 

26 Ott 

oEo0 

Area 7 

29 Ott 

1600 

Area 12 

29 Ott 

0320 

Area 9 

29 Ott 

0645 

Area 3 

30 Ott 

1900 

Area 7 

30 Ott 

0700 

Area 12 

UTM Coordinates 867047 867047 709167 867057 867047 952732 709154 867047 867996 667047 956728 852100 856728 867047 706167 857091 867004 867047 704157 

Type 

Height of Burst 

Yield (kilotons) 

(feet) 

Balloon 

500 

0.083 

Balloon 

1.500 

2 

Tunnel 

-407 

0.072 

Tower 

loo 

0.079 

Balloon 

1,500 

1.4 

Tower 

50 

0.0012 

Tunnel 

-932 

5 

Balloon 

450 

0.037 

Tower 

72.5 

0.090 

Balloon 

1,450 

6 

Balloon 

1,500 

0.115 

Balloon 

500 

0.188 

Balloon 

1,500 

4.9 

Balloon 

1,500 

2.2 

Tunnel 

-852 

0.055 

Tower 

50 

NW+ 

Tower 

25 

0.0078 

Balloon 

1,500 

1.3 

Tunnel 

-987 

22. 

• Pacific Daylight 

t No measurable 

Time 

yield 

for Shot EDDY; Pacific Standard Time for all other shots. 
Table l-2: SUMMARY OF OPERATION HARDTACK II SAFETY EXPERIMENTS, 1959 

SHOT 

\ 

LASL LASL 1 IASL 1 UCRL 1 LASL 1 UCRL 1 LASL 1 LASL 1 UCRL 1 UCRL 1 LASL 1 UCRL 1 LASL 1 UCRL UCRL LASL 

Planned Date 11 Sept 17 Sept 21 Sept 23 Sept I I 26 Sept 27 Sept I 3 Ott I I 14 Ott 17 Ott I 20 Ott I 22 Ott 24 Ott I -I-l-- 23 Ott 25 Ott 27 Ott 

Actual Date 12 Sept 17 Sept 21 Sept 23 Sept 26 Sept 28 Sept 5 Ott 5 Ott 14 Ott 17 Ott 20 Ott 22 Ott 24 Ott 24 Ott 26 Ott 27 Ott 

Local Time’ 1300 1230 12cK-l 1500 1300 1700 0610 0815 loo0 1500 0636 1236 0700 6861 2gocr 0630 

NTS Location Area 3 Area 3 Area 3 Area 12 Area 3 Area 12 Area 7 Area 3 Area 12 Area 9 Area 3 Area 8 Area 3 Area 9 Area 8 Area 3 

UTM Coordinates 861007 859006 859005 709164 859X% 769163 868048 859665 710164 857087 861008 826154 8669% 855088 826152 862001 

Type Shaft Shah I Shaft I Tunnel 1 Shaft 1Tunnel I Balloon I Shaft ITunnel ISurface 1~Shaft [ To: TTewerlSurface Tower Tower 

Height of Burst (feet) -480 ~-456 -484

I 

-183 -484 -146 377 -356 -110 0 -234 25 72.5 0 25 52.5 

Yield (kilotons) 0.038 1 0.015 0.0015 Slight 0.002 0.013 0.077 0.0055 0.115 0.024 NMY+ NMY 0.021 0.0017 o.cr667 0.0006 

* Pacific Daylight Time for Shots OTERO through MARS; Pacific Standard Time for the remaining shots. 

t No measurable yield 
The 19 HARDTACK II nuclear weapons development tests were 

conducted in Area 5, which included Frenchman Flat, in Areas 3, 

7, and 9 of Yucca Flat, and in Area 12, which included part of 

the Rainier Mesa. There were ten balloon, four underground, and 

five tower detonations. The detonations ranged in yield from 

Shot BLANCA with 22 kilotons to Shot MAZAMA with no measurable 

yield. Shots HAMILTON and HUMBOLDT involved the largest numbers 

of DOD project participants. 

The 18 remaining HARDTACK II detonations were safety 

experiments conducted to determine the stability of newly 

developed nuclear weapons during transportation and storage. 

Elements of the high explosive portions of these devices were 

fired to simulate accidental damage and to determine the 

potential for such partial firings to result in a nuclear yield. 

Data gained from the tests were used to develop devices that 

could withstand accidents without sustaining a nuclear chain 

reaction and producing a nuclear detonation of four pounds yield 

or more. The 18 safety experiments were conducted in Areas 3, 7, 

8, 9, and 12. The shots consisted of six shaft, three tunnel, 

one balloon, five tower, and three surface detonations. The 

safety experiments ranged in yield from three shots that had no 

measurable yield to one detonation with a yield of 0.115 kiloton 

(5; 28; 41). 

1.4 DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE PARTICIPATION AT OPERATION HARDTACK II 

Estimates are that about 1,000 DOD personnel took part in 

Operation HARDTACK II. Fewer than 50 percent participated in 

test group activities. Of these participants, the majority were 

active in the DOD Effects Test Group, discussed below. The 

remaining DOD personnel were part of the administrative staff of 

the Nevada Test Site Organization, were assigned to the NTSO 

radiological safety organization, or were involved in Air Force 

Special Weapons Center (AFSWC) activities. 

37 
1.4.1 Nevada Test Site Organization Activities 

The Atomic Energy Commission, through the NTSO, was 

responsible for planning, coordinating, and executing the 

activities associated with Operation HARDTACK II. DOD personnel 

assisted AEC personnel in these tasks. These DOD participants, 

whose duties are discussed in chapter 2, were responsible for 

overseeing the technical and military objectives of the series 

for the DOD. 

DOD personnel took part in projects conducted by the DOD 

Effects Test Group, directed by Field Command, Armed Forces 

Special Weapons Project. The DOD used these projects to: 

0 Develop the delivery systems for employing nuclear 

weapons 

0 Design military equipment able to withstand the 

effects of a nuclear detonation 

0 Determine the military requirements for future 

nuclear weapons designs. 

The DOD Effects Test Group experiments were divided into three 

categories: 

• Basic measurements of the output characteristics of 

nuclear devices, such as blast, thermal, and 

radiation measurements 

• Tests to determine blast and thermal effects on 

structures, equipment, and material 

0 Tests of instruments developed to increase the 

reliability of basic measurements of the 

characteristic outputs of a nuclear device. 

Table l-3 lists the DOD Effects Test Group programs and the 

projects that were part of the programs. Programs 3, 5, and 7 

were not conducted at HARDTACK II but were performed in the 

oceanic phase, HARDTACK I. 

38 
Table 1-3: DOD EFFECTS TEST GROUP PROGRAMS INDICATING PARTICIPATION 

BY SHOT 

-

Shot 

B 

\

Program 

z 

B 

-

2 

2 

- 9 

f 

W 

9 

B 

f 

P 

2

- Program 1 1.7 1.7 1.7 1.7 1.7 1.7 

Blast 

Measurements 

- - -

Program 2 2.12a 

2.12b 

Nuclear 2.12c 

Radiation 2.12d 

and Effects 2.13 

- - -

Program 4 4.2 

4.3 

Biomedical 

Effects 

-

Program 6 6.14 6.14 6.14 6.14 6.14 

6.15’ j.15 6.15 6.15 6.15 6.15 

Tests of 

Service 

Equipment 

and Materials 

- -

Program 8 8.8 8.8 6.8 B.8 a.0 0.0 8.8 8.8 

Thermal 

Radiation 

and Effects 

*This project was also conducted at the following safety experiments: MARS, HIDALGO, NEPTUNE, and VESTA 

39 
In addition to conducting five programs at HARDTACK II, the 

DOD Effects Test Group coordinated the participation of a 

detachment from the 1352nd Motion Picture Squadron, Lookout 

Mountain Air Force Station. The detachment, consisting of a 

project officer and six cameramen, photographed various test 

events, including weapons assembly, several of the detonations, 

and Project 4.2 activities. 

Four other test groups conducted pro%jects at Operation 

HARDTACK II: 

0 Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory Test Group 

• University of California Radiation Laboratory 

Test Group 

• Civil Effects Test Group (CETG) 

• Office of Civil and Defense Mobilization (OCDM)* 

Test Group. 

The LASL and UCRL Test Groups, with scientists from LASL, UCRL, 

the Sandia Corporation, and Edgerton, Germeshausen, and Grier, 

Incorporated (EG&G), performed diagnostic tests of the nuclear 

devices. The CETG and the OCDM Test Group conducted projects to 

assess the effects of nuclear detonations on shelters, products, 

and food supplies and to evaluate civil effects emergency 

preparedness plans. 

1.4.2 Air Force Special Weapons Center Support Missions 

The Air Force Special Weapons Center played an operational 

and support, role in many of the scientific and diagnostic 

projects conducted at the NTS during Operation HARDTACK II. 

Based at Kirtland AFB in Albuquerque, New Mexico, AFSWC used 

*Prior to 1 July 1958, OCDM was known as the Federal Civil 

Defense Administration (FCDA). 

40 
Indian Springs AFB in Nevada as its principal staging area. 

AFSWC provided the aircraft and personnel required for cloudsampling missions, sample courier missions, cloud-tracking 

missions, aerial surveys, weather-r econnaissance missions, and 

other air support as requested by the NTSO. The 4950th Test 

Group (Nuclear) was the principal AFSWC unit involved in HARDTACK 

II. The 4950th consisted of four organizations, three of which 

participated in the operation. The 4926th Test Squadron 

(Sampling) and the 4952nd Support Squadron (Test) were located at 

Kirtland AFB. The 4935th Air Base Squadron was the permanent 

unit at Indian Springs AFB and was central to the mission of that 

base. Other Air Force units involved in Operation HARDTACK II 

included the 4900th Air Base Group from Kirtland AFB, elements of 

the 20th Helicopter Squadron of the Tactical Air Command (TAC), 

and the 865th Air Control and Warning Squadron of the Air Defense 

Command. Tables 1-4 and l-5 summarize AFSWC participation in 

support missions during HARDTACK II (39; 40). 

The 4950th Test Group (Nuclear) planned the air operations 

for HARDTACK II and provided personnel for the Air Support Group 

of the Test Manager's staff. These personnel, who were from 

other AFSWC and Air Force units, arrived at the NTS from extended 

temporary duty in the Pacific Proving Ground and were rotated 

with other personnel between the NTS and Kirtland AFB (39; 40). 

The Air Operations Center, located at the Control Point in 

Yucca Pass, maintained operational control over all nuclear test 

aircraft flying in the area of the NTS during the operation. The 

Air Operations Center operated daily and was responsible for 

clearance of aircraft into the NTS and for coordinating cloudsampling and cloud-tracking information during each nuclear test 

(39; 40). 

The 4926th Test Squadron (Sampling), the principal mission 

unit of the 4950th Test Group (Nuclear), gathered radioactive 

41 
•• ••

••

•• ••

•• ••

••

Table 1-4: AFSWC SUPPORT FOR THE HARDTACK II NUCLEAR WEAPONS DETONATIONS 

_.--_ 

Tracking 

Aerial 

Survey 

. . 

•

I 

a 

I I 

•

I I 

Flare 

Droo 0 

Aerial 

Photography 

Radio 

Relay 0 

Observer 

Table 1-5: AFSWC SUPPORT FOR THE HARDTACK II SAFETY EXPERIMENTS 

Shot 

\ 

Cloud 

Sampling 

Cloud 

Tracking 

Sample 

Courier 

Aerial 

Photography 

Observer 

-

a 

3 8 

9 !I B a

cr 3 3 3 I 

-

42 
samples from nuclear clouds for laboratory analysis. The 4926th 

provided the aircraft, usually B-57s, and personnel to conduct 

cloud sampling for the LASL and UCRL Test Groups. The Sample 

Recovery Section of the 4926th Test Squadron was a ground support 

unit that removed samples from the sampling aircraft. In 

addition to cloud sampling, the 4926th Test Squadron operated two 

T-33 aircraft for high-altitude cloud tracking. These aircraft 

were loaned to the 4926th by the 4900th Air Base Group. The 

4926th Test Squadron was based at Kirtland AFB; it staged, 

however, from Indian Springs AFB and maintained a forward element 

of personnel to fulfill operational requirements for Operation 

HARDTACK II. Major maintenance was performed at Kirtland AFB 

(39; 40). 

The 4952nd Support Squadron, also based at Kirtland AFB, 

provided augmentation personnel to the 4950th Test Group 

(Nuclear) and to the 4935th Air Base Squadron throughout 

Operation HARDTACK II (39; 40). 

The 4935th Air Base Squadron, based at Indian Springs AFB, 

provided regular airbase functions to all personnel at Indian 

Springs AFB in support of the nuclear testing (39; 40). 

The 4900th Air Base Group, based at Kirtland AFB, provided 

transport services for test personnel between Kirtland AFB and 

Indian Springs AFB and performed sample courier missions to LASL 

and UCRL, low-level cloud-tracking missions, and other support 

services for the NTSO, as requested (39; 40). 

The 20th Helicopter Squadron from the Tactical Air Command 

furnished H-21 helicopters for use in support missions. The H-21 

helicopters staged from Indian Springs AFB and areas within the 

NTS (39; 40). 

43 
Elements of the 865th Air Control and Warning Squadron of the 

Air Defense Command, located on Angel's Peak about 35 kilometers 

southeast of Indian Springs AFB, provided support for the Air 

Support Group as an auxiliary Air Operations Center. This support 

was needed because much of the 4950th Test Group aircraft and 

control equipment was enroute from the Pacific Proving Ground 

during Operation HARDTACK II. The Auxiliary Air Operations Center 

at Angel's Peak was manned on shot-days from one hour before the 

first aircraft left until the last mission aircraft landed. The 

center provided continuous flight communications for cloudtracking and cloud-sampling aircraft and pinpointed positions for 

these aircraft at specified times (39; 40). 

The personnel strength of these units for NTS operations 

during the HARDTACK II operational period was as follows (40): 

Unit Peak Average 

4950th 18 11 

4926th 49 37 

4952nd 67 53 

4935th 251 251 

Other 27 21 

412 373 

Cloud Sampling 

An important objective of Operation HARDTACK II was 

obtaining samples of fission products from the nuclear 

detonations so that the yields and efficiencies of the nuclear 

devices could be determined. 

LASL and UCRL required particulate samples for analysis as 

part of their scientific programs. The 4926th Test Squadron 

(Sampling) collected these samples by using specially modified 

wing-tip tanks on B-57B aircraft. Valves controlled 'by the pilot 

44 
could be opened to allow an airstream to pass through the wingtip tank. The airstream, containing radioactive particulates 

from the cloud, would strike against a filter paper held by a 

grid within the tip-tank. An ion chamber located in the wing-tip 

tank and connected to a meter in the cockpit indicated to the 

pilot the size and quantity of the sample collected. 

Sampling aircraft were equipped with various types of 

radiological instruments that provided data on the exposures of 

the crew during flight. In addition, the crews of sampling 

aircraft were required to wear film badges. 

Approximately 30 minutes before a detonation, a B-57B 

sampler control aircraft took off from Indian Springs AFB. It 

orbited about 30 kilometers south of ground zero until the 

detonation. The sampler control aircraft was manned by a pilot 

and a scientific advisor from either LASL or UCRL, depending on 

the sponsor of the detonation (34; 39; 40; 56). 

After the detonation, the B-57B sampler control aircraft 

followed and observed the formation and dissipation of the cloud. 

During this time, the scientific advisor evaluated the cloud 

structure and determined the areas from which sampler aircraft 

would collect particulate samples. 

Acting on advice from the scientific advisor, the Air 

Operations Center alerted the B-57B sampling aircraft for 

takeoff. The Air Operations Centers at Yucca Pass and Angel's 

Peak maintained radar surveillance of these aircraft, which they 

vectored to the approximate location of the sample control 

aircraft. There, the sampling aircraft were placed within range 

of a low-frequency homing device installed on the sampler control 

aircraft. 

45 
As each sampling aircraft rendezvoused with the B-57B 

sampler control aircraft, it was placed under the control of the 

scientific advisor, and final cloud penetration information was 

relayed from the sampler control aircraft to the sampling aircraft. The scientific advisor directed sampling aircraft to make 

one or more penetrations of the cloud at varying altitudes and 

locations to gather particulate cloud debris (34; 39; 40; 56). 

After the sampling mission was completed, the sampling 

aircraft were returned to the control of the Air Operations 

Centers and directed to Indian Springs AFB. Upon landing, pilots 

shut down the engines. They kept the canopies closed and 

latched, however, until ground personnel removed the samples 

from the aircraft. The crew remained within the enclosed 

cockpits and on full oxygen during the removal of the samples. 

The sample removal team used long-handled tools to take the 

sample filter papers from each wing pod and place them in 

shielded containers. 

After the samples were removed and stored, the crews shut 

down their oxygen supplies and opened their canopies. They 

stepped from the cockpit onto a platform on a forklift so they 

would not touch the contaminated outer surfaces of the aircraft. 

They were taken in pickup trucks to the decontamination station 

at Indian Springs AFB. The trucks then returned to the aircraft, 

where they were loaded with the samples, which were transported 

to the waiting courier aircraft for delivery to LASL or UCRL for 

analysis. 

Sample Courier Missions 

The purpose of AFSWC courier service, provided by the 4900th 

Air Base Group, was to deliver samples and data from HARDTACK II 

research projects to LASL and UCRL facilities. The samples and 

data were to be delivered two to three hours after each 

detonation (39; 40). 

46 
Courier aircraft were usually brought to Indian Springs AFB 

on the day before a detonation. The sample return coordinator 

then briefed the aircrews. Following the detonation, the samples 

from the cloud-sampling mission and from ground projects were 

packaged and loaded aboard the courier aircraft. The radiation 

intensities of the samples were monitored, and an isolation area 

was established around the package. Courier aircrews, who were 

required to wear film badges, flew the samples to LASL representatives at Kirtland AFB for subsequent transport to LASL or to 

UCRL representatives at Alameda Naval Air Station, California, 

for subsequent transport to UCRL. Twenty-two courier missions, 

using C-47 and B-25 aircraft, were conducted during HARDTACK II. 

Cloud Tracking 

The objective of cloud tracking, conducted at 28 HARDTACK II 

events, was to record the path of the cloud and monitor its 

radiation intensity in order to expedite civil airway closure, if 

required (39; 40). Radiological safety personnel on board the 

aircraft, which followed the path of the cloud, monitored and 

reported radiation intensities to the Test Manager to confirm or 

alter existing air closures. 

C-47, L-20, and B-25 aircraft assigned to Indian Springs AFB 

or provided by Kirtland AFB flew low-altitude cloud-tracking 

missions. T-33 aircraft from the 4926th Test Squadron (Sampling) 

conducted high-altitude cloud tracking. 

Standard cloud-tracking missions began with the departure of 

cloud-tracking aircraft from Indian Springs AFB immediately after 

the detonation. The aircraft entered the NTS area and established 

contact with the Air Operations Center. At the direction of the 

Air Operations Center, they began cloud tracking. Cloud tracking 

usually began immediately after cloud-sampling aircraft had left 

the area (39). 

47 
After the Air Operations Center had cleared the cloud 

trackers to proceed, they intercepted the cloud, approaching the 

visible portion until they encountered a radiation intensity of 

0.005 R/h. At that time, the aircraft turned out from the cloud 

as sharply as possible. By repeating this procedure throughout 

the mission, the cloud trackers determined the progression and 

extent of the cloud. They tracked the cloud either until it 

dissipated or until the Test Manager directed them to stop. The 

aircraft then returned to Indian Springs AFB or Kirtland AFB 

(39; 40). 

Aerial Surveys and Security Sweeps 

Several support aircraft made low-altitude radiological 

surveys of the terrain in and around the NTS to determine when 

recovery parties could safely enter the shot area after each 

detonation and to determine the safety of personnel in the area 

surrounding the NTS. The 4935th Air Base Squadron operated 

several types of aircraft for aerial surveys, including three 

H-21 helicopters from the TAC 20th Helicopter Squadron. After a 

detonation, H-21s left the Control Point area and conducted lowaltitude surveys of the test area to determine radiological 

conditions at critical recovery locations. The Test Manager 

determined the departure of these aircraft. Radiological safety 

monitors from Reynolds Electrical and Engineering Company 

(REECo), an AEC contractor, briefed pilots, directed flight 

patterns, made radiation measurements, and decontaminated the 

helicopters as necessary. Constant radio contact with the Air 

Operations Center was mandatory during these missions. 

Security sweeps included a preshot flight around the shot 

area several hours before a scheduled nuclear test. One of two 

L-20 aircraft with a pilot and a security officer usually 

conducted the flight. The aircraft flew at low altitudes around 

the boundaries of the test area before the detonation to make 

sure no unauthorized personnel were approaching the cleared test 

area (39; 40). 

4% 
During HARDTACK II, 44 helicopter missions and 92 L-20 

missions were completed in direct support of the nuclear events. 

These missions included radiological surveys of the terrain after 

a detonation and security sweeps of the NTS before each 

detonation (39; 40). 

49 
CHAPTER 2 

FUNCTIONS OF THE NEVADA TEST SITE ORGANIZATION 

DURING OPERATION HARDTACK II 

The Nevada Test Site Organization was responsible for 

planning and managing Operation HARDTACK II. The chief 

Government agencies represented in the NTSO were the Atomic 

Energy Commission, the Department of Defense, and the Office of 

Civil and Defense Mobilization. Other participants at HARDTACK 

II included Federal agencies involved in support work, research 

laboratories, and private firms under contract to the Government. 

DOD personnel participated in the activities of many of these 

organizations. 

The Director of the AEC Division of Military Application 

supervised nuclear test operations from AEC headquarters in 

Washington, D.C. He delegated responsibility for test 

preparations at the Nevada Test Site to the Manager of the 

Albuquerque Operations Office. This responsibility included 

appointing the officials in charge of the nuclear test series and 

supervising the various test activities. Figure 2-l shows the 

lines of authority from the President through the AEC and the DOD 

to the test organization (1; 2; 28). 

The principal DOD agency for coordinating the nuclear test 

requirements of the military services was the Armed Forces 

Special Weapons Project, created in January 1947 by a Memorandum 

Order signed by the Secretaries of War and the Navy. At the 

operational level during nuclear testing series, the relationship 

of the AEC with AFSWP was formalized in a memorandum signed by 

representatives of both the AEC and Field Command, AFSWP. The 

memorandum, dated 16 February 1953, stated that in matters 

relating to military participation at the NTS the Test Manager 

50 
President I 

Director. 

Office of Civil 

and Defense 

Mobilization 

AK 

Commissioners --. 

4 , I 4 

AEC Joint 

General Chiefs 

Manager of 

Staff 

Director, Chief, Division of -------____ AFSWP Military 

Application 1 

Nevada Test 

Site Organization 

- Command 

-a- Liaison and Coordination 

Figure 2-1: NEVADA TEST SITE ORGANIZATION STRUCTURE 

WITHIN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT 

51 
(the senior AEC official) was responsible to the Commander, Field 

Command, AFSWP. In matters not relating to military participation, the Test Manager reported to the AEC Director of the 

Division of Military Application. A letter from the AEC to the 

Assistant of the Secretary of Defense for Atomic Energy confirmed 

this agreement (38; 54; 63). 

Pursuant to an act of Congress, an Executive Order 

established the Office of Civil and Defense Mobilization on 

1 July 1958, by consolidating the Federal Civil Defense 

Administration with the Office of Defense Mobilization. The 

purpose of OCDM involvement at HARDTACK II was to obtain 

technical and scientific information on the effects of nuclear 

weapons to help the Federal Government plan protective measures 

for civilians in case of a nuclear war. 

2.1 THE NEVADA TEST SITE ORGANIZATION 

On 23 July 1958, the President approved the conduct of the 

fall 1958 test series, originally designated Operation MILLRACE. 

On the same day, the AEC Division of Military Application issued 

a directive establishing the NTSO. On 7 August 1958, the AEC 

Albuquerque Operations Office appointed the senior AEC official 

for the NTSO, the Test Manager (28). 

The Division of Military Application based the organizational plan of NTSO on that of its predecessor at Operation 

PLUMBBOB, the Nevada Test Organization. It reorganized 

communication channels, however, because Desert Rock exercises 

were not conducted during HARDTACK II, as they had been during 

Operation PLUMBBOB. The most important changes made in 

developing the NTSO were (28): 

• Abolishing the Test Director's office and 

organization 

a Consolidating all coordinating functions under the 

Test Manager. 

52 
2.1.1 Test Manager's Organization 

The Test Manager was responsible for the overall direction 

of Operation HARDTACK II. This responsibility included 

scheduling the shots, coordinating the agencies involved in the 

weapons effects projects, and supervising the staff units that 

performed support functions for the test participants. 

A large and diversified organization supported the Test 

Manager in fulfilling his duties. This organization, shown in 

figure 2-2, consisted of civilian and military personnel from the 

AEC, DOD, and Government contractors. The Test Manager was 

assisted by a Deputy Test Manager and a Deputy Test Manager for 

Military Matters, who was an AFSWP officer in charge of all DOD 

activities. DOD participation was chiefly confined to the DOD 

Effects Test Group, the Air Support Group, and the DOD Support 

Group (28). 

The NTS Planning Board advised the Test Manager in matters 

relating to the overall planning for weapons tests. The board 

recommended the basic test schedule, the areas for the proposed 

shots, the support requirements for operations, and the 

assignment of tasks to the appropriate support organizations. 

The board members were drawn from Field Command, AFSWP, and from 

three contractor laboratories: the Los Alamos Scientific 

Laboratory, the University of California Radiation Laboratory, 

and the Sandia Corporation (28). 

The Advisory Panel advised the Test Manager on the 

feasibility of proceeding with a scheduled nuclear event. The 27 

members of the panel, who were chosen from the AEC, the DOD, the 

weapons development laboratories, the U.S. Public Health Service 

(USPHS), and the National Institutes of Health, were acquainted 

with AEC test policy and the scientific and technical information 

necessary to evaluate operating conditions (28). 

53 
--- 

Fallout PredIctIon 

Blast PredIctIon 

Llalson

. . F staff 

Group 

UCRL 

Effects 

Test 

AEC DOD 

Support Group Suppon 

Support Director Group 

USPHS - Command OfFsite 

Liaison and Monitoring 

Figure 2-2: NEVADA TEST SITE ORGANIZATION 
The Advisory Panel relied on the Prediction 

operating conditions. The Prediction Group was 

three units (28): 

Group 

divided 

to assess 

into 

a Weather Prediction 

0 Fallout Prediction 

0 Blast Prediction. 

The Weather Prediction Unit consisted of 34 meteorologists, 

aides, technicians, and clerks. Twenty-six of these personnel 

were from the U.S. Weather Bureau. The remaining eight were 

employees of REECo. The Weather Prediction Unit was located at 

the Camp Mercury Weather Station and had one onsite observation 

station at Yucca Flat and six observation stations at Tonopah, 

China Lake, Beatty, and Alamo, Nevada; St. George, Utah; and 

Shoshone, California (28). 

The Fallout Prediction Unit, located at Camp Mercury, was 

staffed by the U.S. Weather Bureau. During the first half of 

Operation HARDTACK II, one Sandia Corporation employee was 

assigned to the Fallout Prediction Unit, and one man from OCDM 

worked for the unit for about three weeks. The Fallout 

Prediction Unit estimated the extent and path of fallout by 

comparing expected weather conditions, expected yield, and 

topographical conditions with actual fallout patterns from 

earlier shots (28). 

The Blast Prediction Unit, staffed by the Sandia Corporation, was located at Camp Mercury. Personnel established manned 

microbarograph stations at the Control Point, Las Vegas, and 

Boulder City, Nevada; Bishop and Inyokern, California; and 

St. George, Utah. Two mobile stations functioned at various 

locations dependent upon operational and weather conditions (28). 

55 
Four staffs assisted the Test Manager (28): 

Administrative 

• Test Information 

0 

0 

Liaison 

0 Technical. 

The Administrative Staff consisted of AEC personnel, 

primarily from the Albuquerque Operations Office. It handled 

clerical and administrative matters for the Test Manager's 

Organization (28). 

The Test Information Staff, with AEC, DOD, and OCDM 

employees, coordinated the activities of the NTSO Office of Test 

Information. The office informed the public of activities at the 

NTS and processed media personnel for entry into the NTS to 

observe certain nuclear detonations (28). 

The Liaison Staff, composed of personnel from the AEC 

Division of Military Application and Division of Biology and 

Medicine, maintained contact with Federal agencies, Government 

contractors, weapons development laboratories, and the NTSO. 

The Technical Staff, consisting of AEC and contractor 

personnel, was primarily responsible for the safety of HARDTACK 

II participants. This included onsite radiological safety, which 

was the direct responsibility of the Deputy Test Manager. The 

Technical Staff also maintained contact with the Civil Aeronautics Administration to ensure that commercial and private 

aircraft were rerouted away from radioactive clouds outside the 

NTS during detonation periods (28). 

The Test Manager had assistance from contractors and 

Government agencies that provided technical support for 

56 
HARDTACK II. The main organizations involved in this type of 

support were (28): 

Edgerton, Germeshausen, and Grier, Incorporated 

Sandia Corporation 

Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory 

University of California Radiation Laboratory 

U.S. Weather Bureau 

U.S. Geological Survey 

U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey 

0 U.S. Public Health Service 

0 Air Force Special Weapons Center 

0 Reynolds Electrical and Engineering Company. 

The only DOD agency among the above organizations was AFSWC, 

which supervised the HARDTACK II Air Support Group. AFSWC was 

formed in 1949 to provide air support to the DOD, the AEC, and 

Government contractors in nuclear testing programs. During 

HARDTACK II, AFSWC provided many of the aircraft and personnel 

required for cloud-sampling, sample courier, and cloud-tracking 

missions, aerial surveys, and weather reconnaissance missions. 

The principal AFSWC unit for HARDTACK II was the 4950th Test 

Group (Nuclear), based at Kirtland AFB (28; 40). 

The Test Manager appointed coordinators for support 

services, operations, engineering and construction, and 

contractors. The coordinators drew their staffs from the AEC 

and from a number of contractors, including REECo, Holmes and 

Narver, and the Sandia Corporation (28). 

The AEC Support Group, administered by the AEC Support 

Director, provided logistical support for the AEC and its contractors. Most of the support activities were conducted by contractors or Government agencies under the AEC, as shown below (28): 

0 Visitor's Bureau: AEC, REECo 

0 Transportation: REECo 

57 
0 Communications: 

Incorporated 

AEC; REECo; Holmes and Narver, 

0 Engineering and Construction: REECo, 

Narver, Incorporated 

Holmes and 

0 Security: Federal Services, Incorporated 

0 Offsite Radiological Safety: USPHS 

0 Camp Mercury Management: AEC, REECo. 

The DOD Support Group consisted of four officers and 37 

enlisted men. The DOD Support Director and his staff from Field 

Command, AFSWP, were responsible for (28): 

0 DOD Security 

• DOD Visitor's Bureau 

0 DOD Public Information Office 

0 DOD Motor Pool 

a DOD Dispensary 

0 DOD Administration and Finance. 

2.1.2 The Effects Test Groups 

The effects test groups, listed in figure 2-2 and discussed 

in chapter 1, were responsible for planning and implementing the 

scientific, technical, and diagnostic programs which were the 

principal reason for conducting HARDTACK II. To allow the AEC, 

the DOD, and the weapons development laboratories greater 

flexibility in developing and conducting their programs, the 

Division of Military Application organized the effects test 

groups outside the administrative structure of the Test Manager's 

Organization. The Test Manager, however, retained ultimate 

control over these groups (28). 

58 
CHAPTER 3 

RADIATION PROTECTION AT OPERATION HARDTACK II 

In addition to the thermal and blast effects associated with 

a conventional explosive device, a nuclear detonation also 

produces ionizing radiation. To protect HARDTACK II participants 

from unnecessary exposure to ionizing radiation, the Nevada Test 

Site Organization and the Air Force Special Weapons Center 

developed radiological safety procedures. These procedures 

included (28; 49): 

Orientation and training: preparing radiation 

monitors for their work and familiarizing other 

participants with radiological safety procedures 

Personnel dosimetry: issuing, exchanging, developing, and evaluating gamma and neutron exposures 

recorded on film badges 

Use of protective equipment: providing anticontamination equipment, including clothing 

respiratory protection 

and 

Monitoring: performing radiological surveys and 

controlling access to radiation areas 

Decontamination: monitoring, containing, removing, 

and disposing of contamination on personnel, 

vehicles, and equipment. 

The AEC defined permissible radiation exposure levels and 

instructed the Test Manager to implement overall procedures for 

the NTSO, which included the Department of Defense Effects Test 

Group, the test groups of the AEC nuclear weapons development 

laboratories, the Civil Effects Test Group, the Office of Civil 

and Defense Mobilization Test Group, and AFSWC. The radiological 

procedures used by the NTSO and AFSWC at HARDTACK II were 

essentially the same as those used for Operation PLUMBBOB, the 

1957 nuclear weapons testing series (28). 

59 
Sections 3.1 and 3.2 discuss the radiological safety 

activities during Operation HARDTACK II. Each section addresses 

maximum permissible levels of exposure, the structure of the 

radiological safety organizations, and the procedures used by 

each organization to control individual exposures to ionizing 

radiation. 

3.1 RADIATION PROTECTION FOR THE NEVADA TEST SITE ORGANIZATION 

The Test Manager was responsible for the radiological safety 

of all NTSO personnel involved in onsite and offsite activities 

during Operation HARDTACK II. Operational control of onsite 

radiological safety was delegated to the Deputy Test Manager, 

while offsite radiological safety was the responsibility of the 

Support Director. The Radiological Safety Division of REECo 

conducted onsite radiological activities. REECo also provided 

support to AFSWC at the NTS and Indian Springs AFB. Personnel 

from the USPHS conducted all offsite radiological monitoring, 

under the direction of the offsite Radiological Safety Officer. 

The NTSO radiological safety program worked within guidelines 

recommended by the AEC Division of Biology and Medicine and 

accepted by the Test Manager. Individual exposures were limited 

to 3 rem of gamma and neutron radiation per quarter calendar year 

and not more than 5 rem annually. This was essentially the same 

as the accepted occupational exposure limit recommended by the 

National Committee on Radiation Protection and Measurements (28). 

The operational responsibilities of the NTSO onsite Radiological Safety Division were to (49): 

0 Provide guidance and training in radiological 

procedures and situations to participants 

a Provide radiac equipment and maintenance services 

onsite and offsite 

0 Maintain dosimetry and records service for all 

organizations participating in the operation 

onsite and offsite 

60 
0 Conduct radiological surveys and plot isointensity 

maps 

0 Provide monitors to projects without certified 

monitors 

0 Conduct personnel and vehicle decontamination.

3.1.1 Organization and Responsibilities 

The Test Manager was responsible for all radiological safety 

during Operation HARDTACK II. During periods of testing, the 

Deputy Test Manager assumed responsibility for radiological 

safety in the shot areas. He was assisted by the Radiological 

Safety Officer, who coordinated the support activities of the 

REECo Radiological Safety Division. Division personnel provided 

all onsite radiological safety support (28). 

During periods when there was no testing, the Support Director 

was responsible for onsite radiological safety. He was also 

responsible for the offsite monitoring program conducted by USPHS 

personnel. The Support Director was assisted by a Radiological 

Safety Officer appointed by the AEC to coordinate USPHS activities 

during offsite monitoring. The Radiological Safety Division, 

operated by REECo, also provided some support for the offsite 

program. Figure 3-1 shows a chart of the NTSO radiological safety 

organization (28; 47). 

3.1.2 Onsite Operations 

The Radiological Safety Division had four branches during 

Operation HARDTACK II: Weapons Test, Laboratory, Instrument 

Maintenance, and Reactor. AFSWP monitoring personnel assigned to 

the Weapons Test Branch augmented the REECo radiological safety 

personnel. Members of these branches were responsible for all 

61 
Deputy Test Manager 

Support Director 

NTSO Radiological AEC Radiological 

Safety Officer Safety Officer 

-TI 7 

I 

Command 

- - - - - Liaison 

Figure 3-l: THE NTSO RADIOLOGICAL SAFETY ORGANIZATION 

62 

I 
onsite radiological safety activities and functions. 

Specifically, the Radiological Safety Division provided (49): 

Instructions for radiological safety monitors and 

participants 

0 

Film badges and exposure records to determine the 

exposure of participants onsite and offsite to gamma 

and neutron radiation 

0 

0 Radiation protection instruments, equipment, and 

clothing to personnel entering onsite and offsite 

radiation areas 

0 Monitoring of radiation areas and control of personnel access into these areas 

0 Isointensity contour maps of the shot areas and 

radiation information to personnel entering the 

areas 

0 Decontamination of personnel, vehicles, and equipment. 

Figure 3-2 shows radiological safety procedures followed for 

personnel entering radiation areas. The following sections 

describe the procedures. 

Instruction 

Before HARDTACK II began, the Radiological Safety Division 

conducted 40-hour basic radiation monitoring courses for the 

radiological safety monitors. The courses consisted of lectures 

in basic mathematics, basic nuclear physics, nuclear weapons 

effects, biological effects of radiation, and maximum permissible 

exposures, as well as demonstrations in radiation detection and 

measurement and in radiological safety procedures. After 

completion of the course, each monitor participated in three to 

six weeks of training with a senior monitor. This training 

continued during HARDTACK II. During the operation, the training 

section briefed official visitors on radiation effects and 

radiological safety. The section also gave occasional lectures 

to participating organizations (49). 

63 
Camp Mercury 

Obtain film badge 

r 

Control Point Building 2, 

Building 6 

Review accumulated exposure 

Obtain access permit 

Obtain briefing 

Obtain anticontamination 

clothing 

Obtain pocket dosimeters 

Obtain monitor for party 

Radiological Safety 

Check Station /::II”.“:, Check Access Permit 

Have contamination sticker 

placed on vehicle 

Camp Mercury 

Enter film badge data into 

exposure reports to maintain accumulated exposure 

records 

Control Point Building 2 

Decontaminate personnel 

Exchange film badge 

Return pocket dosimeters 

Return anticontamination 

clothing 

Radiological Safety 

Check Station 

Have vehicle monitored 

Have contamination sticker 

removed if vehicle is not 

contaminated 

Have contamination sticker 

applied to contaminated 

materials 

Control Point Building 6 

Have vehicle decontaminated 

Have materials decontaminated 

Figure 3-2: PROCEDURE FOLLOWED BY PERSONNEL ENTERING AND LEAVING 

RADIATION AREAS 
Dosimetry and Records 

Personnel from the Radiological Safety Division provided 

dosimetry service and maintained exposure records for NTSO 

personnel, both civilian and military. The procedure was to 

issue a film badge to each individual entering the NTS. The film 

badges were color-coded to indicate the month of issue. Computer 

cards, numbered to coincide with the number on each film badge, 

were labeled with the participant's identification information. 

Participants exchanged film badges upon leaving a radiation area 

and at the end of each month (28; 37; 49). 

Permanent exchange stations were in Building 111 at the NTS 

Main Gate, in the Radiological Safety Division Office at Camp 

Mercury, and in Building 2 at the Control Point. During monthly 

exchange periods, temporary stations were established in the 

cafeteria and the recreation building at Mercury. Individuals 

leaving the test area turned in their film badges at one of these 

exchange stations. The film badges were developed and the 

optical density measured with an Eberline FD-11 densitometer. 

The corresponding dose information was entered on the computer 

cards that corresponded by number to the person's film badge. 

Master exposure record computer cards were then prepared from 

these cards to show individual cumulative exposures. These 

master exposure cards were color-coded by cumulative exposure: 

0 Manila cards indicated a gamma exposure of less than 

2 rem for the quarter year and less than 4 rem for 

the year. 

a Blue cards indicated a gamma exposure of 2 rem or 

more for the quarter year but less than 4 rem for 

the year. 

• Red cards indicated an exposure of 4 rem or more for 

the year. 

The exposure record cards were maintained and updated daily and 

made available to the radiological safety personnel who issued 

access permits to participants entering radiation areas. NTSO 

65 
supervisors used exposure reports generated from the master cards 

to control individual accumulated doses (37; 49). 

The film badge issued to all personnel contained the DuPont 

Dosimeter film packet 559, consisting of a low-range and a highrange film component. The low-range film measured doses of 0.02 

to 10 rem, and the high-range component recorded radiation levels 

of 5 to 800 rem. This packet of films, which had a lead clip 

covering a portion of both sides, was enclosed in a waterproof 

plastic covering (49). 

More than 15,562 film badges were processed. The number of 

film badges processed daily ranged from 45 to more than 1,100, 

depending on participation in the various shot activities. The 

numbers of film badges issued for each weekly period during 

HARDTACK II are included with equipment and clothing distribution 

information in the next section. Exposure records were 

maintained on 7,657 individuals (28; 49). 

The Radiological Safety Division also issued film badges in 

bulk lots to the AFSWC personnel at Indian Springs AFB and to the 

USPHS offsite radiological safety personnel. Indian Springs AFB 

badges were processed as onsite badges, while most of the badges 

for the offsite organization were collected and processed at the 

end of the operation (49). 

Logistics 

The Radiological Safety Division procured and maintained 

equipment and supplies for onsite and offsite personnel during 

HARDTACK II. This division's responsibilities included issuing, 

repairing, maintaining, and storing radiac devices, clothing, and 

equipment used by project participants as well as by division 

personnel. 

Anticontamination clothing and supplies, such as coveralls, 

shoe covers, respiratory equipment, gloves, surgeon's caps, 

66 
socks, underclothing, plastic bags, and masking tape, were 

available in Building 2 at the Control Point for personnel 

entering radiation areas. The equipment was issued when an 

individual was given an access permit card. A record of the 

issued equipment was listed on the access permit. The equipment 

was returned to Building 2 for decontamination and laundering 

after personnel returned from a radiation area. The following 

listing presents the number of radiological safety items issued 

at HARDTACK II for weekly periods (49): 

Film Shoe 

Period Badges Coveralls Covers Respirators Gloves MiscelProcessed (Pro) (Pr.) laneous* 

g/8-9/14 990 161 193 75 160 205 

g/15-9/21 809 144 153 36 210 338 

g/22-9/28 3,748 278 253 143 300 284 

g/29-10/5 2,807 353 329 177 400 374 

10/6-lo/12 1,560 412 722 227 722 462 

10/13-10/19 2,330 845 1,642 440 1,642 223 

10/20-lo/26 1,902 384 480 95 379 403 

10/27-11/3 1,416 414 562 126 298 521 

*Miscellaneous includes surgeon's caps, socks, underclothing, 

plastic bags, and masking tape. 

Radiation detection instruments were serviced and made 

available through Building 2 at the Control Point. The instruments were checked and calibrated. Expendable parts, such as 

batteries, were replaced before release for field use. 

Monitoring 

The monitors of the Radiological Safety Division carried out 

daily assignments to protect personnel from unnecessary exposure 

to ionizing radiation. These activities included (49): 

67 
Performing initial surveys and resurveys of areas 

around ground zero after a detonation 

Establishing and operating main and area access 

checkpoints 

Marking and establishing the radiation exclusion 

areas 

Serving as party monitors for personnel who were 

required to enter radiation exclusion areas. 

Forty-eight hours before a detonation, personnel access to 

the shot area was controlled and mustering procedures commenced. 

Security force personnel established check stations on roads 

leading into the area. Personnel entering the area to conduct 

preshot activities were issued security muster badges at the 

check stations. About two hours before each detonation, 

personnel were cleared from the area. Exceptions were the arming 

party and a few participants given permission to man project 

stations. Radiological safety monitors stood by at the main 

access road check station awaiting release to begin the initial 

survey. 

Before each detonation, the Weapons Test Branch Leader 

briefed the radiological safety personnel who were to conduct the 

initial ground survey on the expected fallout pattern. Four 

teams of two men each usually conducted the surveys. They 

drove into the shot areas as early as possible after each detonation. The teams used vehicle odometers to determine how far 

intensities of 0.01, 0.1, and 1 roentgen per hour (R/h) were from 

previously established reference stakes. The information was 

transmitted by radio to the Plotting and Briefing Station in 

Building 2 at the Control Point, where the isointensity lines 

were plotted and drawn onto plastic overlay maps. These maps 

were then made available to project personnel planning to 

retrieve project equipment and data from radiation areas. Maps 

were also prepared at Control Point Building 1 for the Test 

Manager's staff, who made decisions on reentry times. Survey 

68 
teams posted the test areas with radiation warning signs, and all 

traffic was routed to pass by the check stations. The survey 

teams also monitored radiation intensities up to 10 R/h in 

specified areas if the radiation information was requested by the 

Deputy Test Manager or project recovery parties. Radiological 

safety monitors could survey areas with intensities greater than 

10 R/h only with the approval of the Deputy Test Manager (49). 

When time between detonations permitted, survey teams 

resurveyed shot areas six hours and one, two, and three days 

after the shots. Warning signs and barricades were moved after 

each resurvey to indicate the current radiological situation. 

Survey teams conducted 144 radiological surveys during HARDTACK 

II (28). 

After each detonation, radiological safety personnel established check stations outside the 0.01 R/h radiation area on 

access roads leading into the shot area. These check stations 

were trailers equipped with radios, radiation detection instruments, and other safety equipment. Barricades were placed on 

frequently used back roads with signs directing personnel to 

enter and exit through the check stations. No individual was 

permitted beyond these stations without a proper access permit 

stating the purpose of entry and the precise location of planned 

activities. Roving monitors also checked access permits of personnel in the radiation areas to ensure that they were authorized 

to be there and had not entered the area through a road other 

than at the check stations (28; 49). 

All groups entering areas with radiation intensities greater 

than 0.1 R/h were accompanied by a radiological safety monitor. 

Pro.ject teams were generally required to provide their own 

certified monitors; however, if project monitors were not 

available, the Radiological Safety Division supplied them. These 

monitors were stationed at Ruilding 2 at the Control Point or at 

69 
check stations. The monitors advised the project teams on 

measures to take to minimize exposure and avoid spread of 

contamination to uncontrolled areas (28; 49). 

Plotting and Briefing 

Personnel in the Plotting and Briefing Section performed the 

following functions (28; 49): 

• Advised the Deputy Test Manager of the radiological 

aspects of test recoveries within radiation areas 

0 Planned with the Monitoring Section the survey 

requirements for each shot, based on recovery 

requirements 

0 Planned with the Monitoring Section the location of 

all checkpoints and signs 

0 Indicated to the Monitoring Section the position and 

extent of required stake lines 

0 Prepared permanent records of all survey data and 

developed isointensity situation maps showing the 

locations of the 10, 1, 0.1, and 0.01 R/h lines 

• Furnished the Dosimetry and Records Section with 

personnel names to facilitate assignment of film 

badges and equipment 

0 Issued access permits 

• Briefed recovery personnel on current radiological 

situations. 

Isointensity contour maps were developed from the survey 

data that the radiological survey monitors radioed to plotting 

and briefing personnel. As an aid to both plotters and monitors, 

a numbering system was used that identified each location by a 

three-digit number. The first digit indicated the stake line. 

For example, stake line 1 was approximately 45 degrees from 

north, and stake line 2 was approximately 90 degrees from north. 

Stake lines extended from ground zero but not necessarily in 

straight lines, since they often followed available roads. The 

last two digits indicated the distance along the stake line from 

70 
ground zero to the survey location, in loo-yard (go-meter) 

intervals. For example, stake marker 213 indicated a location 

1,300 yards from ground zero along line 2 (49). 

Personnel at the radiological exclusion area information 

center advised all monitors and party leaders of the radiological 

environments they might encounter. When they issued access permits, each person's exposure record was consulted to determine 

that the cumulative exposure was within permissible limits. 

Necessary clothing and equipment were then issued. Records indicate that 2,393 access permits were issued at HARDTACK II (49). 

Decontamination 

Personnel of the Radiological Safety Division decontaminated 

personnel, equipment, and vehicles leaving the radiation areas 

and cleared radioactive samples removed from the test areas. 

All personnel, vehicles, and equipment leaving the test area 

were monitored for contamination at designated checkpoints. 

Decontamination was required if radioactivity exceeded the 

following limits (28): 

• Personnel: 0.007 R/h (beta and gamma) on personal 

clothing 

0.007 R/h (gamma) on shoes 

0.001 R/h (gamma) on surface of skin or 

underclothing 

0 Vehicles 

Equipment: 

and 

0.007 

0.007 

R/h (gamma) outer surfaces 

R/h (beta and gamma) inner surfaces. 

Monitoring was also performed for alpha-emitting contamination on 

personnel, vehicles, and equipment, and decontamination was 

conducted as required. 

Decontamination facilities were maintained at Building 2 of 

the Control Point for personnel and at Building 6 for equipment 

and vehicles. Personnel arriving at the Building 2 decontamination station were cleaned of surface contamination by vacuuming 

71 
the dust and dirt from their garments. Personnel then removed 

anticontamination clothing and respiratory equipment and turned 

in film badges and pocket dosimeters. Each individual was then 

checked for radioactive contamination. If readings above the 

limits were found, the person was required to remove remaining 

clothing and, if necessary, take a shower. After showering, the 

individual was checked again, and if radiation readings were less 

than 0.001 R/h on the surface of the skin, the individual was 

released. If personal clothing was retained for decay or 

laundering, government-issue clothing was provided on a temporary 

basis (49). 

Vehicles were parked in designated areas adjacent to the 

Building 6 decontamination station. Each vehicle had been 

monitored at the checkpoint, and decontamination was required if 

radiation readings above the limits were found. Contaminated 

vehicles were cleaned initially with a vacuum cleaner. All 

surfaces, including running boards, floorboards, and undersurfaces of fenders, were vacuumed. The vehicles were then 

resurveyed and, if still contaminated, rinsed with water, or 

sprayed and washed with a liquid detergent. When radiation 

intensities were reduced to less than 0.007 R/h, the contaminated 

material stickers were removed from the windshields and the 

vehicles were returned to service. Radiological safety personnel 

decontaminated 546 vehicles at HARDTACK II (28). 

Contaminated material leaving the NTS by road was labeled 

and loaded onto vehicles according to Interstate Commerce 

Commission regulations for the transportation of radioactive 

materials. Radiological safety personnel monitored the packaged 

materials before their release from the NTS. These personnel 

completed forms and applied stickers to certify that the packaged 

material complied with regulations. Security officers did not 

permit materials to leave the NTS without proper forms and 

stickers (28). 

72 
3.1.3 Offsite Operations 

Appropriate areas outside 

to a 320-kilometer radius from 

Director delegated operational 

an offsite radiological safety 

the test 

the Cont

control 

officer 

site were monitored out 

rol Point. The Support 

of the offsite program 

(47). USPHS personnel 

to 

provided operational support services. REECo provided film 

badges and radiation detection equipment. 

The offsite radiological safety program was organized to (47): 

0 Assess the offsite radiological situation associated 

with each detonation 

• Accumulate data regarding fallout patterns 

0 Conduct environmental monitoring of air, water, and 

milk 

• Produce reports, maps, and records that describe 

findings of this monitoring and data collection 

• Establish and maintain public relations. 

USPHS personnel conducted offsite monitoring. In addition 

to monitoring, they were responsible for the placement and 

collection of film badges, for sample collection, and for public 

relations. 

Three teams consisting of two men each were available at 

Camp Mercury as mobile monitors to survey the radiological 

situation immediately adjacent to the NTS and to furnish support 

to zones according to predicted fallout patterns. As occasions 

warranted prior to detonations, these mobile teams were deployed 

to selected locations to monitor any radioactivity resulting from 

fallout (47). 

73 
3.2 RADIATION PROTECTION FOR THE AIR FORCE SPECIAL WEAPONS 

CENTER 

During Operation HARDTACK II, AFSWC conducted all aerial 

support missions, including cloud sampling, cloud tracking, and 

aerial surveys of onsite and offsite areas. AFSWC personnel 

followed the same radiation exposure limits established for NTSO 

personnel, except for sampling and ground crews who were 

permitted to receive a maximum of 10 rem during Operation 

HARDTACK II because of the nature of their mission. Sampling 

aircrews at HARDTACK II who were also at HARDTACK I were 

authorized to receive a maximum of 15 rem for the total operation 

(28; 40). 

The NTSO was responsible for providing AFSWC radiological 

safety. The Test Manager delegated responsibility for developing 

these specialized radiological safety procedures to the 4950th 

Test Group, the major operational unit of AFSWC. The 4950th had 

three units that participated in HARDTACK II. The 4926th Test 

Squadron (Sampling), with personnel support from the 4935th Air 

Base Squadron, was responsible for all radiological safety activities at Indian Springs AFB. The 4900th Air Base Group established a similar radiation safety program at Kirtland AFB (28). 

Orientation and Training 

Prior to a cloud-sampling mission, pilots were briefed about 

flight patterns, the expected height of the radioactive cloud, 

penetration times into the radioactive cloud, and the location of 

other aircraft in the area. Cloud-tracking aircraft were ordered 

to stay clear of the cloud but to track it visually until the 

cloud samplers had completed their mission. 

AFSWC radiological safety monitors were trained in 

compliance with Air Force technical orders and regulations. 

Personnel trained in an approved course at the NTS were considered qualified, subject to approval by the Nuclear Research 

74 
Officer of the 4950th Test Group. All other individuals were 

trained in the Radiological Safety Monitors Course presented by 

the Nuclear Application section of the 4926th Test Squadron. 

REECo trained the Indian Springs AFB support personnel (40; 49). 

Dosimetry and Protective Equipment 

AFSWC participants at Indian Springs AFB and Kirtland AFB 

were required to wear film badges while on cloud-sampling and 

cloud-tracking missions. In addition, each aircraft had a radiation survey meter on board. The personnel responsible for base 

operations at Indian Springs and Kirtland AFBs were not 

ordinarily issued film badges (40). 

The 4926th Test Squadron provided AFSWC with film badges 

that had been furnished by REECo. At Indian Springs AFB, the 

4926th distributed badges to all personnel whose duties could 

lead to radiation exposure. At Kirtland AFB, however, the 4926th 

provided the film badges to the 4900th Air Base Group, who then 

assumed responsibility for distributing the badges to appropriate 

personnel. REECo processed all film badges worn by AFSWC 

personnel and maintained exposure records. 

Cloud-sampling aircraft were generally manned by a pilot and 

a radiological safety monitor, who both wore regulation flight 

suits and were on full oxygen before, during, and after cloud 

penetration. The pilot and co-pilot of the helicopters that 

conducted aerial surveys also wore regulation flight suits. 

Three other individuals usually participated in these helicopter 

surveys: another AFSWC crewman and two monitors provided by 

REECo. These individuals wore the regular anticontamination 

clothing. All persons in the survey helicopters wore 

respirators (33; 40). 

75 
Decontamination 

Aircraft returning from cloud-sampling or cloud-tracking 

missions were parked in designated decontamination areas at 

Indian Springs AFB and Kirtland AFB, respectively. At the 

personnel decontamination stations, all pilots were monitored and 

were required to go through the complete decontamination 

procedures. This involved removing flight suits and undergarments, showering, and receiving fresh clothes. Showering was 

continued until radioactivity on the surface of the skin was less 

than 0.001 R/h (40). 

Personnel from the 4935th Air Base Squadron decontaminated 

sampling aircraft. They used firehoses to spray and wash the 

aircraft with water. They then opened the canopy and wiped clean 

the cockpit and the inside of the canopy. 

Radiological Safety Division personnel at the NTS monitored 

and decontaminated helicopters that landed at a pad east of the 

Control Point. At the completion of a mission, the crew turned 

in their film badges and respirators and, if required, were 

decontaminated at the personnel facilities at the Control Point 

building (40). 

76 
CHAPTER 4 

DOSIMETRY FOR DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE 

PERSONNEL AT OPERATION HARDTACK II 

This chapter summarizes the data available as of December 

1982 regarding the radiation doses received by Department of 

Defense personnel during their participation in various military 

and scientific activities at Operation HARDTACK II. It is based 

on research that identified the participants, their unit or 

organizational assignment, and their doses. 

4.1 PARTICIPATION DATA 

The identity of participants was determined from several 

sources: 

• "NTS Personnel Gamma Radiation Exposures Summary" 

identifies personnel issued film badges during this 

period. 

• Weapons test reports for AFSWP and other scientific 

projects often identified personnel, units, and 

organizations that participated in the operation. 

0 After-action reports, security rosters, and vehicleloading rosters identified some participants. 

0 Morning reports, unit diaries, and muster rolls 

identified personnel assigned to participating 

units, absent from their home unit, or in transit 

for the purpose of participating in a nuclear 

weapons test. 

0 Discharge records, maintained by all services, aided 

in identification. 

Personnel and medical records identified some 

participants. 

0 

The final report of the 4950th Test Group lists the 

names and ranks of cloud-sampling personnel and the 

doses they received at HARDTACK I and II (37). 

0 

77 
0 A widely publicized national call-in campaign 

sponsored by the Department of Defense has 

identified some participants. 

4.2 SOURCES OF DOSIMETRY DATA 

The dosimetry data for Operation HARDTACK II were derived 

from film badge records. As stated in chapter 3, the 

Radiological Safety Division, operated by REECo, maintained the 

dosimetry records. 

During Operation HARDTACK II, the film badge was the primary 

device used to measure the radiation exposures of individual 

participants. The film badge, normally worn at chest level on 

the outside of clothing, was designed to measure the wearer's 

exposure to gamma radiation from external sources. The film 

badge did not, however, measure the amount of radioactive 

material, if any, that may have been inhaled or ingested. 

Special film badges that recorded information for fast neutron 

dose evaluation were issued to those personnel who anticipated 

neutron exposures. 

Personnel from the Radiological Safety Division issued, 

received, developed, and interpreted film badges during Operation 

HARDTACK II. Personnel at the NTS were given an identification 

plate and a color-coded film badge. The colors were changed each 

month to permit quick and easy determination of valid film 

badges. Personnel exchanged the badges monthly or upon return 

from a mission into a radiation area. The Radiological Safety 

Division recorded individual exposures on a dosimetry card for 

each participant. The division used these cards to tabulate 

cumulative exposures and to prepare the various dosimetry and 

summary reports (28; 49). 

At the conclusion of HARDTACK II, the services were to send 

individual dose records to each participant's home station for 

78 
inclusion in his medical records. When the individual left the 

service, his records were retired to a Federal records repository (31). 

The film badge data summarized in this chapter were obtained 

from the following sources: 

Historical files of the Reynolds Electrical and 

Engineering Company, the prime support contractor to 

the Department of Energy (and previously to the AEC 

Nevada Operations Office). REECo assumed responsibility for onsite radiological safety after 

Operation TEAPOT in July 1955 and subsequently 

collected available dosimetry records for nuclear 

test participants at all nuclear testing operations 

from 1945 to the present. REECo has on microfilm 

the available exposure records for individuals 

working under the Nevada Test Site Organization at 

Operation HARDTACK II. 

Military medical records, maintained at the National 

Personnel Records Center, St. Louis, Missouri, for 

troops separated from military service, or at the 

Veterans Administration, for individuals who have 

filed for disability compensation or health 

benefits. Unfortunately, many records were 

destroyed in a fire at the St. Louis repository in 

July 1973. That fire destroyed 13 to 17 million 

Army records for personnel discharged through 31 

December 1959 and for members of the Army Air 

Corps/Air Force discharged through 31 December 1963. 

The Onsite Radiological Safety Support Report, 

HARDTACK, Phase II, which provides some aggregate 

information on the number of participants who 

received gamma exposures (49). 

Report of the Test Manager for HARDTACK, Phase II, 

which provides some aggregate exposure information 

for NTSO personnel (28). 

Final Report of the 4950th Test Group, which lists 

the names, ranks, and exposures of AFSWC personnel 

involved with cloud-sampling activities at 

HARDTACK, Phases I and II (40). 

79 
4.3 DOSIMETRY DATA FOR OPERATION HARDTACK II PARTICIPANTS 

This section presents data on the gamma exposures received 

by DOD participants at Operation HARDTACK II. Tables 4-l through 

4-5 present the gamma exposure data available from film badge 

records for the DOD participants. The tables indicate the 

following information by service, unit, or organization: 

0 The number of personnel identified bs name 

• The number of personnel identified by both name and 

film badge 

• The average gamma exposure in roentgens 

a The distribution of these exposures. 

Table 4-l summarizes all exposures for each service 

affiliation. Tables 4-2 through 4-5 provide information about 

the gamma exposures received by the various participants in each 

of the represented services (30). 

The Test Manager's Report indicates that exposure records 

were maintained for 7,652 individuals who entered the Nevada Test 

Site. This number includes DOD military and civilian participants as well as non-DOD personnel, such as AEC personnel, 

scientists, securitv personnel, and other civilians (28). 

Most of the participants in HARDTACK II were sub,ject to a 

3 rem limit on gamma exposures. Of those participants subject to 

the 3 rem limit, nine exceeded it. Of these nine personnel, four 

received gamma exposures between 3 and 5 rem; three received 

exposures between 5 and 10 rem; and two participants received 

exposures exceeding 10 rem. Most of these overexposed personnel 

participated in projects that required them to enter test areas 

to retrieve animals, instruments, and experimental data (29; 30; 

49; 64). 

80 
Selected personnel from the 4950th Test Group and the 4926th 

Test Squadron were authorized to receive 15 rem per calendar 

year. Seven of these individuals are included in the 3.0 to 5.0 

and 5.0+ columns of Table 4-4, but although thev had gamma 

exposures over 3 rem, they did not exceed their exposure limit of 

15 rem (28; 30; 40). 

81 
Table 4-l: DISTRIBUTION OF GAMMA RADIATION EXPOSURES FOR 

OPERATION HARDTACK II PARTICIPANTS BY 

AFFILIATION 

Personnel Average Gamma Exposure Irem) Personnel Identified Gamma 

Identified by Name and Exposure -

Units by Name by Film Badge (rem) <O.l 0.1-l .o 1.0-3.0 3.0-5.0 5.0+ 

Army 78 70 0.763 36 26 1 2 1 

Navy 14 12 0.181 9 2 1 0 0 

Air Force 319 210 0.509 107 69 27 5 2 

Scientific Personnel, Contractors, Observers 0.139 776 159 21 2 4 

Total 1,264 0.281 930 268 60 9 7 

62 
Table 4-2: DISTRIBUTION OF GAMMA RADIATION EXPOSURES 

ARMY PERSONNEL AND AFFILIATES, OPERATION 

HARDTACK II 

FOR 

Units 

Personnel 

Identified 

by Name 

Personnel 

Identified 

by Name and 

by Film Badge 

Average 

Gamma 

Exposure 

Irem) <o. 1 

Gamma Exposure (rem1 

0.1-1.0 1 .o-3.0 3.0-5.0 5.0+ 

Army Chemical Center (Experimental Group) 1 0 

Atomic Energy Commission 1 0 

Ballistic Research Laboratories 4 4 0.146 3 1 0 0 0 

Chemical Warfare Laboratories 3 3 0.155 1 2 0 0 0 

Department of the Army General Staff 1 0 

Engineer Research and Development 

Laboratories 12 12 0.225 4 8 0 0 0 

Joint Task Force 7.2 1 0 

Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory Isic)’ 32 32 0.311 25 4 1 2 0 

Test Command Unit (sic) 1 0 

US Army Artillery Board 1 0 

US Army Element, Field Command AFSWP 1 1 0.150 0 1 0 0 0 

US Army Garrison, Sandia Base, NM 1 0 

Walter Reed Army Institute of Research 1 1 10.915 0 0 0 0 1 

White Sands Missile Range 1 0 

53rd Transportation (sic1 1 1 0.315 0 1 0 0 0 

526th Ordnance Company 1 1 0.170 0 1 0 0 0 

Unit Unknown” 15 15 0.218 5 10 0 0 0 

Total 78 70 0.763 36 26 1 2 1 

““Sic” indicates that entry for the unit and/or 

**Unit information unavailable. 

home station could not be verified. 

83 
Table 4-3: DISTRIBUTION OF GAMMA RADIATION EXPOSURES 

NAVY PERSONNEL AND AFFILIATES, OPERATION 

HARDTACK II 

FOR 

Units 

Personnel 

Identified 

by Name 

Personnel 

Identified 

by Name and 

by Film Badge 

Average 

Gamma 

Exposure 

(rem) <O.l 

Gamma Exposure (rem) 

0.1-1.0 1.0-3.0 3.0-5.0 5.0+ 

Armed Forces Special Weapons Project 4 4 0.101 2 2 0 0 0 

Civil Effects Test Group 1 1 0.000 1 0 0 0 0 

Directorate Effects Test Group 3 3 0.583 2 0 1 0 0 

Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory 1 0 

Naval Administrative Unit, Sandia Base 1 1 o.OQo 1 0 0 0 0 

San Francisco Naval Shipyard 1 0 

University of California Radiation Laboratory 3 3 0.025 3 0 0 0 0 

Total 14 12 0.181 9 2 1 0 0 

84 
Table 4-4: DISTRIBUTION OF GAMMA RADIATION EXPOSURES FOR 

AIR FORCE PERSONNEL AND AFFILIATES, OPERATION 

HARDTACK II 

Personnel 

Personnel 

Identified 

Average 

Gamma 

Gamma Exposure Irem) 

Identified by Name and Exposure 

Units by Name by Film Badge IremJ <O.l 0.1-1.0 1 .o-3.0 3.0-5.0 5.0+ 

4ir Force Cambridge Research Center 1 1 0.400 0 1 0 0 0 

4ir Force Special Weapons Center 1 1 O.ooO 1 0 0 0 0 

4ir Research and Development Center 1 0 

4rmed Forces Special Weapons Project 1 1 0.000 1 0 0 0 0 

Directorate Effects Test Group 1 1 0.045 1 0 0 0 0 

Jniversity of California Radiation Laboratory 1 1 0.240 0 1 0 0 0 

20th Helicopter Squadron 1 1 0.135 0 1 0 0 0 

Zlst Helicopter Squadron 1 0 

55th Weather Reconnaissance 1 0 

57th Weather Reconnaissance 3 0 

54th Air Rescue Squadron 1 0 

520th Installation Group 1 0 

1009th Special Weapons Squadron 6 4 0.036 3 1 0 0 0 

lOB3rd Special Reporting Squadron 1 1 0.420 0 1 0 0 0 

1090th Special Reporting Wing 3 3 0.016 3 0 0 0 0 

1352nd Air Police Squadron 1 1 0.945 0 1 0 0 0 

4520th Installation Group 1 0 

4900th Air Base Group 2 0 

4925th Test Squadron (Atomic) 4 2 0.832 1 0 1 0 0 

4926th Test Squadron (Sampling) 45 42 0.903 14 17 9 0 2 

4935th Air Base Squadron 55 3 0.006 3 0 0 0 0 

4950th Test Group 137 133 0.483 66 45 17 5 0 

4952nd Support Squadron (Test) 5 0 

6102nd Air Base Wing 1 0 

Unit Unknown* 43 15 0.047 14 1 0 0 0 

Total 319 210 0.509 107 69 27 5 2 

*Unit information unavailable. 

85 
Table 4-5: DISTRIBUTION OF GAMMA RADIATION EXPOSURES FOR 

SCIENTIFIC PERSONNEL, CONTRACTORS, AND 

OBSERVERS, OPERATION HARDTACK II 

Personnel Average Gamma Exposure (rem) Personnel Identified Gamma 

identified by Name and Exposure 

Organizations by Name by Film Badge (rem) <O.l 0.1-1.0 1 .o-3.0 3.0-5.0 5.0+ 

Aerojet General Corporation 45 45 0.030 43 2 0 0 0 

Associated Press 2 2 0.012 2 0 0 0 0 

Carlsbad Airport, Manager 1 1 0.000 1 0 0 0 0 

Carlsbad Argus, Editor 1 1 0.025 1 0 0 0 0 

CBS News 4 4 0.068 4 0 0 0 0 

Civil Effects Test Organization 1 1 0.000 1 0 0 0 0 

Field Command, AFSWP 664 664 0.180 517 122 19 2 4 

Observers* 105 105 0.011 103 2 0 0 0 

Stanford Research Institute 10 10 0.268 2 6 2 0 0 

Unknown* 129 129 0.068 102 27 0 0 0 

Total 962 962 0.139 776 159 21 2 4 

*Organizational affiliation is not available 

86 
CHAPTER 5 

NUCLEAR WEAPONS TESTS 

The 19 nuclear weapons tests of Operation HARDTACK II were 

conducted from 19 September through 30 October 1958. Ten of the 

events were balloon shots, seven of which were sponsored by LASL 

and three by UCRL. Five tests were tower shots, two of them 

sponsored by LASL, one by UCRL, and two cosponsored by the DOD 

and UCRL. The other four shots, all UCRL events, were fired in 

tunnels. The HARDTACK II weapons tests were conducted in Areas 

3, 5, 7, 9, and 12 of the Nevada Test Site. Figure l-2 shows the 

location for each of these tests. Table 1-l identifies the 

nuclear tests by presenting such information as the UTM 

coordinates of the points of detonation and the heights of burst. 

Along with thermal and radiation phenomena, the nuclear 

weapons tests were designed to improve containment techniques for 

underground detonations and to evaluate nuclear yield and blast. 

To fulfill these objectives, the five test groups, identified in 

chapter 1, conducted scientific and diagnostic experiments at the 

shots. DOD personnel took part in projects conducted by the DOD 

Effects Test Group and the LASL and UCRL Test Groups. DOD 

Effects Test Group pro.jects, which constituted most of the 

projects undertaken at the nuclear weapons events, were primarily 

conducted at the two detonations cosponsored by DOD and UCRL, 

Shots HAMILTON and HUMBOLDT. Table l-3 indicates the DOD 

projects conducted at the nuclear weapons events, as well as at 

the safety experiments. 

The other DOD participants were AFSWC personnel, who 

supported the nuclear weapons tests with cloud-sampling, sample 

87 
courier, cloud-tracking, and aerial survey missions. Cloudsampling and sample courier missions were performed in support of 

a LASL Test Group project and a UCRL Test Group project. 

Cloud-tracking and aerial surveys were conducted in support of 

the Test Manager. In addition, AFSWC maintained operational 

control over all military aircraft flying in support of the 

nuclear weapons tests. Table 1-4 identifies AFSWC support for 

the nuclear weapons events. 

5.1 SHOT EDDY 

Shot EDDY, the first nuclear weapons detonation of Operation 

HARDTACK II, was fired at 0700 hours Pacific Daylight Time (PDT) 

on 19 September 1958, with a yield of 0.083 kiloton. The device 

was suspended from a balloon 500 feet above the ground in Area 7, 

at UTM coordinates 867047. The Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory 

developed the EDDY device (35). 

At shot-time, the temperature was 14 degrees Celsius, and 

the surface winds were calm. Winds were seven knots from the 

southwest at 5,000 feet and 11 knots from the south-southwest at 

10,000 feet.* The top of the cloud reached 11,000 feet and moved 

northeast from the point of detonation (35). 

5.1.1 Department of Defense Participation in Scientific and 

Support Activities 

DOD personnel took part in one DOD Effects Test Group 

project and one LASL Test Group project at Shot EDDY. 

DOD Effects Test Group Projects 

Project 1.7, Airblast Phenomena and Instrumentation of 

Structures, was the one DOD Effects Test Group pro;iect performed 

*Yucca Flat is approximately 4,000 feet above mean sea level. 

Throughout this report, altitudes are measured in feet above 

mean sea level, unless otherwise noted. 

88 
at Shot EDDY. Conducted by the Ballistic Research Laboratories, 

the project documented blast phenomena resulting from a nuclear 

detonation and evaluated new blast instruments. An estimated 

four Ballistic Research Laboratories personnel took part in the 

project. Participants installed blast gauges at seven stations 

approximately 60, 760, 910, 1,070, 1,220, 1,370, and 1,520 meters 

from ground zero. They made final checks of instruments the day 

before the detonation. After the detonation, participants 

reentered the shot area to recover records from the stations and 

to inspect the gauges. They then returned to Camp Mercury to 

analyze the data (45). 

LASL Test Group Projects 

The LASL Test Group conducted several projects at Shot EDDY. 

Only Project 11.2, Aircraft Sampling, involved DOD participation. 

The AFSWC 4926th Test Squadron (Sampling) provided cloud 

sampling, discussed below. 

Air Force Special Weapons Center Activities 

AFSWC personnel conducted cloud-sampling, sample courier, 

and cloud-tracking missions during Shot EDDY. The following 

information indicates the type and number of aircraft and the 

estimated number of DOD aircrew personnel involved in these 

missions (39; 40): 

TYPE OF NUMBER OF ESTIMATED NUMBER 

MISSION AIRCRAFT AIRCRAFT OF PERSONNEL 

1 

Sampling B-57B 4 8 

Sample Courier c-47 1 3 

Cloud Tracking c-47 1 6 

T-33 1 

Sampler Control B-57B 1 

2 

89 
Four B-57B aircraft, each with a pilot and a radiological 

safety monitor, conducted the cloud-sampling mission for Project 

11.2, Aircraft Sampling. A fifth B-57B aircraft, with a pilot 

and a LASL technical advisor, acted as a sampler control 

aircraft, directing the four cloud-sampling aircraft to various 

sections of the EDDY cloud (39; 40). 

The C-47 courier aircraft left Indian Springs AFB at 0855 

hours on shot-day to transport the samples to Kirtland AFB. The 

samples were then taken to LASL for analysis. The AFSWC 4900th 

Air Base Group conducted the courier mission. 

After the detonation, one C-47 aircraft performed a 

cloud-tracking mission to about 320 kilometers from ground zero, 

and one T-33 aircraft conducted a practice cloud-tracking 

mission (39; 40). 

5.1.2 Radiological Safety Activities 

The NTSO and AFSWC developed the radiological safety 

procedures for Operation HARDTACK II. Chapter 3 describes the 

procedures common to all shots in the series. 

Onsite Monitoring 

The initial survey team entered the test area shortly after 

the detonation to survey the shot area. Mid-time of the initial 

survey was 0730. Figure 5-l shows a copy of the isointensity map 

generated from the initial survey (49). Gamma intensities of 

8 R/h were encountered at ground zero. At distances of 200 

meters and 1,600 meters, radiation intensities were 1 R/h and 

0.01 R/h, respectively. Three days after the detonation, the 

gamma intensity was 0.01 R/h about 230 meters from ground zero 

and only 0.08 R/h at ground zero (49). 

90 
N 

. 

. . . 

. . . . . . •

. 

’ \ 

Stake Lines 

1 R/h 

.m.-. 0.1 R/h 

Meters . . . . . . 0.01 R/h 

Figure 5-1: INITIAL SURVEY FOR SHOT EDDY, 19 SEPTEMBER 1959, 

MID-TIME 0730 

91 
Offsite Monitoring 

From one to eight hours after the detonation, USPHS 

personnel monitored offsite areas. They encountered gamma 

intensities above background in areas northwest of ground zero, 

particularly around Groom Mine, Lincoln Mine, and Crystal 

Springs, Nevada. Gamma intensities at these locations ranged 

from 0.001 R/h to 0.004 R/h (47). 

5.2 SHOT MORA 

Shot MORA was detonated at 0605 hours Pacific Standard Time 

(PST) on 29 September 1958. The shot had a yield of two kilotons. Developed by LASL, the device was suspended from a balloon 

1,500 feet above the ground in Area 7, at UTM coordinates 867047, 

the same location as Shot EDDY (35). 

At shot-time, the temperature was 12 degrees Celsius, and 

the winds were light and variable up to 5,000 feet. Winds were 

13 knots from the north-northeast at 10,000 feet and 31 knots 

from the north-northeast at 18,000 feet. The top of the cloud 

reached 18,500 feet and moved south from the point of detonation. 

A dust cloud near the ground moved west from the detonation 

across Mercury Highway (35). 

5.2.1 Department of Defense Participation in Scientific and 

Support Activities 

At Shot MORA, DOD personnel took part in activities 

conducted by the DOD Effects Test Group and the LASL Test Group. 

The following information identifies these projects. 

92 
Project Title Fielding Agency 

DOD Effects Test Group 

1.7 Airblast Phenom

Instrumentation 

Structures 

ena 

of 

and Ballistic Research 

Laboratories 

6.14 Proof Test of Flashranging Equipment 

Army Artillery 

Signal Research 

and Development 

Laboratories 

Board; 

6.15 Electromagnetic 

from Low-yield B

Pul

urs

ses 

ts 

Signal Research 

and Development 

Laboratories 

LASL Test Group 

11.2 Aircraft Sampling LASL; AFSWC 

DOD Effects Test GrOUD Projects 

The DOD Effects Test Group conducted three projects. 

Project 1.7, Airblast Phenomena and Instrumentation of 

Structures, was conducted by the Ballistic Research Laboratories 

to document blast phenomena resulting from a nuclear detonation 

and to evaluate new blast instruments. An estimated four 

Ballistic Research Laboratories personnel took part in the 

project. Participants installed blast gauges at stations 

approximately 50, 60, 10,570, and 11,620 meters from the ground 

zero. Participants made final checks of instruments during the 

day before the detonation. After the detonation, project 

personnel reentered the shot area to recover records from the 

93 
stations and to inspect the gauges. They then returned to Camp 

Mercury to analyze the data (45). 

Project 6.14, Proof Test of Flash-ranging Equipment, was 

conducted by the Army Artillery Board and the Signal Research and 

Development Laboratories. The ob,jective was to evaluate the 

operational capabilities of flash-ranging instrumentation. In 

the days prior to the detonation, project personnel set up flashranging equipment at sites 13, 17, and 29 kilometers from ground 

zero. Personnel probably operated equipment at these sites 

through shot-time. After the detonation, the data were taken to 

a laboratory for analysis (52). 

Project 6.15, Electromagnetic Pulses from Low-yield Bursts, 

was conducted by the Signal Research and Development 

Laboratories. The objective was to detect, record, and analyze 

the electromagnetic pulse radiating from a nuclear detonation. 

An instrumented trailer was located about 160 kilometers 

southeast of the NTS, near Boulder City, Nevada. Pro,ject 

personnel manned the station several hours before the burst to 

prepare the instruments, during the burst to detect and record 

the electromagnetic pulses, and for a few hours afterward to 

analyze data and turn off equipment (29). 

LASL Test Group Pro.jects 

The only LASL Test Group project involving DOD participation 

at Shot MORA was Project 11.2, Aircraft Sampling. The AFSWC 

4926th Test Squadron (Sampling) provided cloud sampling for this 

project. Cloud sampling is discussed below. 

Air Force Special Weapons Center Activities 

AFSWC personnel conducted radio relay, cloud-sampling, 

sample courier, cloud-tracking, and aerial survey missions during 

Shot MORA. The following information indicates the type and 

94 
-- 

number of aircraft and the estimated number of DOD aircrew 

personnel involved in these missions (39; 40). 

TYPE OF NUMBER OF ESTIMATED NUMBER 

MISSION AIRCRAFT AIRCRAFT OF PERSONNEL 

Radio Relay T-33 1 2 

Sampler Control B-57B 1 1 

Sampling B-57B 4 8 

Sample Courier c-47 1 3 

Cloud Tracking c-47 2 12 

Aerial Survey H-21, 2 8 

Four B-57B aircraft, each with a pilot and a radiological 

safety monitor, conducted the cloud-sampling mission for Project 

11.2, Aircraft Sampling. A fifth B-57B aircraft, with a pilot 

and LASL technical advisor, functioned as a sampler control aircraft and directed the sampling aircraft to various sections of 

the MORA cloud. 

The C-47 courier aircraft transported the samples from 

Indian Springs AFB to Kirtland AFB, from where the samples were 

then taken to LASL for analysis. The 4900th Air Base Group 

conducted the courier missions (39; 40). 

The C-47 cloud-tracking aircraft flew a cloud-tracking 

mission out to about 320 kilometers from ground zero (39; 40). 

5.2.2 Radiological Safety Activities 

The radiological safety procedures used at Shot MORA were 

the same as those employed at the other HARDTACK II shots. 

Chapter 3 describes these procedures and indicates the number of 

film badges and protective equipment issued during MORA. 

95 
Onsite Monitoring 

The initial ground survey team entered the test area in 

radio-equipped vehicles as soon as possible after the detonation. 

The mid-time of their survey was 0635 hours (49). Figure 5-2 

shows a copy of the initial isointensity map. The survey team 

detected gamma intensities of about 8 to 10 R/h at ground zero. 

These intensities decreased to 0.1 R/h and 0.01 R/h at distances 

of 1,300 meters and 2,500 meters to the south of ground zero, 

respectively. Five hours after the detonation, radiation levels 

of 0.01 R/h were confined to within 1,450 meters of ground zero, 

and levels of 0.1 R/h were within 1,000 meters. Two days after 

the detonation, gamma intensities of 0.01 R/h and 0.1 R/h were 

confined to 950 and 580 meters from ground zero, respectively 

(49). 

Offsite Monitoring 

Four to five hours after the detonation, USPHS personnel 

conducted monitoring in the offsite areas. They encountered 

radiation levels slightly above background in areas southwest of 

ground zero, specifically around Lathrop Wells and Cactus 

Springs, Nevada (47). 

5.3 SHOT TAMALPAIS 

Shot TAMALPAIS was detonated with a yield of 0.072 kiloton 

at 1400 hours PST on 8 October 1958. The device, developed by 

the University of California Radiation Laboratory, was buried 

407 feet underground in a tunnel in the Rainier Mesa of Area 12, 

at UTM coordinates 709167 (35). 

At shot-time, winds on the Rainier Mesa, an area of 

mountainous terrain, were eight knots from the north at 6,725 

feet at the top of the mesa and 15 knots from the west at 7,465 

feet. A small amount of venting, a release of radioactive debris 

96 
N 

•

•

•

• • • • •

•

•

•

•

• •

•

•

. 

. . 

••-Y 

\ . 

•

‘* 

. 

. 

. 

. . 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. . • . . •

. . . . 

Stake Lines 

1 R/h 

.-.m. 0.1 R/h 

0

l.-_-?r 

Meters . . . . . • 0.01 R/h 

Figure 5-2: INITIAL SURVEY FOR SHOT MORA, 29 SEPTEMBER 1959, 

MID-TIME 0535 

97 
and gas, occurred through the tunnel portal. The vented debris 

traveled toward the southeast (35). 

5.3.1 Department of Defense Participation in Scientific and 

Support Activities 

DOD personnel took part in one experiment conducted by the 

DOD Effects Test Group. In addition, they took part in two other 

projects, probably conducted by Headquarters, AFSWP. No DOD 

participation has been documented in the several UCRL Test Group 

projects conducted at Shot TAMALPAIS. 

DOD Effects Test Group Projects 

The one DOD Effects Test Group project involving DOD 

participation was Project 6.15, Electromagnetic Pulses from Lowyield Bursts. The Signal Research and Development Laboratories 

conducted the project to detect, record, and analyze the electromagnetic pulse radiating from nuclear detonations. Personnel 

manned a project station near Boulder City, Nevada, several hours 

before the burst to prepare instruments, during the burst to 

detect and record the electromagnetic pulses, and for a few hours 

afterward to analyze data and turn off equipment (29). 

Other Projects 

The other two projects involving DOD personnel and probably 

conducted by Headquarters, AFSWP, were Projects 26.3 and 26.7. 

Project 26.3, Earth Motion Measurements, was conducted by 

the Engineer Research and Development Laboratories to measure 

strong ground motion in the medium surrounding ground zero. To 

obtain data, personnel installed two accelerometers and two 

strain gauges at each of six stations located in the shot area. 

In addition to installing Project 26.3 instruments, project 

personnel provided instruments for Project 26.7 (4). 

98 
Project 26.7, Structural Response and Permanent Displacement 

Measurements, was conducted by the Engineer Research and Development Laboratories and the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey. The 

objective was to measure structural response to the detonation. 

For permanent displacement measurements, points were selected in 

the tunnel in which Shot TAMALPAIS was detonated. The points 

were chosen to provide coverage at locations of possible differential movement and to identify permanent effects of the 

detonation. Surface points were selected to give both overall 

area coverage and specific coverage at locations where differential movement appeared probable. Personnel conducted both preand postshot surveys of the permanent displacement points. The 

project was done in conjunction with Project 26.3 (53). 

Air Force Special Weapons Center Activities 

AFSWC did not participate in air support missions at Shot 

TAMALPAIS since radioactivity was expected to be completely 

contained. One airborne L-20 aircraft had, however, been placed 

on standby for a cloud-tracking mission. This mission was not 

required since only small amounts of radiation vented from the 

tunnel portal (39; 40). 

5.3.2 Radiological Safety Activities 

This section presents only the radiological safety information specific to Shot TAMALPAIS. The information common to the 

HARDTACK II shots is given in chapter 3. 

Onsite Monitoring 

Four men conducted the initial radiological survey of the 

tunnel portal and the tunnel. Mid-time for the survey was 1451 

hours. The main portal to the tunnel registered a gamma 

99 
intensity of 50 R/h. The radiation levels were 1 R/h and 

0.1 R/h 15 and 30 meters from the portal, respectively. A 

resurvey conducted 20 hours after the detonation indicated a 

maximum of 0.001 R/h at the tunnel portal. 

The tunnel was reentered on 9 October. Because the tunnel 

had been ventilated overnight, relatively low levels of 

radiation, carbon monoxide, and explosive mixtures were detected. 

The Deputy Test Manager approved removal of the sandbag barrier 

to permit recovery operations to begin in the tunnel. At 

approximately 1650 hours, a mixture of explosive gases behind the 

sandbags ignited. The resulting explosion propelled six REECo 

mining personnel and two radiological safety monitors about 60 

meters toward the portal and against a blast door. All of the 

personnel were contaminated, and three required medical 

attention. Personnel decontamination, medical procedures, and 

bioassay sample analysis were performed. None of the personnel 

was exposed above the permissible limit because of the accident. 

Only low levels of radioactivity were released to the atmosphere 

as a result of the explosion (60). 

Offsite Monitoring 

Survey teams monitored offsite areas for radioactivity. They 

found that radiation levels remained at background levels (47). 

5.4 SHOT QUAY 

Shot QUAY was fired with a yield of 0.079 kiloton at 0630 hours 

PST on 10 October 1958. The device, developed by the Los Alamos 

Scientific Laboratory, was detonated on a lOO-foot tower in Area 7 

of Yucca Flat, at UTM coordinates 867057 (35). 

At shot-time, the temperature was 15 degrees Celsius. Winds 

were seven knots from the northwest at the surface, 16 knots from 

100 
---- --- -- 

-- 

-- 

--- 

the northeast at 5,000 feet, and 13 knots from the northeast at 

10,000 feet. The top of the cloud reached 10,000 feet and moved 

southwest from the point of detonation (35). 

5.4.1 Department of Defense Participation in Scientific and 

Support Activities 

DOD personnel took part in five scientific and diagnostic 

experiments at Shot QUAY. As indicated in the listing below, 

four of these experiments were conducted by the DOD Effects Test 

Group and one by the LASL Test Group: 

Project Title Fielding Agency 

DOD Effects Test Group 

-. --

1.7 Airblast Phenomena and Ballistic Research 

Instrumentation of Laboratories 

Structures 

6.14 Proof Test of Flash- Army Artillery Board; 

ranging Equipment Signal Research 

and Development 

Laboratories 

6.15 Electromagnetic Pulses Signal Research 

from Low-yield Bursts and Development 

Laboratories 

8.8 Thermal Radiation from Air Force Cambridge 

Low-yield Nuclear Bursts Research Center 

-

LASL Test Group 

11.2 Aircraft Sampling LASL; AFSWC 

~~ -

101 
DOD Effects Test Group Projects 

The following paragraphs discuss the DOD Effects Test Group 

projects having DOD participation. 

Project 1.7, Airblast Phenomena and Instrumentation of 

Structures, was conducted by the Ballistic Research Laboratories 

to document blast phenomena resulting from a nuclear detonation 

and to evaluate the ability of new instruments to measure blast 

waves. Project personnel installed blast gauges at two stations, 

one less than one meter and the other 20 meters from ground zero. 

The day before the detonation, personnel entered the area to make 

final checks of the instruments. After the detonation, they 

reentered the shot area to recover records from the stations and 

to inspect the gauges. They then returned to Camp Mercury to 

analyze the data (8; 45). 

Project 6.14, Proof Test of Flash-ranging Equipment, was 

conducted by the Army Artillery Board and the Signal Research and 

Development Laboratories. The objective was to evaluate the 

operational capabilities of flash-ranging instrumentation. 

Project personnel set up flash-ranging equipment 7.5, 17, 

and 29 kilometers from ground zero in the days preceding the 

detonation. It is believed, based on information from similar 

projects, that personnel operated equipment at all three sites 

through shot-time. Immediately after the detonation, participants took data to a laboratory for analysis (8; 52). 

Project personnel also performed photographic missions 

through shot-time. The detonation was photographed by two 

participants at Lookout Peak, three participants opposite the 

Control Point, and four other participants at Mine Mountain 

(8; 52). 

102 
Project 6.15, Electromagnetic Pulses from Low-yield Bursts, 

was conducted by the Signal Research and Development Laboratories 

to detect, record, and analyze the electromagnetic pulse 

radiating from nuclear detonations. As at the other shots, 

project personnel manned the station near Boulder City, Nevada, 

several hours before the burst to prepare instruments, during the 

burst to detect and record the electromagnetic pulse, and for a 

few hours afterward to analyze the data and turn off equipment 

(8; 29). 

Project 8.8, Thermal Radiation from Low-yield Nuclear 

Bursts, was conducted by the Air Force Cambridge Research Center 

to investigate the thermal radiation resulting from low-altitude 

detonations of low-yield nuclear devices. Pro,ject personnel 

instrumented a trailer, 2.8 kilometers southwest of ground zero, 

to measure thermal radiation during the shot. Between two and 12 

project personnel checked equipment in the trailer several hours 

before the shot. Personnel occupied the station during the 

detonation. Immediately after the shock wave passed, they 

removed data records from the site and returned to Camp Mercury 

(8; 48). 

In addition to conducting the four projects, the DOD Effects 

Test Group coordinated participation by a detachment from the 

1352nd Motion Picture Squadron. This detachment filmed the 

assembly of the QUAY device and the detonation. 

LASL Test Group Projects 

The LASL Test Group conducted several projects at Shot QUAY. 

The only project involving DOD participation was Project 11.2, 

Aircraft Sampling. The AFSWC 4926th Test Squadron (Sampling) 

conducted cloud sampling for this project. This activity is 

discussed in the following section. 

103 
Air Force Special Weapons Center Activities 

AFSWC personnel conducted cloud-sampling, sample courier, 

cloud-tracking, and aerial survey missions during Shot QUAY. The 

following listing indicates the type and number of aircraft and 

the estimated number of DOD aircrew personnel involved in these 

missions (39; 40): 

TYPE OF NUMBER OF ESTIMATED NUMBER 

MISSION AIRCRAFT AIRCRAFT OF PERSONNEL 

Sampler Control B-57B 1 1 

Sampling B-57B 4 8 

Sample Courier c-47 1 3 

Cloud Tracking c-47 1 6 

Aerial Survey H-21 2 8 

Four B-57B aircraft, each with a pilot and a radiological 

safety monitor, conducted the cloud-sampling mission for Project 

11.2, Aircraft Sampling. A fifth B-57B aircraft, with a pilot 

and a LASL technical advisor, served as a sampler control 

aircraft. It directed the four sampling aircraft to various 

sections of the QUAY cloud (39; 40). 

A C-47 aircraft, operated by personnel from the 4900th Air 

Base Group, left Indian Springs AFB to transport samples to 

Kirtland AFB. The samples were then taken to LASL for analysis 

(39; 40). 

The other participating AFSWC aircraft included a C-47 that 

conducted a photography mission during the detonation and a 

cloud-tracking mission out to about 320 kilometers from ground 

zero after the detonation. In addition, two H-21 helicopters 

performed aerial surveys after the shot (39; 40). 

104 
5.4.2 Radiological Safety Activities 

The NTSO and AFSWC radiological safety procedures common to 

all HARDTACK II shots are discussed in chapter 3. These include 

procedures for decontaminating personnel and vehicles. This 

section presents radiological safety information specific to Shot 

QUAY. 

Onsite Monitoring 

The initial survey team, consisting of five men in two 

vehicles, entered the test area shortly after the detonation. 

Mid-time of the initial survey was 0718 hours. Figure 5-3 

presents a copy of the isointensity map generated from this 

survey (49). The survey team found that gamma intensities of 

1 R/h extended about 250 meters north and northeast of ground 

zero and beyond seven kilometers southwest of ground zero. 

Radiation levels of 0.01 R/h, detected about 650 meters north of 

ground zero, continued for a considerable distance to the 

southwest. A survey conducted six hours later showed radiation 

intensities of 1 R/h confined to an area mostly south of ground 

zero, with a "hot" spot of 2.8 R/h detected within the southern 

end of this area. Parameters of the 0.01 R/h line were similar 

to those of the initial survey. Two days after the detonation, 

the 1 R/h area was limited to about 150 meters around ground 

zero, while the narrow 0.01 R/h area extended more than four 

kilometers southwest of ground zero (8; 49). 

Offsite Monitoring 

From two to seven hours after the detonation, USPHS 

personnel monitored offsite areas. They encountered gamma 

intensities above background in areas southwest of the test site, 

particularly around Beatty and Lathrop Wells, Nevada, and 

Shoshone and Death Valley Junction, California. Gamma intensities at these locations ranged from 0.001 R/h to 0.014 R/h (47). 

105 
•• ••

. 

\ 

. • •• •

Stake Lines 

1 R/h 

O, ’ - - 0.1 R/h 

Meters . . . . . . . 0.01 R/h 

Figure 5-3: INITIAL SURVEY FOR SHOT QUAY, 

10 OCTOBER 1858, MID-TIME 0718 

106 
5.5 SHOT LEA 

Shot LEA was detonated at 0520 hours Pacific Standard Time 

on 13 October 1958. The device, which had a yield of 1.4 

kilotons, was suspended from a balloon 1,500 feet above the 

ground in Area 7, at UTM coordinates 867047, the same location as 

Shots EDDY and MORA. LASL developed the LEA device (35). 

At shot-time, the temperature was 13.4 degrees Celsius. 

Winds were light and variable up to 5,000 feet. They were nine 

knots from the south at 10,000 feet and 13 knots from the north 

at 20,000 feet. The top of the cloud reached 17,000 feet and 

moved north from the point of detonation (35). 

5.5.1 Department of Defense Participation in Scientific and 

Support Activities 

DOD personnel took part in four scientific and diagnostic 

experiments, of which three were conducted by the DOD Effects 

Test Group and one by the LASL Test Group. The following listing 

identifies these projects: 

-- ---

Project Title Fielding Agency 

DOD Effects Test Group 

1.7 Airblast Phenomena Ballistic Research 

and Instrumenta- Laboratories 

tion of Structures 

6.14 Proof Test of Flashranging Equipment 

Army Artillery Board; 

Signal Research 

and Development 

Laboratories 

6.15 Electromagnetic

Pulses from 

Low-yield Bursts 

Signal Research 

and Development 

Laboratories 

107 
---- --- 

- -- 

.-- ----

Project Title Fielding Agency 

LASL Test Group 

11.2 Aircraft Sampling LASL; AFSWC 

- -_---

DOD Effects Test Group Projects 

The following paragraphs present the available information 

on the DOD Effects Test Group pro,jects with DOD participation. 

Project 1.7, Airblast Phenomena and Instrumentation of 

Structures, was conducted by the Ballistic Research Laboratories 

to document blast phenomena resulting from a nuclear detonation 

and to evaluate new blast instruments. Project personnel 

installed blast gauges at two stations approximately 60 and 90 

meters from ground zero in the days preceding the detonation. 

During the day before the detonation, personnel entered the area 

to make final checks of instruments. After the detonation, they 

reentered the shot area to recover records from the stations and 

inspect the gauges. They then returned to Camp Mercury to 

analyze the data (10; 45). 

Project 6.14, Proof Test of Flash-ranging Equipment, was 

conducted by the Army Artillery Board and the Signal Research and 

Development Laboratories. The objective was to evaluate the 

operational capabilities of flash-ranging instrumentation. 

Project personnel set up flash-ranging equipment 12.8, 17, 

29, and 97 kilometers from ground zero in the days preceding the 

detonation. Personnel probably operated equipment at all four 

sites through shot-time (10; 52). Project participants also 

108 
conducted photographic missions at shot-time from various 

locations onsite and offsite: four project personnel were on 

Lookout Peak, two other participants were at Angels' Peak, and 

three more participants were at Mine Mountain. 

Project 6.15, Electromagnetic Pulses from Low-yield Bursts, 

was conducted by the Signal Research and Development Laboratories. The ob,jective was to detect, record, and analyze the 

electromagnetic pulse radiating from nuclear detonations. 

Project personnel were at the station near Boulder City, Nevada, 

several hours before the burst to prepare instruments, during the 

burst to detect and record the electromagnetic pulse, and for a 

few hours afterward to analyze the data and turn off equipment 

(10; 29). 

LASL Test Group Projects 

The LASL Test Group conducted several projects at Shot LEA. 

Only Project 11.2, Aircraft Sampling, involved DOD participation, 

which was hy the AFSWC 4926th Test Squadron (Sampling). The 

squadron conducted cloud sampling, discussed below. 

Air Force Special Weapons Center Activities 

AFSWC personnel conducted cloud-sampling, sample courier, 

and cloud-tracking missions during Shot LEA. The following 

listing indicates the type and number of aircraft and the 

estimated number of DOD aircrew personnel involved in these 

missions (39; 40): 

TYPE OF NUMBER OF ESTIMATED NUMBER 

MISSION AIRCRAFT AIRCRAFT OF PERSONNEL 

Sampler Control B-57B 1 1 

Sampling B-57B 4 R 

Sample Courier c-47 1 3 

Cloud Tracking c-47 1 6 

T-33 1 2 

109 
Four B-57B aircraft, each with a pilot and a radiological 

safety monitor, conducted the cloud-sampling mission for Project 

11.2, Aircraft Sampling. One B-57B sampler aircraft had engine 

trouble and was replaced by another B-57B. A fifth B-57B aircraft, with a pilot and a LASL technical advisor, acted as a 

sampler control aircraft, directing the sampling aircraft to 

various sections of the LEA cloud (39; 40). 

A C-47 aircraft, with a crew from the 4900th Air Base Group, 

transported sample filter papers from Indian Springs AFB to 

Kirtland AFB. The samples were then taken to LASL for analysis 

(39; 40). 

A C-47 and a T-33 aircraft conducted a cloud-tracking 

mission out to about 320 kilometers from ground zero. Three H-21 

aerial survey helicopters were also scheduled for participation 

at LEA, but their mission was canceled two days before the 

detonation. However, one H-21 helicopter flew a support mission 

two days before the detonation. Another H-21 was scheduled to 

perform a mission the day after the shot (39; 40). 

5.5.2 Radiological Safety Activities 

This section presents radiological safety information 

specific to Shot LEA. Information on radiological protection 

procedures common to all HARDTACK II shots is given in chapter 3. 

Onsite Monitoring 

The initial survey team, consisting of 11 men in nine 

vehicles, entered the test area shortly after the detonation. 

Mid-time of the initial survey was 0552. Figure 5-4 shows a copy 

of the isointensity map generated from this survey (49). As 

found during the survey, gamma intensities of 1 R/h were confined 

to within about 600 meters of ground zero. At distances of 1,000 

meters to the north and 1,800 meters to the southwest, radiation 

110 
N 

. 

. 

. . 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

Stake Lines 

1 R/h 

loo0 .- .m. 0.1 R/h 

Meters . . . . . . 0.01 R/h

Figure 5-4: INITIAL SURVEY FOR SHOT LEA, 

13 OCTOBER 1958, MID-TIME 0552 

111 

0 
levels decreased to 0.1 R/h. Radiation readings of 0.01 R/h were 

found about 1,500 to 1,800 meters from ground zero in all 

directions except southwest, where the 0.01 R/h line extended 

more than three kilometers. A resurvey conducted six hours after 

the detonation indicated that the 0.1 R/h and 0.01 R/h radiation 

lines had contracted to within 1,000 meters and 1,500 meters of 

ground zero, respectively. Radiation intensities of 1 R/h were 

still within about 600 meters of ground zero. After two days, 

radiation levels of 1 R/h were not encountered, and the 0.1 R/h 

and 0.01 R/h lines were limited to within 400 meters and 1,000 

meters of ground zero, respectively (10; 49). 

Offsite Monitoring 

From seven to 32 hours after the detonation, USPHS personnel 

monitored offsite areas. They encountered gamma intensities 

above background in areas north of the NTS, particularly around 

Standard, Reed, and Cliff Springs, Nevada. Gamma intensities at 

these locations ranged from 0.001 R/h to 0.003 R/h (47). 

5.6 SHOT HAMILTON 

Shot HAMILTON was fired at 0800 hours PST on 15 October 

1958. The device, which had a yield of 0.0012 kiloton, was 

detonated on a 50-foot wooden tower in Frenchman Flat, at UTM 

coordinates 952732. UCRL developed the device. The detonation 

was a joint UCRL-DOD weapons development and effects test and 

involved more DOD Effects Test Group projects than any other shot 

of Operation HARDTACK II (35). 

At shot-time, the temperature was 15.7 degrees Celsius. The 

winds were light and variable up to 6,000 feet. The top of the 

cloud reached an altitude of 6,000 feet and moved southwest from 

the point of detonation (35). 

112 
5.6.1 Department of Defense Participation in Scientific and 

Support Activities 

DOD personnel took part in 12 scientific and diagnostic 

experiments, 11 of which were conducted by the DOD Effects Test 

Group and one by the UCRL Test Group. Table 5-l identifies these 

projects. 

Table 5-1: TEST GROUP PROJECTS WITH DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE 

PARTICIPATION, SHOT HAMILTON 

Project Title Fielding Agency 

DOD Effects Test Group 

1.7 Airblast Phenomena and Instrumentation of Structures Ballistic Research Laboratories 

2.12a Neutron Flux from Very-low-yield Bursts Chemical Warfare Laboratories 

2.12b Gamma Dose from Very-low-yield Bursts Army Chemical Warfare Laboratories; Army 

Chemical Corps Training Command 

2.12c Soil Activation by Neutrons from Very-low-yield Bursts Army Chemical Warfare Laboratories; Army 

Chemical Center 

2.12d Thermal Radiation from Very-low-yield Bursts Chemical Warfare Laboratories 

2.13 Gamma Radiation and Induced Activity from AFSWC 

Very-low-yield Bursts 

4.2 Effects of Very-low-yield Bursts on Biological Walter Reed Army Institute of Research 

Specimens (Mice and Swine) 

4.3 Effects of Light from Very-low-yield Nuclear Headquarters, Continental Army Command 

Detonations on Vision (Dazzle) of Combat Personnel 

6.14 Proof Test of Flash-ranging Equipment Army Artillery Board; Signal Research and 

Development Laboratories 

6.15 Electromagnetic Pulses from Low-yield Bursts Signal Research and Development 

Laboratories 

8.8 Thermal Radiation from Low-yield Nuclear Bursts Air Force Cambridge Research Center 

UCRL Effects Test Group 

Radiochemical Sampling UCRL; AFSWC 

113 
DOD Effects Test Group Projects 

This section presents information on the DOD Effects Test 

Group projects involving DOD personnel at Shot HAMILTON. 

Project 1.7, Airblast Phenomena and Instrumentation of 

Structures, was conducted by the Ballistic Research Laboratories 

to document blast phenomena resulting from a nuclear detonation 

and to evaluate blast instruments. An estimated four Ballistic 

Research Laboratories personnel took part in the project. 

Participants installed blast gauges at 29 stations approximately 

ten to 3,050 meters from ground zero. At 2200 hours on the day 

preceding the detonation, personnel entered the area to make 

final checks of instruments. After the detonation, they 

reentered the shot area to recover records from the stations and 

to inspect the gauges. They then returned to Camp Mercury to 

analyze the data (9; 45). To obtain information on blast damage 

effects, personnel placed jeeps, M48 tanks, and M59 armored 

personnel carriers at distances ranging between 20 and 90 meters 

to the northwest and southeast of ground zero. Participants 

entered the area after the detonation to inspect the vehicles and 

photograph the damage (45). 

Project 2.12a, Neutron Flux from Very-low-yield Bursts, was 

conducted by the Chemical Warfare Laboratories to: 

0 Measure neutron flux 

from ground zero 

and dose at various distances 

0 Measure neutron, thermal, 

an altitude of 1,500 feet 

and gamma radiation up to 

0 Provide dose measurements in support of Project 4.2 

0 Determine 

activity 

neutron 

studies 

flux and 

in support 

spectrum for induced 

of Pro,ject 2.12~. 

Project personnel installed threshold detectors and chemical 

dosimeters along two cable lines running southeast and northwest 

of ground zero. The closest detector was about 30 meters and the 

114 
farthest about 870 meters from ground zero. After the detonation, 

personnel in a five-ton truck recovered the detectors and dosimeters by attaching the cable to the truck and pulling it away 

from ground zero. The detectors were then removed from the cable 

and taken for analysis to a mobile laboratory trailer in the 

forward area. Personnel spent approximately 30 minutes retrieving detectors (9; 51). 

In support of Project 4.2, personnel placed additional 

detectors in open foxholes, two-thirds covered foxholes, M-48 

tanks, and armored personnel carriers northwest and southeast of 

ground zero. Project 4.2 personnel recovered the detectors 

shortly after the detonation. These devices were then returned 

to the Chemical Warfare Laboratories for analysis (9; 46; 51). 

Project 2.12b, Gamma Dose from Very-low-yield Bursts, was 

conducted by the Chemical Warfare Laboratories and the Chemical 

Corps Training Command. The objectives were to: 

0 Provide gamma dose measurements in support of 

Project 4.2 

0 Record the initial gamma dose in relation to 

distances from ground zero 

0 Record residual radiation intensities 

• Determine the field gamma decay rate. 

Several days before the shot, pro,ject personnel installed 

film badges and other instruments for measuring gamma dose on 

quick-recovery racks and stakes at distances out to approximately 

730 meters from ground zero. They also placed 96 film badges on 

stakes placed on 12 radial lines out from ground zero at go-meter 

intervals, at distances approximately 90 to 730 meters from 

ground zero. In addition, in support of Project 4.2, personnel 

installed 147 film badges in numerous foxholes and vehicles 

located between five and 70 meters north and south of ground zero 

(9; 44; 46). Air.Force personnel from the 1352nd'Motion Picture 

115 
Squadron photographed the installation of gamma-measuring 

instruments. Project participants then made final checks of 

instruments three hours before the detonation. Participants 

recovered the film dosimeters within 24 hours after the 

detonation. The dosimeters were sent to the Army Signal Research 

and Development Laboratories for development and interpretation. 

To record residual radiation intensities, personnel of the 

Army Chemical Corps Training Command, Fort McClellan, Alabama, 

performed gamma field surveys to delineate the 10 R/h contour 

15 minutes after the detonation and to detect any isolated 10 R/h 

" hot" spots. Immediately after passage of the blast wave, four 

two-man monitoring teams moved into the shot area. Traveling by 

jeep, one team surveyed the general outlying area around ground 

zero, particularly in the direction the cloud moved. The other 

three teams began immediate surveys along the 12 film badge stake 

lines. These teams recorded the location of the 10 R/h point on 

each stake line by dropping markers and then measuring the dose 

rate at each stake outside the 10 R/h line. This procedure was 

repeated on subsequent surveys, with readings taken at each point 

where 10 R/h had been noted previously. The three teams 

conducted the surveys two hours, six hours, one day, two days, 

and three days after the detonation. On the day after the 

detonation, project personnel also surveyed alpha activity along 

the film badge stake lines (9; 44; 46). 

Project 2.12c, Soil Activation by Neutrons from Very-lowyield Bursts, was conducted by the Chemical Warfare Laboratories 

and the Army Chemical Center. The objectives were to: 

• Obtain data on the neutron-induced gamma field 

produced by a very-low-yield nuclear burst detonated 

on a 50-foot wooden tower 

a Determine factors relating the gamma dose rates 

measured over this neutron-induced field with doserate measurements made over small samples of the 

same activated soil. 

116 
Before the detonation, project personnel placed 12 soil 

samples in steel pipe containers and connected them to the cable 

used in Project 2.12a. The cable was placed so that one end was 

about 20 meters from ground zero and the other end extended 

160 meters northwest of ground zero. A detachment from the 

1352nd Motion Picture Squadron photographed preshot preparation. 

Within five minutes after the detonation, a Pro,ject 2.12a 

recovery team proceeded in a truck to the end of the cable 

farthest from ground zero. They then dragged the cable to a more 

distant area and disconnected the soil samples attached to the 

cable. Project personnel then monitored most of the samples with 

survey meters to determine neutron and gamma soil activation. 

Eight minutes after the detonation, participants took a 

survey meter and recorder to the 10 R/h line about 50 meters 

north-northwest of ground zero. Eleven minutes after the 

detonation, participants transported another recording gamma 

survey meter, mounted on two trucks, to a station some 60 meters 

from ground zero. Project personnel had planned to make a gamma 

dose rate survey by helicopter at the two survey locations ten 

minutes after the detonation. They did not, however, conduct the 

helicopter surveys. Ground survey parties entered the shot area 

shortly after the detonation and surveyed the area at various 

times for several days after the detonation (9; 61). 

Project 2.12d, Thermal Radiation from Very-low-yield Bursts, 

was conducted by the Chemical Warfare Laboratories to determine 

the thermal radiant exposure value for a very-low-yield nuclear 

device and to compare this value with theoretical results 

obtained from existing scaling laws. Several days before the 

detonation, project personnel installed instruments to measure 

thermal exposure at eight ground stations 50 to 210 meters 

northwest of ground zero. A short time after the detonation, 

project personnel recovered the data (9; 43). 

117 
Project 2.13, Gamma Radiation and Induced Activity from 

Very-low-yield Bursts, was conducted by AFSWC to measure: 

0 Initial gamma dose rate 

0 Total initial gamma dose 

• Total neutron dose in low dose regions 

0 The rate of induced activity decay in the soil. 

A secondary objective was to field-test a new model of the 

standard Air Force fallout detector. 

Project personnel installed gamma and neutron detectors and 

measuring devices along two lines oriented at approximately right 

angles from one another. One line, used also for Pro;jects 2.12a 

and 2.12c, was oriented northwest of ground zero. In the days 

prior to the nuclear test, personnel installed film badges inside 

3-inch steel pipes and attached these pipes to this cable. The 

second instrument line was oriented north-northeast of ground 

zero. Personnel installed film badges and other detectors on 

stakes driven into the ground at ranges of 270 to 1,460 meters 

from ground zero. They left the area about two and one-half 

hours before the detonation. A detachment from the 1352nd 

Motion Picture Squadron photographed preshot activities in the 

test area. 

Within five minutes after the detonation, Project 2.12 

personnel returned to the shot area by truck to the instrument 

line oriented northwest of ground zero to drag the cable to a 

recovery area. Once in the recovery area, the pipes were 

disconnected from the cable and the film badges removed and sent 

to the laboratory for processing and interpretation. Project 

personnel recovered all other film badges and associated 

instruments between seven minutes and two and one-half hours 

after the detonation (9; 36; 51). 

118 
Project 4.2, Effects of Very-low-yield Bursts on Biological 

Specimens (Mice and Swine), was conducted by the Walter Reed Army 

Institute of Research. The objective was to evaluate the effects 

of nuclear radiation on the animals in an attempt to define more 

specifically the effects on humans. Five hours before the 

detonation, project personnel placed several dozen mice and about 

500 pigs in foxholes, tanks, aluminum containers, and armored 

personnel carriers located five to 730 meters north, south, and 

west of ground zero. Two minutes after the detonation, two teams 

of project personnel entered the shot area from the north and the 

south to make initial animal observations. Participants recovered 

the animals when the radiation survey indicated that the majority 

of animals in the exposure array were outside the 3 R/h radiation 

intensity line. A camera crew, consisting of three personnel 

from the 1352nd Motion Picture Squadron, photographed the 

recovery of the animals, which were sent to the animal-holding 

facility on the southern rim of Frenchman Flat for analysis. 

Three days after the detonation, 1352nd personnel photographed 

the ground zero area and the instrument array (3; 9; 46). 

Project 4.3, Effects of Light from Very-low-yield Nuclear 

Detonations on Vision (Dazzle) of Combat Personnel, was conducted 

by Headquarters, Continental Army Command. The purpose was to 

evaluate the dazzle effect on front line combat personnel 

stationed at a minimum safe distance from a detonation. This 

information would be used in developing operational guidance for 

tactical commanders. Thirty-six Army and Marine Corps officers 

from various units, schools, and installations were selected for 

this project. However, only 25 participated because 11 officers 

had to return to home bases before the shot. The officers were 

divided into three groups, each stationed approximately 1,740 

meters from ground zero at azimuths of 90, 135, and 180 degrees 

(9; 58). 

119 
Project 6.14, Proof Test of Flash-ranging Equipment, was 

conducted by the Army Artillery Board and the Signal Research and 

Development Laboratories. The objective was to evaluate the 

operational capabilities of flash-ranging instrumentation. 

Before the detonation, project personnel set up flash-ranging 

equipment at three sites seven, 15, and 22 kilometers from the 

HAMILTON ground zero. Although no documentation has been found 

describing the activities of personnel at this project, it is 

believed, based on data from similar projects, that participants 

operated equipment at these sites through shot-time. Immediately 

after the detonation, data were taken to the laboratory for 

analysis (9; 52). 

Project 6.15, Electromagnetic Pulses from Low-yield Bursts, 

was conducted by the Signal Research and Development Laboratories 

to detect, record, and analyze the electromagnetic pulse 

radiating from nuclear detonations. As at the other shots at 

which Project 6.15 was conducted, project personnel began 

operating the station at Boulder City, Nevada, several hours 

before the burst to prepare the instrumentation. They continued 

operating the station during the burst to detect and record the 

electromagnetic pulse and for a few hours afterward to analyze 

the data and turn off equipment (9; 29). 

Project 8.8, Thermal Radiation from Low-yield Nuclear 

Bursts, was conducted by the Air Force Cambridge Research Center 

to investigate the thermal radiation resulting from a low-altitude 

detonation of low nuclear yield. An instrument station about one 

kilometer west of ground zero was used to measure thermal 

radiation from the detonation. Project personnel left the 

station before the shot and returned immediately after the shock 

wave passed to remove data records. During the shot, two project 

personnel operated instruments at a trailer about two kilometers 

west of ground zero (48). b 

120 
Besides conducting the 11 projects, the DOD Effects Test 

Group coordinated participation of three camera crews, each 

consisting of an estimated two personnel from the 1352nd Motion 

Picture Squadron. The camera crews photographed the detonation 

from a ground position and in the air. One crew was at a station 

1.6 kilometers from ground zero. Another was aboard a C-47 

aircraft at a slant range of 6.4 kilometers from ground zero. 

The third crew was in a helicopter at a slant range of 13 

kilometers from ground zero (3; 39; 40). 

UCRL Test Group Projects 

The UCRL Test Group conducted several projects at Shot 

HAMILTON. The only project involving DOD participation was 

Project 21.2, Radiochemical Sampling. The AFSWC 4926th Test 

Squadron (Sampling) conducted cloud sampling for this project, 

discussed below. 

Air Force Special Weapons Center Activities 

AFSWC personnel conducted cloud-sampling, sample courier, 

cloud-tracking, and aerial survey missions during Shot HAMILTON. 

The following listing indicates the type and number of aircraft 

and the estimated number of DOD aircrew personnel involved in 

these missions (39; 40): 

TYPE OF NUMBER OF ESTIMATED NUMBER 

MISSION AIRCRAFT AIRCRAFT OF PERSONNEL 

Sampler Control B-57B 1 1 

Sampling B-57B 4 8 

Sample Courier c-47 1 3 

Cloud Tracking c-47 1 6 

Aerial Survey H-21 2 8 

121 
Four B-57B aircraft, each with a pilot and a radiological 

safety monitor, conducted the cloud-sampling mission for Project 

21.2, Radiochemical Sampling. A fifth B-57B aircraft, with a 

pilot and a UCRL technical advisor, served as a sampler control 

aircraft, directing the cloud-sampling aircraft to various 

sections of the cloud (39; 40). 

A C-47 aircraft, with a crew of three from the 4900th Air 

Base Group, transported the samples from Indian Springs AFB to 

Alameda Naval Air Station. UCRL personnel then transported the 

samples to the laboratory for analysis (39; 40). 

One C-47 aircraft performed both a cloud-tracking mission 

out to about 320 kilometers from ground zero and a photography 

mission. A T-33 aircraft was also scheduled to perform cloud 

tracking but was not needed (39; 40). 

In addition to the other AFSWC aircraft, an L-20 was 

scheduled for a flight during this period (39; 40). 

5.6.2 Radiological Safety Activities 

The NTSO and AFSWC radiological safety procedures common to 

all HARDTACK II shots, such as decontamination procedures, are 

discussed in chapter 3. The following paragraphs present 

information on radiological protection specific to Shot HAMILTON. 

Onsite Monitoring 

The initial survey team, consisting of 16 men in eight 

vehicles, entered the test area shortly after the detonation. 

Mid-time of the initial survey was 0919. Figure 5-5 shows a 

copy of the isointensity map resulting from the initial survey 

(49). The survey team encountered gamma intensities of 1 R/h 

within about 140 meters of ground zero except to the east, where 

they took readings of 1 R/h within 110 meters of ground zero. At 

122 
••

•• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• ••

N 

. 

. 

. . ‘1 ••. /

. . . . \ •

. . . 0 I 63 i 

. . . \ / . ‘t• . . . 

. . 

. . . . . 

1 R/h 

Meters . . . . . . . 0.01R/h 

Figure 5-5: INITIAL SURVEY FOR SHOT HAMILTON, 15 OCTOBER 1959, 

MID-TIME 0919 

123 
300 meters, they detected radiation levels of 0.1 R/h. The team 

took radiation readings of 0.01 R/h within about 450 meters of 

ground zero except to the southwest, where the 0.01 R/h line 

extended to about 800 meters. Six hours later, the radiation 

level near ground zero had decreased to 1 R/h, while readings of 

0.01 R/h were confined to a radius of 240 meters from ground 

zero. Results of subsequent surveys are not available (9; 49). 

Alpha radiation was detected in the test area after the 

detonation. Readings of 20,000 counts per minute were registered 

at ground zero and 1,500 counts per minute at about 850 meters 

southwest of ground zero. 

Offsite Monitoring 

From three to seven hours after the detonation, USPHS 

personnel monitored offsite areas. Gamma intensities ranging 

from background levels to 0.021 R/h were encountered in areas 

southwest of ground zero. Readings of 0.002 R/h were registered 

19 kilometers southwest of ground zero. Higher readings of 

0.021 R/h were found outside Camp Mercury (35; 47). 

5.7 SHOT LOGAN 

Shot LOGAN was detonated at 2200 hours PST on 16 October 

1958 with a yield of five kilotons. The shot was originally 

scheduled for 1600 hours, but because of technical difficulties, 

it was postponed until 2200. The device, developed by UCRL, was 

detonated in a tunnel 932 feet under the surface of Rainier Mesa 

in Area 12, at UTM coordinates 709154 (35). 

At shot-time, the temperature at the Yucca Flat weather 

station was 12.8 degrees Celsius, and the surface winds were from 

the southeast at four knots. The LOGAN detonation was completely 

contained and, therefore, no radiation from this test was 

released into the atmosphere (35). 

124 
5.7.1 Department of Defense Participation in Scientific and 

Support Activities 

At Shot LOGAN, DOD personnel took part in one project 

conducted by the DOD Effects Test Group and one project that was 

probably conducted by Headquarters, AFSWP. The UCRL Test Group 

also conducted several projects, but none of them had DOD 

participation. 

DOD Effects Test Group Projects 

The one DOD Effects Test Group project with DOD participation 

was Project 6.15, Electromagnetic Pulses from Low-yield Bursts. 

Conducted by the Signal Research and Development Laboratories, 

the project was designed to detect, record, and analyze the 

electromagnetic pulse radiating from a nuclear detonation. 

Project personnel were at the station in Boulder City, Nevada, 

several hours before the burst to prepare the instruments, during 

the burst to detect and record the electromagnetic pulse, and for 

a few hours afterward to analyze the data and turn off equipment 

(12; 29). 

Other Project 

The additional project involving DOD personnel and probably 

conducted by Headquarters, AFSWP, was Pro,iect 26.7, Structural 

Response and Permanent Displacement Measurements. This project 

was conducted by the Engineer Research and Development 

Laboratories and the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey. The 

objective was to measure structural response to the detonation. 

For permanent displacement measurements, points were selected in 

the tunnel in which Shot LOGAN was detonated. The points were 

chosen to provide coverage at locations of possible differential 

movement and to identify permanent effects of the detonation. 

Surface points were selected to give both overall area coverage 

and specific coverage at locations where differential movement 

appeared probable. Personnel conducted both pre- and postshot 

surveys of the permanent displacement points (53). 

125 
Air Force Special Weapons Center Activities 

AFSWC personnel did not conduct any of the customary air 

support missions, such as cloud sampling and cloud tracking, 

because all the radiation was contained underground. Only a C-47 

aircraft provided support to the Test Manager by dropping flares 

over the ground zero area before the detonation to provide light 

for night photography (39; 40). 

5.7.2 Radiological Safety Activities 

The following paragraphs present information on radiological 

safety procedures specific to Shot LOGAN. Chapter 3 presents 

radiological safety information common to the HARDTACK II shots. 

Onsite Monitoring 

Ten men, traveling in six vehicles, conducted a radiological 

survey of the area around the portal of the tunnel in which LOGAN 

was detonated. They encountered no radioactivity outside the 

tunnel. Thus, no isointensity maps of this survey were prepared. 

Offsite monitoring capability was available, but surveys were not 

required (12; 49). 

5.8 SHOT DONA ANA 

Shot DONA ANA was detonated at 0620 hours PST on 16 October 

1958 with a yield of 0.037 kiloton. The device, developed by 

LASL, was suspended from a balloon 450 feet above the ground in 

Area 7, at UTM coordinates 867047. The DONA ANA device was 

detonated at the same location as Shots EDDY, MORA, and LEA (35). 

At shot-time, the temperature was 13.7 degrees Celsius, and 

the surface winds were light and variable. Winds were eight 

knots from the north-northeast at 5,000 feet and six knots from 

the southeast at 10,000 feet. The cloud reached a height of 

126 
11,000 feet. Low-level fallout was detected to the southwest of 

the point of detonation (35). 

5.8.1 Department of Defense Participation in Scientific and 

Support Activities 

DOD personnel took part in three scientific and diagnostic 

experiments conducted by the DOD Effects Test Group and the LASL 

Test Group at Shot DONA ANA. 

DOD Effects Test Group Projects 

The DOD Effects Test Group conducted two projects. 

Project 6.14, Proof Test of Flash-ranging Equipment, was 

conducted by the Army Artillery Board to evaluate the operational 

capabilities of flash-ranging instrumentation. Before the 

detonation, project personnel set up flash-ranging equipment at 

three sites. Two individuals operated the camera equipment 

station on Lookout Peak, 29 kilometers from ground zero. Three 

more individuals manned a station opposite the Control Point, 

17 kilometers away, and four personnel were on Mine Mountain, 

15 kilometers from ground zero. All personnel were to remain at 

the stations from four hours before the detonation through shottime (13; 52). 

Project 6.15, Electromagnetic Pulses from Low-yield Bursts, 

was conducted by the Signal Research and Development Laboratories. The project was to detect, record, and analyze the electromagnetic pulse radiating from a nuclear detonation. Project 

personnel manned a station at Boulder City, Nevada, several hours 

before the burst to prepare the instruments. They remained at the 

station during the burst to detect and record the electromagnetic 

pulse and for a few hours afterward to analyze the data and turn 

off equipment (13; 29). 

127 
LASL Test Group Projects 

The LASL Test Group conducted several projects at Shot DONA 

ANA. However, only Project 11.2, Aircraft Sampling, involved DOD 

participation. The AFSWC 4926th Test Squadron (Sampling) 

conducted cloud sampling in support of this project. Cloud 

sampling is discussed below. 

Air Force Special Weapons Center Activities 

AFSWC personnel conducted cloud-sampling, sample courier, 

and cloud-tracking missions during Shot DONA ANA. The following 

indicates the type and number of aircraft and the estimated 

number of DOD aircrew personnel involved in these missions 

(39; 40): 

TYPE OF NUMBER OF ESTIMATED NUMBER 

MISSION AIRCRAFT AIRCRAFT OF PERSONNEL 

Sampler Control B-57B 1 1 

Sampling B-57B 3 6 

Sample Courier c-47 1 3 

Cloud Tracking c-47 1 6 

Three B-57B aircraft, each with a pilot and a radiological 

safety monitor, conducted the cloud-sampling mission for Project 

11.2, Aircraft Sampling. A fourth B-57B aircraft, with a pilot 

and a LASL technical advisor, acted as a sampler control aircraft 

directing the three cloud-sampling aircraft to various sections 

of the DONA ANA cloud. Another aircraft mission was canceled 

before takeoff (39; 40). 

A C-47 courier aircraft, with a crew from the 4900th Air 

Base Group, delivered the samples from Indian Springs AFB to 

128 
Kirtland AFB. The samples were then transported to LASL for 

analysis (39; 40). 

One C-47 aircraft performed a cloud-tracking mission out to 

about 320 kilometers from ground zero. A second C-47 and two 

T-33 cloud-tracking aircraft were on standby after the detonation 

but were not needed (39; 40). 

5.8.2 Radiological Safety Activities 

Radiological safety procedures common to all Operation 

HARDTACK II shots are described in chapter 3. The following 

paragraphs present information on radiological safety procedures 

specific to Shot DONA ANA. 

Onsite Monitoring 

The initial survey team, consisting of 11 men in nine 

vehicles, entered the test area shortly after the detonation to 

survey the shot area. Mid-time of the initial survey was 0653. 

Figure 5-6 shows a copy of the isointensity map generated from 

the initial survey (49). The survey team encountered gamma 

intensities of 1 R/h within a radius of about 150 meters from 

ground zero. At distances of 730 meters and 1,050 meters, the 

team found that radiation levels decreased to 0.1 R/h and 

0.01 R/h, respectively. A survey conducted eight hours later 

showed that radiation intensities within 250 meters of ground 

zero decreased to 0.1 R/h. The same survey revealed gamma 

intensities of 0.01 R/h at a distance of 730 meters from ground 

zero. Twenty-four hours after the detonation, the 0.01 R/h line 

was 580 meters from ground zero. The 0.1 R/h line was at 290 

meters, a greater distance from ground zero than on the previous 

day. The probable reason is that radioactive earth had been 

bulldozed away from ground zero to begin preparation for Shot 

SOCORRO, scheduled for six days later (13; 49). 

129 
N 

Radiation intensity 

at ground zero 

was 1.4 R/h. 

Stake Lines 

1 R/h 

.-.-. 0.1 R/h 

Meters . . . . . . 0.01 R/h 

Figure 5-6: INITIAL,SURVEY FOR SHOT DONA ANA, 

16 OCTOBER 1958, MID-TIME 0653 

130 
Offsite Monitoring 

From three to five hours after the detonation, USPHS 

personnel monitored offsite areas. They encountered gamma 

intensities of about 0.0002 R/h in areas southwest of the NTS, 

particularly around Lathrop Wells, Nevada (47). 

5.9 SHOT RIO ARRIBA 

Shot RIO ARRIBA, fired at 0625 hours PST on 18 October 1958, 

had a yield of 0.090 kiloton. Developed by LASL, the device was 

detonated on a 72.5-foot tower in Area 3 of Yucca Flat, at UTM 

coordinates 867996 (35). 

At shot-time, the temperature was 9.3 degrees Celsius, and 

the surface winds were light from the south. Winds were eight 

knots from the south at 5,000 feet and 30 knots from the 

southwest at 10,000 feet. The cloud reached 13,500 feet and 

moved north-northeast from the point of detonation (35). 

5.9.1 Department of Defense Participation in Scientific and 

Support Activities 

DOD personnel took part in four scientific and diagnostic 

experiments conducted at Shot RIO ARRIBA by the DOD Effects Test 

Group and the LASL Test Group, as indicated by the following 

listing: 

131 
Project Title Fielding Agency 

DOD Effects Test Group 

6.14 Proof Test of Flash- Army Artillery Board; 

ranging Equipment Signal Research 

and Development 

Laboratories 

6.15 Electromagnetic Signal Research 

Pulses from and Development 

Low-yield Bursts Laboratories 

8.8 Thermal Radiation Air Force Cambridge 

from Low-yield Research Center 

Nuclear Bursts 

LASL Test Group 

11.2 Aircraft Sampling LASL; AFSWC 

DOD Effects Test Group Projects 

The DOD Effects Test Group conducted three projects at Shot 

RIO ARRIBA. 

Project 6.14, Proof Test of Flash-ranging Equipment, was 

conducted by the Army Artillery Board and the Signal Research and 

Development Laboratories. The objective was to evaluate the 

operational capabilities of flash-ranging instrumentation. In 

the days before the detonation, project personnel set up 

flash-ranging equipment at two sites located 3.6 kilometers from 

ground zero at the BUSTER-JANGLE Y (BJY) and 11 kilometers from 

ground zero near the base of a mountain west of the BJY. During 

the detonation, three project personnel operated instruments at 

the BJY location, and four persons were at the site west of the 

132 
BJY. Immediately after the detonation, participants took records 

to the laboratory for analysis (15; 52). 

Project 6.15, Electromagnetic Pulses from Low-yield Bursts, 

was conducted by the Signal Research and Development Laboratories 

to detect, record, and analyze the electromagnetic pulse 

radiating from a nuclear detonation. Personnel operated the 

station at Boulder City, Nevada, for several hours before the 

burst to prepare instruments, during the burst to detect and 

record the electromagnetic pulse, and for a few hours afterward 

to analyze the data and turn off equipment (15; 29). 

Project 8.8, Thermal Radiation from Low-yield Nuclear 

Bursts, was conducted by the Air Force Cambridge Research Center 

to investigate the thermal radiation resulting from a low-altitude 

detonation of low yield. Two project personnel operated instruments to measure thermal radiation through shot-time in a trailer 

located about three kilometers northwest of ground zero, near the 

BJY. Immediately after the shock wave passed, the participants 

took data records from the site and immediately returned to Camp 

Mercury (15). Concurrently, two project personnel operated 

instruments at Building 400, near the Control Point, about 

12 kilometers south-southwest of ground zero (15; 48). 

LASL Test Group Projects 

Among the several LASL Test Group pro.jects conducted at Shot 

RIO ARRIBA, only Project 11.2, Aircraft Sampling, involved DOD 

participation. The AFSWC 4926th Test Squadron (Sampling) 

conducted cloud sampling, discussed below, in support of this 

pro*ject. 

Air Force Special Weapons Center Activities 

AFSWC personnel conducted cloud-sampling, sample courier, 

and cloud-tracking missions for Shot RIO ARRIBA. The following 

133 
listing indicates the type and number of aircraft and the estimated number of DOD aircrew personnel involved in these missions 

(39; 40): 

TYPE OF NUMBER OF ESTIMATED NUMBER 

MISSION AIRCRAFT AIRCRAFT OF PERSONNEL 

Sampler Control B-57B 1 1 

Sampling B-57B 3 6 

Sample Courier c-47 1 3 

Cloud Tracking B-25 1 6 

L-20 1 2 

Three B-57B aircraft, each with a pilot and a radiological 

safety monitor, conducted the cloud-sampling mission for Pro.ject 

11.2, Aircraft Sampling. A fourth B-57B aircraft, with a pilot 

and a LASL technical advisor, performed as a sampler control aircraft, directing the three sampling aircraft to various sections 

of the cloud (39; 40). A C-47 aircraft, operated by personnel 

from the 4900th Air Base Group, transported the samples from 

Indian Springs AFB to Kirtland AFB, from where the samples were 

then transported to LASL for analysis (36; 37). One B-25 

aircraft and one L-20 aircraft performed cloud-tracking missions 

out to about 320 kilometers from ground zero. A cloud-tracking 

mission by a T-33 aircraft was apparently canceled before 

takeoff. No other information is known concerning cloud-tracking 

activities at this shot (39; 40). 

5.9.2 Radiological Safety Activities 

The following paragraphs present radiological safety 

information specific to Shot RIO ARRIBA. Chapter 3 presents 

information on radiological protection common to the HARDTACK II 

shots. 

134 
Onsite Monitoring 

The initial survey team, consisting of ten men in eight 

vehicles, entered the test area shortly after the detonation to 

survey the shot area. Mid-time of the initial survey was 0710. 

Figure 5-7 shows a copy of the isointensity map generated from 

this survey (49). The radioactivity from the detonation extended 

for a considerable distance to the north. Gamma intensities of 

1 R/h were within about 300 meters of ground zero except to the 

north, where the 1 R/h line extended for more than four 

kilometers. Radiation levels of 0.1 R/h were encountered within 

700 meters of ground zero, and they extended to the north for 

more than six kilometers. In directions other than to the north, 

the 0.01 R/h area was confined to within 2,000 meters of ground 

zero. To the north, the 0.01 R/h area extended about 100 

kilometers offsite. A resurvey conducted six hours later 

indicated that radiation areas had contracted around ground zero 

but still extended for a considerable distance to the north. Two 

days after the detonation, gamma readings of 1 R/h were found 

only within 70 to 150 meters from ground zero. Radiation 

levels of 0.1 R/h extended north about 600 meters and in all 

other directions to within 140 meters. Readings of 0.01 R/h were 

confined to an area within 210 meters of ground zero with a 

narrow extension continuing north for about 2.5 kilometers (35). 

Offsite Monitoring 

From one to nine hours after the detonation, USPHS personnel 

conducted offsite monitoring. They encountered gamma intensities 

above background in areas at the northern boundary of the NTS, 

particularly outside of Gate 385 and around Groom Lake and Oak 

Spring Butte. Gamma intensities outside of Gate 385 ranged from 

0.009 R/h to 0.046 R/h. In the areas of Groom Lake and Oak 

Spring Butte, readings as high as 0.12 R/h were registered, but 

most readings ranged from 0.013 R/h to 0.04 R/h (47). 

135 
••

••

••

••

. 

. 

. . N 

. 

. 

I . 

, 

. I I f?I 

. 

. 

. 

I/ . 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. Ii I

. . 

. . . . . . 

. 

. . 

. . 

. 

. . 

. . 

. . . 

. 

. 

. 

. 

1 R/h 

O, .-. - • 0.1 R/h 

Meters . . . . . . • 0.01 R/h 

Figure 5-7: INITIAL, SURVEY FOR SHOT RIO ARRIBA, 

18 OCTOBER 1958, MID-TIME 0710 

136 
-- 

- -- 

5.10 SHOT SOCORRO 

Shot SOCORRO was detonated at 0530 hours PST on 22 October 

1958 with a yield of six kilotons. The device was suspended from 

a balloon 1,450 feet above the ground in Area 7, at UTM 

coordinates 867047, the same location as Shots EDDY, MORA, LEA, 

and DONA ANA. LASL developed the SOCORRO device (35). 

At shot-time, the temperature was 4.7 degrees Celsius, and 

the winds were light and variable up to 5,000 feet. Winds were 

13 knots from the south at 10,000 feet and 22 knots from the 

southwest at 25,000 feet. The cloud reached a height of 

26,000 feet and moved northeast from the point of detonation (35). 

5.10.1 Department of Defense Participation in Scientific and 

Support Activities 

DOD personnel took part in several scientific and diagnostic 

experiments conducted at Shot SOCORRO by the DOD Effects Test 

Group and the LASL Test Group. The following listing identifies 

these projects: 

Project Title Fielding Agency 

DOD Effects Test Group 

1.7 Airblast Phenomena Ballistic Research 

and Instrumentation Laboratories 

of Structures 

6.14 Proof Test of Flash- Army Artillery Board; 

ranging Equipment Signal Research 

and Development 

Laboratories 

6.15 Electromagnetic Signal Research 

Pulses from and Development 

Low-yield Bursts Laboratories 

137 
Project Title Fielding Agency 

DOD Effects Test Group 

8.8 Thermal Radiation Air Force Cambridge 

from Low-yield Research Center 

Nuclear Bursts 

LASL Test Group 

11.2 Aircraft Sampling LASL; AFSWC 

DOD Effects Test Group Projects 

The DOD Effects Test Group conducted four projects at Shot 

SOCORRO. 

Project 1.7, Airblast Phenomena and Instrumentation of 

Structures, was conducted by the Ballistic Research Laboratories 

to document blast phenomena resulting from a nuclear detonation 

and to evaluate new blast instruments. Project personnel 

installed blast gauges at stations approximately 60, 90, 10,580, 

and 14,630 meters from ground zero in the days preceding the 

scheduled detonation. During the day before the detonation, 

personnel entered the area to make final checks of instruments. 

Project personnel reentered the shot area after the detonation to 

recover records from the stations and to inspect the damage to 

the gauges. They then returned to Camp Mercury to analyze the 

data (14; 45). 

Project 6.14, Proof Test of Flash-ranging Equipment, was 

conducted by the Army Artillery Board and the Signal Research and 

Development Laboratories. The objective was to evaluate the 

138 
operational capabilities of flash-ranging instrumentation. 

Project personnel set up flash-ranging equipment at three sites 

12.8, 29, and 97 kilometers from ground zero in the days 

preceding the detonation. Participants operated equipment at the 

sites through shot-time: two persons were at Mine Mountain 12.8 

kilometers away and two were on Lookout Peak 29 kilometers away. 

Immediately after the detonation, personnel took data to the 

laboratory for analysis (14; 52). 

Project 6.15, Electromagnetic Pulses from Low-yield Bursts, 

was conducted by the Signal Research and Development Laboratories 

to detect, record, and analyze the electromagnetic pulse 

radiating from a nuclear detonation. As with other shots at 

which the project was conducted, project personnel manned the 

station at Boulder City, Nevada, several hours before the burst 

to prepare instruments. They remained at the station during the 

burst to detect and record the electromagnetic pulse and for a 

few hours afterward to analyze the data and turn off equipment 

(14; 29). 

Project 8.8, Thermal Radiation from Low-yield Nuclear 

Bursts, was conducted by the Air Force Cambridge Research Center 

to investigate the thermal radiation resulting from a lowaltitude detonation of low yield. An instrumented trailer nine 

kilometers south-southwest of ground zero was used to conduct 

measurements of thermal radiation during the detonation. Two 

project participants arrived at the station before the burst and 

remained behind the trailer until the shock wave passed. The 

participants then removed data from the site and left the area no 

later than 30 minutes after the detonation (14; 48). Two other 

project personnel operated instruments during the detonation at 

Building 400, near the Control Point, about 17 kilometers 

south-southwest of ground zero. 

139 
LASL Test Groun Projects 

Only one LASL Test Group project involved DOD personnel at 

Shot SOCORRO. The AFSWC 4926th Test Squadron (Sampling) 

participated in Project 11.2, Aircraft Sampling. The squadron 

conducted cloud sampling, discussed below. 

Air Force Special Weapons Center Activities 

AFSWC personnel conducted cloud-sampling, sample courier, and 

cloud-tracking missions during Shot SOCORRO. The following 

indicates the type and number of aircraft and the estimated number 

of DOD aircrew personnel involved in these missions (39; 40): 

TYPE OF NUMBER OF ESTIMATED NUMBER 

MISSION AIRCRAFT AIRCRAFT OF PERSONNEL 

Sampler Control B-57B 1 1 

Sampling B-57B 3 6 

Sample Courier c-47 1 3 

Cloud Tracking c-47 1 6 

T-33 1 2 

Three B-57B aircraft, each with a pilot and a radiological 

safety monitor, conducted the cloud-sampling mission for Project 

11.2, Aircraft Sampling. A fourth B-57B aircraft, with a pilot 

and a LASL technical advisor, acted as a sampler control 

aircraft, directing the three cloud-sampling aircraft to various 

sections of the cloud. The sampler control aircraft also 

collected samples in this mission. 

A C-47 aircraft, with a crew from the 4900th Air Base 

Group, transported the samples from Indian Springs AFB to 

Kirtland AFB. The samples were then taken to LASL for analysis 

(39; 40). 

140 
One C-47 aircraft performed a low-altitude cloud-tracking 

mission, and one T-33 conducted a high-altitude mission. They 

flew out to about 320 kilometers from ground zero (39; 40). 

5.10.2 Radiological Safety Activities 

The following paragraphs present available information on 

radiological safety procedures specific to Shot SOCORRO. 

Information common to the HARDTACK II shots is in chapter 3. 

Onsite Monitoring 

The initial survey team, consisting of 11 men in nine 

vehicles, entered the test area shortly after the detonation. 

Mid-time of the initial survey was 0637. Figure 5-8 shows a copy 

of the isointensity map generated from the initial survey (49). 

The survey team encountered gamma intensities of 10 R/h within a 

230-meter radius of ground zero. Monitors recorded radiation 

levels of 1 R/h about 870 meters from ground zero, while they 

took readings of 0.1 R/h within a radius of 1,350 meters from 

ground zero. Radiation levels of 0.01 R/h extended beyond four 

kilometers to the west of ground zero and about 1,800 meters in 

other directions. A resurvey of the test area conducted three 

days after the detonation showed that the area within about 

70 meters of ground zero had a gamma intensity of 1 R/h or more. 

The 0.1 R/h radiation area was limited to within a 500-meter 

radius of ground zero, while the 0.01 R/h area was confined to 

within 1,070 meters from ground zero (49). 

Offsite Monitoring 

USPHS personnel conducted monitoring in offsite areas. 

Since several shots were detonated on 22 October, the offsite 

monitoring teams did not complete their surveys until after the 

final detonation of the day. They encountered radiation 

141 
N 

mm.. •

. . . . . 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

•

•

0 

Meters 

1000 

--I,----

.-.s. 

. . . . . . 

Stake Lines 

lOR/h 

1 R/h 

0.1 R/h 

0.01 R/h 

Figure 5-8: INITIAL SURVEY FOR SHOT SOCORRO, 

22 OCTOBER 1958, MID-TIME 0637 

142 
intensities above background but determined that this radioactivity originated from the second detonation of that day, Shot 

WRANGELL. Therefore, they recorded no offsite radioactivity for 

Shot SOCORRO (47). 

5.11 SHOT WRANGELL 

Shot WRANGELL was detonated with a yield of 0.115 kiloton at 

0850 hours PST on 22 October 1958. The device, developed by 

UCRL, was suspended from a balloon 1,500 feet above the ground in 

Frenchman Flat, at UTM coordinates 956728 (35). 

At shot-time, the temperature was 8.3 degrees Celsius, and 

the surface winds were light and variable. Winds were eight 

knots from the northeast at 5,000 feet and 11 knots from the 

southwest at 10,000 feet. The cloud top reached an altitude of 

10,000 feet, and the cloud drifted toward the northeast (35). 

5.11.1 Department of Defense Participation in Scientific and 

Support Activities 

DOD personnel took part at Shot WRANGELL in scientific and 

diagnostic experiments conducted by the DOD Effects Test Group 

and the LASL Test Group. These pro.jects were: 

Project Title Fielding Agency 

DOD Effects Test Group 

6.14 Proof Test of Flash- Army Artillery Board; 

ranging Equipment Signal Research 

and Development 

Laboratories 

143 
Project Title Fielding Agency 

DOD Effects Test Group 

6.15 Electromagnetic Signal Research 

Pulses from and Development 

Low-yield Bursts Laboratories 

8.8 Thermal Radiation Air Force Cambridge 

from Low-yield Research Center 

Nuclear Bursts 

UCRL Test Group 

21.2 Radiochemical Sampling UCRL; AFSWC 

DOD Effects Test Group Projects 

Three DOD Effects Test Group projects were conducted at Shot 

WRANGELL. 

Project 6.14, Proof Test of Flash-ranging Equipment, was 

conducted by the Army Artillery Board and the Signal Research and 

Development Laboratories. The objective was to evaluate the 

operational capabilities of flash-ranging instrumentation. In 

the days preceding the detonation, pro,-iect personnel set up 

flash-ranging equipment at two sites approximately 20 and 80 

kilometers from ground zero. Two project participants operated 

the equipment at each site through shot-time. Immediately after 

the detonation, data were taken to a laboratory for analysis (7; 52). 

Project 6.15, Electromagnetic Pulses from Low-yield Bursts, 

was conducted by the Signal Research and Development Laboratories 

to detect, record, and analyze the electromagnetic pulse 

radiating from nuclear detonations. As at the other HARDTACK II 

144 
shots, project personnel went to the station at Boulder City, 

Nevada, several hours before the burst to prepare instruments. 

They remained at the station during shot-time to detect and 

record the electromagnetic pulse and for a few hours afterward to 

analyze the data and turn off equipment (7; 29). 

Project 8.8, Thermal Radiation from Low-yield Nuclear 

Bursts, was conducted by the Air Force Cambridge Research Center 

to investigate the thermal radiation resulting from a lowaltitude detonation of low yield. Two project personnel operated 

instruments at Building 400, near the Control Point, about 19 

kilometers northwest of ground zero. They operated the instruments through shot-time and left the area within 30 minutes after 

the detonation (7; 48). 

UCRL Test Group Projects 

Project 21.2, Radiochemical Sampling, was the only UCRL Test 

Group project at WRANGELL involving DOD participation. The 

4926th Test Squadron (Sampling) conducted cloud sampling, 

discussed below. 

Air Force Special Weapons Center Activities 

AFSWC personnel conducted cloud-sampling, sample courier, 

and cloud-tracking missions during Shot WRANGELL. The following 

indicates the type and number of aircraft and the estimated 

number of DOD aircrew personnel involved in these missions (39; 40): 

TYPE OF NUMBER OF ESTIMATED NUMBER 

MISSION AIRCRAFT AIRCRAFT OF PERSONNEL 

Sampler Control B-57B 1 1 

Sampling B-57B 2 4 

Sample Courier c-47 1 3 

Cloud Tracking B-25 1 6 

145 
Two B-57B aircraft, each with a pilot and a radiological 

safety monitor, conducted the cloud-sampling mission for Project 

21.2, Radiochemical Sampling. A third B-57B aircraft, with a 

pilot and a UCRL technical advisor, acted as a sampler control 

aircraft, directing the two cloud-sampling aircraft to various 

sections of the cloud. A fourth B-57B was scheduled to participate but was not used. 

A C-47 aircraft left Indian Springs AFB to transport samples 

to UCRL for analysis. The 4900th Air Base Group conducted this 

mission (39; 40). 

One B-25 aircraft performed a low-altitude cloud-tracking 

mission out to about 320 kilometers from ground zero. A T-33 

aircraft was scheduled to participate in a cloud-tracking mission 

but was not used (39; 40). 

5.11.2 Radiological Safety Activities 

Radiological safety procedures at Shot WRANGELL, including 

monitoring and decontamination of personnel and vehicles, were 

generally the same as at other shots in Operation HARDTACK II and 

are discussed in chapter 3. The following paragraphs present 

available information specific to Shot WRANGELL. 

Onsite Monitoring 

The initial survey team, consisting of 12 men in eight 

vehicles, entered the test area in Frenchman Flat shortly after 

the detonation. The survey was completed about one hour after 

the detonation. The maximum gamma reading at ground zero was 

about 10 R/h. Gamma intensities of 0.1 and 0.01 R/h were found 

470 meters and 1,400 meters, respectively, from ground zero in 

all directions (7; 49). 

146 
Offsite Monitoring 

From one to eight hours after the detonation, USPHS 

personnel monitored in offsite areas. They encountered gamma 

intensities above background in areas north of the NTS, particularly around Groom Lake and Lincoln Mine, Nevada. Gamma intensities at these locations ranged from 0.001 R/h to 0.004 R/h (47). 

5.12 SHOT RUSHMORE 

Shot RUSHMORE was detonated at 1540 hours PST on 22 October 

1958 with a yield of 0.188 kiloton. The device, developed by 

UCRL, was suspended from a balloon 500 feet above the ground in 

Area 9, UTM coordinates 852100 (35). 

At shot-time, the temperature was 17.8 degrees Celsius, and 

the surface winds were four knots from the southeast. Winds were 

seven knots from the south-southeast at 5,000 feet and 16 knots 

from the southwest at 10,000 feet. The top of the cloud reached 

a height of 11,500 feet, and the cloud moved northeast from the 

point of detonation (35). 

5.12.1 Department of Defense Participation in Scientific and 

Support Activities 

DOD personnel took part in three scientific and diagnostic 

experiments conducted by the DOD Effects Test Group and the UCRL 

Test Group at Shot RUSHMORE. 

DOD Effects Test Group Projects 

The DOD Effects Test Group conducted two projects at Shot 

RUSHMORE. 

Project 1.7, Airblast Phenomena and Instrumentation of 

Structures, was conducted by the Ballistic Research Laboratories 

147 
to document blast phenomena resulting from a nuclear detonation 

and to evaluate new instruments for measuring blast waves. An 

estimated four Ballistic Research Laboratories personnel took 

part in the project. In the days preceding the detonation, 

participants installed blast gauges at 11 stations approximately 

90, 490, 1,000, 1,530, 2,440, 3,660, 4,270, 4,570, 6,100, 15,540, 

and 19,810 meters from ground zero. At about 2100 hours on the 

day before the detonation, personnel entered the shot area to 

make final checks of instruments. After the detonation, 

participants reentered the shot area to recover records from the 

stations and to inspect the gauges. They then returned to Camp 

Mercury to analyze the data (16; 45). 

Pro_ject 8.8, Thermal Radiation from Low-yield Nuclear 

Bursts, was conducted by the Air Force Cambridge Research Center 

to investigate the thermal radiation resulting from a lowaltitude detonation of low yield. An instrumented trailer 7.6 

kilometers southwest of ground zero near the BJY measured thermal 

radiation during the detonation. Project participants checked 

equipment in the trailer several hours before the shot. Two 

participants occupied the station during the shot. They removed 

data records from the site immediately after the shock wave 

passed and left the area no later than 30 minutes after the 

detonation. Concurrently, two other project personnel operated 

instruments at Building 400, about 22 kilometers south-southwest 

of ground zero (16; 48). 

In addition to conducting the two projects, the DOD Effects 

Test Group coordinated participation by a detachment from the 

1352nd Motion Picture Squadron. Situated at the BJY, the 

detachment filmed the detonation (3). 

UCRL Test Group Projects 

Among the several UCRL Test Group projects conducted at Shot 

RUSHMORE, only Project 21.2, Radiochemical Sampling, involved DOD 

148 
participation. The AFSWC 4926th Test Squadron (Sampling) 

provided cloud sampling, discussed below. 

Air Force Special Weapons Center Activities 

AFSWC personnel conducted cloud-sampling, sample courier, 

and cloud-tracking missions during Shot RUSHMORE. The following 

listing indicates the type and number of aircraft and the 

estimated number of DOD aircrew personnel involved in these 

missions (39; 40): 

TYPE OF NUMBER OF ESTIMATED NUMBER 

MISSION AIRCRAFT AIRCRAFT OF PERSONNEL 

Sampler Control B-57B 1 1 

Sampling B-57B 2 4 

Sample Courier c-47 1 3 

Cloud Tracking c-47 1 6 

Two B-57B aircraft, each with a pilot and a radiological 

safety monitor, conducted the cloud-sampling mission for Pro,ject 

21.2, Radiochemical Sampling. A third B-57B aircraft, with a 

pilot and a UCRL technical advisor, was the sampler control 

aircraft, directing the two cloud-sampling aircraft to various 

sections of the cloud. Prior to takeoff, the B-57B sampler 

control aircraft had engine difficulties, and the crew performed 

the mission in another B-57B. 

A C-47 aircraft, with a crew from the 4900th Air Base Group, 

transported the sample filter papers from Indian Springs AFB to 

Alameda Naval Air Station. UCRL personnel then took the samples 

to the laboratory for analysis (39; 40). 

One C-47 aircraft conducted a cloud-tracking mission out to 

about 320 kilometers from ground zero. A T-33 aircraft was also 

scheduled for a cloud-tracking mission but was not used (39; 40). 

149 
5.12.2 Radiological Safety Activities 

The radiological safety procedures common to the Operation 

HARDTACK II shots are discussed in chapter 3. Information 

specific to Shot RUSHMORE is presented in the next paragraphs. 

Onsite Monitoring 

The initial survey team, consisting of 11 men in nine 

vehicles, entered the shot area shortly after the detonation to 

conduct a radiological survey. Mid-time of the initial survey 

was 1600 hours. Figure 5-9 presents a copy of the isointensity 

map generated from this survey (49). Gamma intensities of 10 R/h 

were within a radius of about 150 meters of ground zero. At 

distances of 500 meters and 730 meters, radiation levels 

decreased to 1 R/h and 0.1 R/h, respectively. Gamma readings of 

0.01 R/h were limited to within a radius of 1,050 meters from 

ground zero. A survey conducted 48 hours later showed radiation 

intensities at ground zero had decreased to 0.5 R/h. The 0.1 R/h 

or greater radiation area was confined to within 180 meters of 

ground zero, and the 0.01 R/h line did not extend beyond 580 

meters from ground zero (16; 49). 

Offsite Monitoring 

USPHS personnel conducted offsite monitoring. Since three 

weapons-related events and one safety experiment were conducted 

on 22 October, the offsite monitoring teams did not complete 

their surveys until after the final detonation of the day. Radiation intensities above background were encountered, but it was 

determined that this radioactivity probably originated from the 

second detonation of_ that day, Shot WRANGELL. Therefore, no offsite radioactivity was recorded specifically for RUSHMORE (47). 

150 
N 

Radiation intensity 

150 meters from 

ground zero was 

10 R/h. 

Stake Lines 

1 R/h 

.-.-• 0.1 R/h 

Meters . . . . . . 0.01 R/h

Figure 5-9: INITIAL SURVEY FOR SHOT RUSHMORE, 

22 OCTOBER 1959, MID-TIME 1600 

151 
5.13 SHOT SANFORD 

Shot SANFORD was detonated with a yield of 4.9 kilotons at 

0220 hours PST on 26 October 1958. Developed by UCRL, the device 

was suspended from a balloon 1,500 feet above the ground in 

Frenchman Flat, at UTM coordinates 856728 (35). 

At shot-time, the temperature was 3.4 degrees Celsius, and 

the winds were light and variable up to 5,000 feet, with winds at 

seven knots from the southeast at 10,000 feet, 23 knots from the 

southwest at 20,000 feet, and 30 knots from the southwest at 

25,000 feet. The cloud reached a height of 26,000 feet and moved 

to the northeast (35). 

5.13.1 Department of Defense Participation in Scientific and 

Support Activities 

DOD personnel at Shot SANFORD took part in two scientific 

and diagnostic experiments, one conducted by the DOD Effects Test 

Group and the other by the UCRL Test Group. 

DOD Effects Test Group Projects 

The DOD Effects Test Group project was Project 8.8, Thermal 

Radiation from Low-yield Nuclear Bursts. The Air Force Cambridge 

Research Center conducted the project to investigate the thermal 

radiation resulting from a detonation of low yield. During the 

detonation, two project personnel operated instruments at 

Building 400, about 19 kilometers northwest of ground zero (48). 

UCRL Test Group Projects 

The only UCRL Test Group project involving DOD participants 

was Project 21.2, Radiochemical Sampling. The AFSWC 4926th Test 

Squadron (Sampling) provided cloud sampling, discussed below. 

152 
Air Force Special Weapons Center Activities 

AFSWC personnel conducted cloud-sampling and sample courier 

missions during Shot SANFORD. The following information indicates 

the type and number of aircraft and the estimated number of DOD 

aircrew personnel involved in these missions (39; 40): 

TYPE OF NUMBER OF ESTIMATED NUMBER 

MISSION AIRCRAFT AIRCRAFT OF PERSONNEL 

Sampler Control B-57B 1 1 

Sampling B-57B 2 4 

Sample Courier c-47 1 3 

Two B-57B aircraft, each with a pilot and a radiological 

safety monitor, conducted the cloud-sampling mission for Project 

21.2, Radiochemical Sampling. A third B-57B aircraft, with a 

pilot and a technical advisor, was the sampler control aircraft, 

directing the two cloud-sampling aircraft to various sections of 

the cloud (39; 40). 

The C-47 courier aircraft, with a crew from the 4900th Air 

Base Group, transported the samples from Indian Springs AFB to 

Alameda Naval Air Station. UCRL personnel then took the samples 

to the laboratory for analysis (39; 40). 

5.13.2 Radiological Safety Activities 

This section discusses radiological safety procedures 

specific to Shot SANFORD. Chapter 3 presents radiological safety 

information common to the Operation HARDTACK II shots. 

153 
Onsite Monitoring 

The initial survey team entered the shot area shortly after 

the detonation. Mid-time of this survey was 0242 hours. Figure 

5-10 shows a copy of the isointensity map generated from the 

survey (49). Gamma intensities of 1 R/h were confined to within 

about 1,000 meters of ground zero. Radiation levels of 0.1 R/h 

and 0.01 R/h were registered at distances of 1,600 and 2,800 

meters, respectively. A survey conducted six hours later indicated radiation intensities of 1 R/h were within 500 meters of 

ground zero. Gamma intensities of 0.1 R/h and 0.01 R/h were 

encountered at distances of 1,000 and 1,500 meters from ground 

zero, respectively. A resurvey conducted two days after the 

detonation indicated that the 1 R/h contour did not extend beyond 

70 meters from ground zero. The 0.1 R/h and 0.01 R/h contours 

were within 800 and 1,100 meters of ground zero, respectively (49). 

Offsite Monitoring 

From two to eight hours after the detonation, USPHS 

personnel conducted offsite monitoring. They encountered gamma 

intensities above background in areas east and northwest of the 

NTS, particularly in areas around Alamo and Tonopah, Nevada. 

Gamma intensities at these locations ranged from 0.001 R/h to 

0.006 R/h (47). 

5.14 SHOT DE BACA 

Shot DE BACA was detonated at 0800 hours PST on 26 October 

1958 with a yield of 2.2 kilotons. The device, developed by 

LASL, was suspended from a balloon 1,500 feet above the ground in 

Area 7, at UTM coordinates 867047, the same location as Shots 

EDDY, MORA, LEA, DONA ANA, and SOCORRO (35). 

At shot-time, the temperature was 8.3 degrees Celsius, and 

the winds were light and variable up to 5,000 feet. Winds were 

154 
N 

. 

•

•

•

\ 

• • • • •

•

•

•

•

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. . . 

. 

Stake Lines 

Cl 

,. 

Meters 

.-rm. 

• . . . . . 

1 R/h 

0.1 R/h 

0.01 R/h 

Figure 5-10: INITIAL SURVEY FOR SHOT SANFORD, 

26 OCTOBER 1958, MID-TIME 0242 

155 
six knots from the southwest at 10,000 feet and ten knots from 

the west at 15,000 feet. The cloud reached a height of 17,500 

feet and moved northeast from the point of detonation (35). 

5.14.1 Department of Defense Participation in Scientific and 

Support Activities 

DOD personnel took part in two scientific and diagnostic 

experiments conducted by the effects test groups. 

DOD Effects Test Group,Projects 

Project 8.8, Thermal Radiation from Low-yield Nuclear 

Bursts, was the only DOD Effects Test Group project at Shot 

DE BACA. Conducted by the Air Force Cambridge Research Center, 

the project was to investigate the thermal radiation resulting 

from a detonation of low nuclear yield. Project personnel used a 

trailer located approximately seven kilometers northwest of 

ground zero. During the detonation, two participants remained in 

the trailer, which was instrumented to measure thermal radiation. 

After the shock wave passed, the two personnel removed data 

records and, 30 minutes after the detonation, left the area. 

Also during the shot, two other project personnel operated 

instruments at Building 400, about 17 kilometers south-southwest 

of ground zero (19; 48). 

LASL Test Group Projects 

The LASL Test Group conducted several projects at Shot 

DE BACA. However, only Project 11.2, Aircraft Sampling, involved 

DOD participation. The AFSWC 4926th Test Squadron (Sampling) 

conducted cloud sampling, discussed below. 

Air Force Special Weapons Center Activities 

AFSWC personnel conducted cloud-sampling, sample courier, 

and cloud-tracking missions during Shot DE BACA. The following 

156 
information indicates the type and number of aircraft and the 

estimated number of DOD aircrew personnel involved in these 

missions (39; 40): 

TYPE OF NUMBER OF ESTIMATED NUMBER 

MISSION AIRCRAFT AIRCRAFT OF PERSONNEL 

Sampler Control B-57B 1 1 

Sampling B-57B 3 6 

Sample Courier c-47 1 3 

Cloud Tracking c-47 1 6 

T-33 1 2 

Three B-57B aircraft, each with a pilot and a radiological 

safety monitor, conducted the cloud-sampling mission for Pro,ject 

11.2, Aircraft Sampling. A fourth B-57B aircraft, with a pilot 

and a LASL technical advisor, acted as a sampler control aircraft, directing the three cloud-sampling aircraft to various 

sections of the cloud (39; 40). 

A C-47 courier aircraft, with a crew from the 4900th Air 

Base Group, transported the samples from Indian Springs AFB to 

Kirtland AFB. The samples were then transported to LASL for 

analysis (39; 40). 

One C-47 aircraft and one T-33 performed cloud-tracking 

missions out to about 320 kilometers from ground zero (39; 40). 

5.14.2 Radiological Safety Activities 

This section discusses radiological safety procedures 

specific to Shot DE BACA. Chapter 3 presents radiological safety 

information common to all shots in the series. 

157 
Onsite Monitoring 

The initial survey team, consisting of ten men in six 

vehicles, entered the shot area shortly after the detonation to 

perform a survey (%9). Mid-time of this survey was 0822 hours. 

Figure 5-11 presents a copy of the isointensity map generated 

from the initial survey. The survey team found gamma radiation 

intensities of 10 R/h or more out to 120 meters from ground zero. 

Radiation levels of 1 R/h were limited to within a radius of 

about 600 meters from ground zero. Readings of 0.1 R/h and 

0.01 R/h extended out to 1,300 meters and 2,400 meters from 

ground zero, respectively. 

Six hours after the detonation, the gamma intensity at 

ground zero had decreased to 5 R/h. The 1 R/h radiation line 

increased in radius to 760 meters from ground zero. The probable 

reason for this increase was the bulldozing of radioactive earth 

away from ground zero to begin preparations for the SANTA FE 

event, to be conducted at the same location three days later. 

The bulldozing of earth away from ground zero caused isointensity 

line anomalies at other balloon shots. The 0.1 R/h and 0.01 R/h 

areas were confined to within 930 meters and 1,240 meters of 

ground zero, respectively. Two days after the detonation, the 

1 R/h line had contracted to within 60 meters of ground zero. 

Likewise, the 0.1 R/h and 0.01 R/h areas had contracted and did 

not extend beyond 490 meters and 770 meters from ground zero, 

respectively (19; 49). 

Offsite Monitoring 

Since Shots DE BACA and SANFORD were detonated less than six 

hours apart, USPHS personnel performed offsite monitoring for 

both shots simultaneously. Results of the offsite surveys are 

described in section 5.13.2, which describes monitoring after the 

SANFORD detonation (47). 

158 
•• •• ••

••

••

••

•• . 

• . 

• . 

. . 

. . 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

Stake Lines 

1 R/h 

.- * - • 0.1 R/h 

Meters . . . . . 9 0.01 R/h 

Figure 5-11: INITIAL SURVEY FOR SHOT DE BACA, 

26 OCTOBER 1966, MID-TIME 0622 

159 
5.15 SHOT EVANS 

Shot EVANS was fired at 1600 hours PST on 29 October 1958 

with a lower-than-expected yield of 0.055 kiloton. The device 

was detonated in a tunnel 852 feet below the surface of the 

Rainier Mesa in Area 12, at UTM coordinates 706167. UCRL 

developed the EVANS device (35). 

At shot-time, the temperature was 20 degrees Celsius, and 

the winds were seven knots from the west-northwest on the mesa at 

an elevation of 6,725 feet. A small amount of venting took 

place. The vented material produced low levels of radiation in 

the vicinity of the tunnel portal and along the access road from 

the Area 12 camp (35). 

5.15.1 Department of Defense Participation in Scientific and 

Support Activities 

DOD personnel at Shot EVANS took part in one project 

conducted by the DOD Effects Test Group and seven projects 

probably conducted by Headquarters, AFSWP. 

DOD Effects Test Group Project 

The DOD Effects Test Group project conducted at EVANS was 

Project 1.7, Airblast Phenomena and Instrumentation of Structures. 

Conducted by the Ballistic Research Laboratories, the project was 

to document blast phenomena resulting from a nuclear detonation 

and to evaluate new blast instruments. An estimated four 

Ballistic Research Laboratories personnel took part in the 

project. 

Participants installed blast gauges at seven stations in the 

EVANS tunnel wall at various distances from the point of 

detonation in the days preceding the scheduled detonation. 

Project personnel received telemetered data at monitoring 

stations before the blast destroyed the instruments (21; 45). 

160 
The DOD Effects Test Group also coordinated participation by 

a detachment from the 1352nd Motion Picture Squadron. This 

detachment filmed the placement of the EVANS device on 27 October 

1958 (3). 

Other Projects 

The additional projects involving DOD personnel and probably 

conducted by Headquarters, AFSWP, are discussed below. 

Project 26.1, Postshot Disturbances and Surface Motions, was 

sponsored by the Lawrence Radiation Laboratory and conducted by 

the Stanford Research Institute. The primary objectives were to: 

0 Investigate the postshot underground disturbances 

and surface displacements as functions of time after 

a deep underground nuclear detonation, using the 

recorded output of seismometers and the readings of 

simple liquid-level gauges 

0 Evaluate the applicability of the seismometers and 

gauges in detailed location of such bursts 

subsequent to their general location by other means. 

The gauges were 55 kilometers southeast of ground zero, and the 

seismometers were 55 and 40 kilometers southeast of ground 

zero (55). 

Four hours before the detonation, four participants traveled 

to a station 2,800 meters northwest of ground zero. About two 

and one-half hours after the detonation, these personnel went 

to a Stanford Research Institute recording truck 610 meters west 

of ground zero. Two men then went to the west end of a liquid 

level gauge, 550 meters southwest of ground zero, to observe 

indications of subsidence at ground zero (21). A postshot 

reading of the instruments was made four hours after the 

detonation. Subsequent readings were continued for several days, 

extending until after Shot BLANCA, on 30 October 1958 (55). In 

addition, two participants worked for approximately one hour at 

161 
the portals of the U12B and the U12E tunnels, shown in figure 

5-14, the survey map for Shot BLANCA. They then went to Rainier 

Mesa, where they conducted recovery activities for about two and 

one-half hours (21). 

Project 26.3, Earth Motion Measurements, was conducted by 

the Engineer Research and Development Laboratories to measure 

strong ground motion occurring in the medium surrounding ground 

zero. To obtain data, personnel installed two accelerometers and 

two strain gauges at each of six stations located 40, 85, 110, 

115, 215, and 260 meters from ground zero (4). They reentered 

the shot area to collect information after the area was opened 

for recovery activities (21). Because of the low yield of Shot 

EVANS, no usable records were obtained. In addition to 

installing Project 26.3 instruments, project personnel provided 

instruments for Project 26.7 (4). 

Project 26.4 was conducted by the Stanford Research 

Institute. At the declaration of recovery hour, four project 

personnel proceeded to Rainier Mesa within 310 meters of ground 

zero. They worked there mapping cracks and fissures in the mesa 

surface (21). 

Project 26.7, Structural Response and Permanent Displacement 

Measurements, was conducted by the Engineer Research and 

Development Laboratories and the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey. 

The objective was to measure structural response to the 

detonation. For permanent displacement measurements, points were 

selected in the tunnel in which Shot EVANS was detonated. The 

points were chosen to provide coverage at locations of possible 

differential movement and to identify permanent effects of the 

detonation. Surface points were selected to give both overall 

area coverage and specific coverage at locations where 

differential movement appeared probable. The project was done in 

conjunction with Projects 26.3 and 26.11 (53). 

162 
Project 26.8 was conducted by the Ballistics Research 

Laboratory. At the declaration of recovery hour, two project 

personnel went to a recording trailer near the bunker 110 meters 

east of the U12B portal (21). 

Project 26.9 was conducted by the University of California 

Radiation Laboratory and Armour Research Foundation. At 0600 

hours on shot-day, four personnel began working in the EVANS 

tunnel. They continued working until the commencement of arming, 

when they left the shot area. When the area was opened for 

recovery activities, two parties, each of three participants, 

proceeded in vehicles to a trailer directly below the bunker east 

of the U12B portal (21). 

Project 26.11 was conducted by the U.S. Coast and Geodetic 

Survey in conjunction with ProJect 26.7 to measure permanent 

displacement of structures (53). 

Air Force Special Weapons Center Activities 

AFSWC personnel conducted a cloud-tracking mission and an 

aerial photography mission during Shot EVANS. Cloud sampling was 

not conducted, since there was no significant venting. 

One L-20 aircraft performed the cloud-tracking mission. The 

L-20 also took photographs of the shot area during and after the 

detonation (39; 40). 

Two C-45 aircraft were scheduled for an aerial photography 

mission. Because there is no documentation confirming that these 

C-45s performed the task, it is probable that the L-20 cloud 

tracker was the only aircraft conducting a photography mission 

(39; 40). 

163 
5.15.2 Radiological Safety Activities 

The radiological safety procedures at Shot EVANS that were 

generally the same as those at the other HARDTACK II shots are 

discussed in chapter 3. This section presents information 

specific to Shot EVANS. 

Onsite Monitoring 

EVANS was detonated in a tunnel, and most of the radiation 

was contained within the ground. A radiological survey of the 

access road and the area around the tunnel portal was conducted 

by ten men who drove to the test area in eight vehicles. The 

mid-time of this initial survey was 1700 hours. Gamma intensities up to 0.28 R/h were encountered at a bunker about 600 meters 

east of the tunnel portal. Readings in other areas farther from 

the portal ranged up to 0.03 R/h (49). 

5.16 SHOT MAZAMA 

Shot MAZAMA was detonated at 0320 hours PST on 29 October 

1958. The device did not have a measurable yield. The MAZAMA 

device, developed by UCRL, was detonated on a 50-foot steel tower 

in Area 9, at UTM coordinates 857091 (35). 

At shot-time, the temperature was 7.6 degrees Celsius. 

Winds were predicted to be eight knots from the north to the 

northwest up to 5,000 feet. The top of the cloud reached a 

height of about 6,000 feet and moved southwest from the point of 

detonation (35). 

5.16.1 Department of Defense Participation in Scientific and 

Support Activities 

DOD personnel took part in scientific and diagnostic 

experiments conducted at Shot MAZAMA by the DOD Effects Test 

Group and the UCRL Test Group. 

164 
DOD Effects Test Group Projects 

The DOD Effects Test Group conducted one pro,ject at Shot 

MAZAMA. Project 8.8, Thermal Radiation from Low-yield Nuclear 

Bursts, was conducted by the Air Force Cambridge Research Center 

to investigate the thermal radiation resulting from a lowaltitude detonation of low nuclear yield. A trailer, located 

three kilometers northwest of ground zero near the BJY, was 

instrumented to measure thermal radiation during the detonation. 

Two project personnel operated equipment at the station 

during the shot. As with the other shots at which Project 8.8 

was conducted, the participants were scheduled to remove data 

records from the site immediately after the shock wave passed and 

to leave the area within 30 minutes after the detonation. Also 

during shot-time, two to six other project personnel operated 

instruments at Building 400, located at Yucca Pass 22 kilometers 

south-southwest of the MAZAMA ground zero (20; 48). 

In addition to conducting the one project, the DOD Effects 

Test Group coordinated the activities of a detachment from the 

1352nd Motion Picture Squadron. This detachment filmed the 

placement of the MAZAMA device on 25 October 1958 (3). 

UCRL Test Group Projects 

Of the UCRL Test Group projects at Shot MAZAMA, only Protject 

21.2, Radiochemical Sampling, involved DOD participation. The 

AFSWC 4926th Test Squadron (Sampling) conducted cloud sampling to 

support this project. This activity is discussed in the next 

section. 

Air Force Special Weapons Center Activities 

AFSWC personnel conducted a cloud-sampling mission during 

Shot MAZAMA. There were no other air missions for this shot 

(39; 40). 

165 
One B-57B aircraft, with a pilot and a radiological safety 

monitor, conducted cloud sampling for Project 21.2, Radiochemical 

Sampling. A sampler control aircraft did not participate. 

A C-47 aircraft had been scheduled to transport the samples 

to Alameda Naval Air Station, to be taken to UCRL for analysis. 

However, the mission was canceled (39; 40). 

5.16.2 Radiological Safety Activities 

Radiological safety procedures at Shot MAZAMA were generally 

the same as at other shots in Operation HARDTACK II, and are 

discussed in chapter 3. The following paragraphs present 

information on radiological protection specific to Shot MAZAMA. 

Onsite Monitoring 

The initial survey team, consisting of nine men in six 

vehicles, entered the test area shortly after the detonation. 

Mid-time of the initial survey was 0412 hours. The team 

encountered alpha radioactivity but no gamma radioactivity. A 

survey seven hours after the detonation indicated alpha activity 

on debris within a 300-meter radius of ground zero (20; 49). 

Offsite Monitoring 

From four to seven hours after the detonation, USPHS 

personnel monitored in offsite areas. No gamma intensities above 

background resulted from MAZAMA (47). 

5.17 SHOT HUMBOLDT 

Shot HUMBOLDT was fired with a yield of 0.0078 kiloton at 

0645 hours PST on 29 October 1958. The device, developed by 

UCRL, was detonated on a 25-foot tower in Area 3, at UTM 

coordinates 867004. HUMBOLDT was a joint UCRL and DOD weapons 

166 
effects test with DOD participation in five DOD Effects Test 

Group projects. Among the HARDTACK II shots, only HAMILTON had 

more DOD project participation (35). 

At shot-time, the temperature was 7.4 degrees Celsius and the 

surface winds were six knots from the northwest. Winds were 

25 knots from the northeast at 5,000 feet and 14 knots from the 

northeast at 10,000 feet. The top of the cloud reached a height of 

7,500 feet and moved southwest from the point of detonation (35). 

5.17.1 Department of Defense Participation in Scientific and 

Support Activities 

The following listing identifies the test group projects by 

number and title and indicates the participating agencies: 

Project Title Fielding Agency 

DOD Effects Test Group 

1.7 Airblast Phenomena 

Instrumentation of 

Structures 

and Ballistic 

Laboratories 

Research 

2.12a Neutron Flux from 

low-yield Bursts 

Very- Chemical 

Laboratories 

Warfare 

2.12b Gamma Dose from Verylow-yield Bursts Chemical 

Laboratories 

Warfare 

4.2 Effects of Very-low-yield 

Bursts on Biological 

Specimens (Mice and Swine) 

Walter Reed 

Institute 

Army 

of Research 

8.8 Thermal Radiation 

Low-yield Nuclear 

from 

Bursts 

Air Force 

Research 

Cambridge 

Center 

UCRL Test Group 

21.2 Radiochemical Sampling UCRL; AFSWC 

167 
DOD Effects Test Group Projects 

The DOD Effects Test Group conducted five projects at Shot 

HUMBOLDT. 

Project 1.7, Airblast Phenomena and Instrumentation of 

Structures, was conducted by the Ballistic Research Laboaratories 

to document blast phenomena resulting from a nuclear detonation 

and to evaluate the ability of new blast instruments to measure 

blast waves. An estimated four Ballistic Research Laboratories 

personnel took part in the project. Participants installed blast 

gauges at 22 stations between nine and 1,220 meters from ground 

zero in the days preceding the detonation. The day before the 

detonation, personnel entered the area to make final checks of 

instruments. Participants reentered the shot area after the 

detonation to recover records from the stations and to inspect 

the gauges. They then returned to Camp Mercury to analyze the 

data (25; 45). 

Project personnel also obtained information on blast damage 

effects. They placed two armored personnel carriers 25 meters 

from ground zero before the detonation. After the detonation, 

personnel entered the area to inspect the vehicles and photograph 

damage (45). 

Project 2.12a, Neutron Flux from Very-low-yield Bursts, was 

conducted by the Chemical Warfare Laboratories to: 

0 Measure neutron flux and dose at various distances 

from the detonation 

a Measure neutron, thermal, and gamma radiation up to 

an altitude of 1,500 feet 

0 Provide dose measurements in support of Project 4.2 

• Determine neutron flux and spectrum for induced 

activity studies in support of Project 2.12~. 

168 
Project personnel installed threshold detectors and chemical 

dosimeters 12 to 330 meters from ground zero along a cable that 

ran east of ground zero. In support of Projects 1.7 and 4.2, 

they placed additional detectors in open and two-thirds covered 

foxholes and in two armored personnel carriers containing Project 

4.2 animals the day before the detonation. The foxholes and 

carriers ranged five to 30 meters from ground zero. 

Shortly after the detonation, project personnel in a 

five-ton truck recovered the detectors and dosimeters on the 

cable by attaching the end of the cable farthest from ground zero 

to the back of the truck and pulling the cable to a recovery 

area, where the detectors were removed. Immediately after 

recovery, the detectors were returned to a mobile laboratory 

trailer, located in the forward area. 

Participants also towed the personnel carriers to a recovery 

area, where the detectors and animals were removed. The dosimeters were returned to the Chemical Warfare Laboratories for 

analysis. Project 4.2 personnel later recovered the detectors in 

the foxholes (25; 45; 46; 51). 

Project 2.12b, Gamma Dose from Very-low-yield Bursts, was 

conducted by the Chemical Warfare Laboratories to provide gamma 

dose measurements in support of Project 4.2 and to record the 

initial gamma dose at various distances from ground zero. Other 

objectives were to record residual radiation intensities and 

determine the field gamma decay rate. 

On the day before the shot, project personnel installed film 

badges on stakes along four lines north, east, south, and west of 

ground zero. They placed the film badges out to approximately 

730 meters from ground zero on each of the four stake lines. 

Participants also placed film badges in the two armored personnel 

carriers used for Projects 2.12a and 4.2. 

169 
A few minutes after the passage of the blast wave, a 

recovery team, consisting of personnel from Projects 2.12a, 

2.12b, and 4.2, began retrieving the film badges. As stated in 

the Project 2.12a description, the personnel carriers were towed 

out of the ground zero area before the film badges were removed. 

Meanwhile, personnel of the Chemical Corps Training Command moved 

into the shot area, marking the 10 R/h point on the east film 

badge stake line and measuring the dose rate at each stake on 

that line outside of the 10 R/h intensity line. Fifteen minutes 

after the detonation, four other teams made similar surveys on 

all four of the film badge stake lines. A third team conducted a 

general radiological survey. The survey teams made additional 

surveys of the shot area up until six and one-half hours after 

the detonation. At that time, the area was evacuated for Shot 

SANTA FE (25; 44; 46; 51). 

Project 4.2, Effects of Very-low-yield Bursts on Biological 

Specimens (Mice and Swine), was conducted by the Walter Reed Army 

Institute of Research. The objective was to evaluate the effects 

of nuclear radiation on the animals in an attempt to define the 

effects on humans. 

Five hours before the detonation, project personnel placed 

about 65 pigs in the foxholes and the two armored personnel 

carriers used in Projects 2.12a and 2.12b. The foxholes were 

located about 5 to 20 meters from ground zero, and the vehicles 

were about 25 meters from ground zero. Within 15 minutes of the 

detonation, after the armored personnel carriers were towed to a 

recovery area, project personnel opened the vehicles and removed 

the animals. Camera crews from the 1352nd Motion Picture 

Squadron photographed recovery of the animals, which were taken 

by truck to the Frenchman Flat holding facility for analysis (25; 

44; 46; 51). 

170 
Pro,ject personnel entered the shot area again ten hours 

after the detonation to recover the animals that had been placed 

in foxholes. They also recovered Project 2.12 instruments from 

the foxholes. It is probable that these participants were 

granted special permission to enter the area, because the area 

had been evacuated three and one-half hours earlier. The 

recovered animals were also taken to the holding facility for 

analysis. 

Project 8.8, Thermal Radiation from Low-yield Nuclear 

Bursts, was conducted by the Air Force Cambridge Research Center 

to investigate the thermal radiation resulting from a lowaltitude detonation of low nuclear yield. A trailer, approximately two kilometers southwest of ground zero, was instrumented 

to measure thermal radiation during the detonation. Two project 

personnel occupied the station during the shot. The participants 

removed data records from the site immediately after the shock 

wave passed and left the area (24; 45). Also during shot-time, 

two other project personnel operated instruments at Building 400, 

near the Control Point, south-southwest of ground zero (25; 48). 

Besides conducting five pro.jects, the DOD Effects Test Group 

coordinated the activities of a detachment from the 1352nd Motion 

Picture Squadron. This detachment photographed the detonation 

from a station three kilometers from ground zero. It also 

provided aerial photography of the detonation (3). 

UCRL Test Group Procjects 

The one UCRL Test Group project involving DOD participation 

was Project 21.2, Radiochemical Sampling. The 4926th Test 

Squadron (Sampling) supported the project with cloud sampling, 

discussed in the next section. 

Air Force Special Weapons Center Activities 

AFSWC personnel conducted cloud-sampling, sample courier, 

and cloud-tracking missions during Shot HUMBOLDT. Two H-21 

171 
helicopters were scheduled to perform an aerial terrain survey 

mission after the detonation, but the mission was canceled. The 

following information indicates the type and number of aircraft 

and the estimated number of DOD aircrew personnel involved in 

these missions (39; 40): 

TYPE OF NUMBER OF ESTIMATED NUMBER 

MISSION AIRCRAFT AIRCRAFT OF PERSONNEL 

Cloud Sampling

and Control 

B-57B 1 1 

Sample Courier c-47 1 3 

Cloud Tracking c-47 1 6 

One B-57B aircraft, with a pilot and a technical advisor 

from UCRL, acted as a sampler control and sampling aircraft for 

Project 21.2, Radiochemical Sampling. 

A C-47 courier aircraft, with a crew from the 4900th Air 

Base Group, transported the samples from Indian Springs AFB to 

the Alameda Naval Air Station. UCRL personnel then took the 

samples to UCRL for analysis (39; 40). 

One C-47 aircraft performed a cloud-tracking mission out to 

about 320 kilometers from ground zero. This same aircraft also 

conducted a photography mission during the detonation (39; 40). 

5.17.2 Radiological Safety Activities 

The radiological safety procedures generally common to all 

Operation HARDTACK II shots are discussed in chapter 3. The 

following paragraphs present the available information specific 

to Shot HUMBOLDT. 

172 
Onsite Monitoring 

The initial survey team, consisting of 14 men in eight 

vehicles, entered the test area shortly after the detonation. 

Mid-time of the initial survey was 0721. Figure 5-12 presents a 

copy of the isointensity map generated from this survey (49). 

Because the HUMBOLDT cloud drifted to the south, radioactivity 

was found for a considerable distance in this direction. Gamma 

intensities of 1 R/h were limited to within 300 meters of ground 

zero except to the south, where the 1 R/h line extended for 

3.5 kilometers. In all directions but south, the 0.1 R/h and 

0.01 R/h radiation lines were within 650 to 870 meters of ground 

zero, respectively. The 0.1 and 0.01 R/h lines extended for more 

than four kilometers to the south (49). 

A survey conducted six hours after the shot revealed that 

the 1 R/h radiation line was limited to within a radius of about 

40 meters from ground zero except to the south, where it extended 

to 110 meters. The 0.1 R/h radiation line also contracted and 

extended about 800 meters to the south. In all directions except 

south, the 0.01 R/h radiation line was within 500 meters of 

ground zero. This line extended for about 2.6 kilometers to the 

south. By 27 hours after the detonation, gamma intensities of 

1 R/h were still within about 40 meters of ground zero. The 

0.1 R/h radiation area was confined to a radius of 140 meters, 

while the 0.01 R/h area was limited to within 470 meters of 

ground zero. The maximum reading at ground zero was greater than 

10 R/h (49). 

Offsite Monitoring 

USPHS personnel conducted offsite monitoring. Since three 

shots were fired on 29 October, the offsite monitoring teams did 

not complete their surveys until after Shot SANTA FE, the final 

detonation of the day. At that time, gamma intensities above 

background were encountered in areas southwest of the NTS, 

particularly around Lathrop Wells, Nevada. Gamma intensities at 

this location ranged from 0.001 R/h to 0.007 R/h (47). 

173 
N 

/I 

. ••

. ••

. . 

. 

1 R/h 

.-.m. 0.1 R/h 

Meters . . . . . . 0.01 R/h

Figure 5-12: INITIAL SURVEY FOR SHOT HUMBOLDT, 

29 OCTOBER 1959, MID-TIME 0721 

174 

1 
5.18 SHOT SANTA FE 

Shot SANTA FE was detonated at 1900 hours PST on 30 October 

1958 with a yield of 1.3 kilotons. The device was suspended from 

a balloon 1,500 feet above the ground in Area 7, at UTM 

coordinates 867047, the same location as Shots EDDY, MORA, LEA, 

DONA ANA, SOCORRO, and DE BACA. LASL developed the SANTA FE 

device (35). 

At shot-time, the temperature was 12.1 degrees Celsius, and 

the surface winds were light and variable. Winds were from the 

northeast at 11 knots at 5,000 feet, 24 knots at 10,000 feet, and 

37 knots at 15,000 feet. The top of the cloud reached a height 

of 18,000 feet, and the cloud moved southwest from the point of 

detonation (35). 

5.18.1 Department of Defense Participation in Scientific and 

Support Activities 

DOD personnel took part in two scientific and diagnostic 

experiments conducted by the DOD Effects Test Group and the LASL 

Test Group. 

DOD Effects Test Group Projects 

The one DOD Effects Test Group project was Project 8.8, 

Thermal Radiation from Low-yield Nuclear Bursts. Conducted by 

the Air Force Cambridge Research Center, the project was to 

investigate the thermal radiation resulting from a nuclear 

detonation of low yield. A trailer, located nine kilometers 

southwest of ground zero, was instrumented to measure thermal 

radiation during the detonation. Two project personnel occupied 

the station during the shot. The participants removed data 

records from the site immediately after the shock wave passed and 

left the test area (24; 48). Also through shot-time, two pro,ject 

personnel operated instruments at Building 400, near the Control 

Point, about 17 kilometers south-southwest of ground zero (48). 

175 
LASL Test Group Projects 

Among the several LASL Test Group projects, only Project 

11.2, Aircraft Sampling, involved DOD participation. The 4926th 

Test Squadron (Sampling) conducted cloud sampling. This activity 

is discussed in the next section. 

Air Force Special Weapons Center Activities 

AFSWC personnel conducted cloud-sampling, sample courier, 

and cloud-tracking missions during Shot SANTA FE. The following 

information indicates the type and number of aircraft and the 

estimated number of DOD aircrew personnel involved in these 

missions (39; 40): 

TYPE OF NUMBER OF ESTIMATED NUMBER 

MISSION AIRCRAFT AIRCRAFT OF PERSONNEL 

Sampler Control B-57B 1 1 

Sampling B-57B 2 4 

Sample Courier c-47 1 3 

Cloud Tracking c-47 1 6 

Two B-57B aircraft, each with a pilot and a radiological 

safety monitor, conducted the cloud-sampling mission for Project 

11.2, Aircraft Sampling. Another B-57B had been scheduled for 

cloud sampling, but aborted its mission before takeoff. A third 

B-57B aircraft, with a pilot and a LASL technical advisor, acted 

as a sampler control aircraft, directing the two cloud-sampling 

aircraft to various sections of the cloud (39; 40). 

A C-47 courier aircraft, with a crew from the 4900th Air 

Base Group, transported the samples from Indian Springs AFB to 

Kirtland AFB. They were then taken to LASL for analysis (39; 40). 

176 
One C-47 aircraft performed a cloud-tracking mission out to 

about 320 kilometers from ground zero (39; 40). 

5.18.2 Radiological Safety Activities 

Radiological safety procedures at Shot SANTA FE, including 

monitoring and decontamination of personnel and vehicles, were 

generally the same as at other shots in Operation HARDTACK II and 

are discussed in chapter 3. This section presents information on 

radiological safety procedures specific to SANTA FE. 

Onsite Monitoring 

The initial survey team, consisting of ten men in eight 

vehicles, entered the test area shortly after the detonation to 

perform a survey of the shot area. Mid-time of the initial 

survey was 1940. Figure 5-13 presents a copy of the isointensitg 

map generated from this survey (49). Radiation levels of 1 R/h 

were limited to within a radius of about 430 meters of ground 

zero. Readings of 0.1 R/h and 0.01 R/h or more were registered 

out to about 900 meters and 1,960 meters from ground zero, 

respectively. A survey conducted 15 hours later showed that the 

1 R/h or more radiation area was reduced to within 260 meters of 

ground zero, while the 0.1 R/h and 0.01 R/h or more areas were 

limited to 730 and 1,200 meters from ground zero, respectively. 

Within three days after the detonation, the 0.1 R/h or more 

radiation area was limited to within 250 meters of ground zero, 

while the 0.01 R/h or more area did not extend beyond 730 meters 

(24; 49). 

Offsite Monitoring 

From two to five hours after the detonation, USPHS personnel 

conducted monitoring in offsite areas. They encountered gamma 

intensities above background in areas southwest of the NTS, 

particularly around Lathrop Wells, Nevada. Gamma intensities at 

this location ranged from 0.002 R/h to 0.007 R/h (47). 

177 
N 

. • • •

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

• • •

•

•

Stake Lines 

0 

I I 

1000 

I .-.m. 

1 R/h 

0.1 R/h 

Meters *.*a... 0.01 R/h 

Figure 5-13: INITIAL SURVEY FOR SHOT SANTA FE, 

30 OCTOBER 1958, MID-TIME 1940 

178 
5.19 SHOT BLANCA 

Shot BLANCA was fired at 0700 hours PST on 30 October 1958. 

BLANCA had a yield of 22 kilotons and was the largest detonation 

of Operation HARDTACK II. The device, developed by UCRL, was 

detonated in a tunnel 987 feet below the ground in Area 12, at 

UTM coordinates 704157 (35). 

At shot-time, the temperature was 7.9 degrees Celsius. 

Five and one-half hours after the detonation, winds were eight 

knots from the east-northeast at the surface, 13 knots from the 

northeast at 5,000 feet, and 12 knots from the east-northeast at 

7,000 feet. The shot vented, and the top of the cloud reached a 

height of 580 feet above Rainier Mesa. The cloud moved west from 

the point of detonation (35). 

5.19.1 Department of Defense Participation in Scientific and 

Support Activities 

The UCRL Test Group performed projects at Shot BLANCA. The 

only one of these projects involving DOD participants was Project 

21.2, Radiochemical Sampling. The 4926th Test Squadron 

(Sampling) conducted cloud sampling, discussed below with the 

AFSWC activities. 

While the DOD Effects Test Group did not conduct pro,jects at 

the shot, it did coordinate activities of a detachment from the 

1352nd Motion Picture Squadron. On 18 October 1958, the detachment filmed assembly of the BLANCA device. It also photographed 

the mountain and the venting of the shot at a station 3.2 

kilometers from ground zero (3). 

In addition, Projects 26.1 and 26.7 were conducted at Shot 

BLANCA, probably by Headquarters, AFSWP. 

179 
Project 26.1, Postshot Disturbances and Surface Motion, was 

sponsored by the Lawrence Radiation Laboratory and conducted by 

the Stanford Research Institute. The primary objectives were to: 

Investigate the postshot underground disturbances 

and surface displacements as functions of time after 

a deep underground nuclear detonation, using the 

recorded output of seismometers and the readings of 

simple liquid-level gauges 

0 

0 Evaluate the applicability of the seismometers and 

gauges in detailed location of such bursts 

subsequent to their general location by other means. 

The instruments were southeast of ground zero, the gauges being 

55 kilometers and the seismometers 55 and 40 kilometers. An 

effort was made to take a reading about five hours after the 

detonation, but radiation conditions and the destruction of the 

roads prevented access to the instruments. Two days after the 

detonation, participants reentered the shot area and found the 

equipment damaged. They made repairs three days after the 

detonation and took a series of readings at that time and on the 

fourth and sixth days following the detonation (55). 

Project 26.7, Structural Response and Permanent Displacement 

Measurements, was conducted by the Engineer Research and 

Development Laboratories and the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey. 

The objective was to measure structural response to the 

detonation. For permanent displacement measurements, points were 

selected in the tunnel in which Shot BLANCA was detonated. The 

points were chosen to provide coverage at locations of possible 

differential movement and to identify permanent effects of the 

detonation. Surface points were selected to give both overall 

area coverage and specific coverage at locations where differential movement appeared probable. Personnel conducted both preand postshot surveys of the permanent displacement points (53). 

180 
Air Force Special Weapons Center Activities 

AFSWC personnel conducted cloud-sampling, cloud-tracking, 

observer, and photography missions during Shot BLANCA. The 

following listing indicates the type and number of aircraft and 

the estimated number of DOD aircrew personnel involved in these 

missions (39; 40): 

TYPE OF NUMBER OF ESTIMATED NUMBER 

MISSION AIRCRAFT AIRCRAFT OF PERSONNEL 

Sampler Control B-57B 1 1 

Sampling B-57B 1 2 

Cloud Tracking L-20 1 2 

Observer Bonanza 1 * 

Photography L-20 1 2 

*Unknown 

There is no evidence of any sample courier mission at the shot. 

One B-57B aircraft, with a pilot and a radiological safety 

monitor, conducted the cloud-sampling mission for Project 21.2, 

Radiochemical Sampling. A second B-57B aircraft, with a pilot 

and a UCRL technical advisor, acted as a sampler control 

aircraft, directing the cloud-sampling aircraft to various 

sections of the BLANCA cloud. An L-20 aircraft conducted a 

cloud-tracking mission out to about 320 kilometers from ground 

zero (39; 40). 

5.19.2 Radiological Safety Activities 

This section presents radiological safety information 

specific to Shot BLANCA. Chapter 3 discusses radiological safety 

procedures common to the Operation HARDTACK II shots. 

181 
Although BLANCA was detonated in a tunnel, it vented through 

the overburden and into the atmosphere. Venting occurred at the 

edge of Rainier Mesa in Area 12. The ensuing cloud rose to a 

height of 580 feet above the mesa and drifted off in a westerly 

direction. Ten men, who drove to the shot area in eight 

vehicles, surveyed the access road, the edge of the mesa, and the 

area around the tunnel portal. Readings were taken one-half 

hour, six hours, one day, and two days after the detonation. 

Figure 5-14 shows the radiation contours generated from the 

initial survey (49). Gamma intensities of 1 R/h were encountered 

along the access road out to about 600 meters from the tunnel 

portal. Radiation readings of 0.1 and 0.01 R/h were found 

farther down the road from the portal. Gamma intensities of 0.1 

and 1 R/h were registered at 1343 hours along the edge of the 

mesa, approaching the venting location. A survey conducted two 

days after the detonation found similar readings along the mesa 

edge (22; 49; 59). 

Offsite Monitoring 

From one to eight hours after the detonation, USPHS 

personnel monitored in offsite areas. They did not encounter 

gamma intensities above background in any of these areas (47). 

182 
2 To Top of Mesa 

N 

0.1 R/h 0.0 1 R/h 

Top of 

Mesa 

Access Road 

Mesa Edge 

Figure 514: INITIAL SURVEY FOR SHOT BLANCA, 

30 OCTOBER 1958. MID-TIME 0730 

183 
CHAPTER 6 

SAFETY EXPERIMENTS 

Operation HARDTACK II included 18 safety experiments, 

conducted from 12 September to 30 October 1958. Nine of the 

detonations were below ground. Six of these tests, sponsored by 

LASL, occurred in shafts in Area 3, while the other three, 

sponsored by UCRL, were detonated in tunnels in Area 12, a 

mountainous area of the NTS. Of the nine remaining safety 

experiments, LASL had one balloon and two tower tests, and UCRL 

had three tower and three surface detonations (35). Table l-2 

presents information on the safety experiments, which had yields 

up to 0.115 kiloton. Figure 1-3 shows the location of these 

experiments at the Nevada Test Site. 

LASL and UCRL conducted the 18 experiments to determine the 

safety of newly developed nuclear weapons during transportation 

and storage. Some of the high-explosive portions of the devices 

were fired to simulate accidental damage. The objective was to 

determine the potential of such partial firings resulting in a 

nuclear yield above the defined safe limit of four pounds. LASL 

and UCRL used data gained from the tests to develop devices that 

could withstand shock, blast, fire, and other accidents. 

Most of the participants in the safety experiments were 

employees of LASL, UCRL, EG&G, and REECo. Personnel from these 

AEC contractors developed devices and experiments, conducted 

sampling and scientific projects, and monitored the areas for 

radiation. 

DOD personnel participation during these experiments is 

difficult to determine. Although most of the employees of LASL 

and UCRL were civilians, some DOD personnel were also assigned to 

these organizations. The DOD personnel who conducted a DOD 

184 
project in the safety experiments were associated with the DOD 

Effects Test Group Project 6.15, Electromagnetic Pulses from Lowyield Bursts, conducted at MARS, HIDALGO, NEPTUNE, and VESTA. 

During the detonation, these personnel were at a station near 

Boulder City, Nevada, about 160 kilometers from the NTS. Other 

DOD participants in the safety experiments flew cloud-sampling 

missions for LASL and UCRL Test Group projects and cloud-tracking 

missions for the Test Manager. Table l-5 identifies AFSWC 

support for the safety experiments. Additional DOD personnel 

were a part of the NTSO staff (29). 

6.1 OTERO 

OTERO was detonated on 12 September 1958 at 1300 hours PDT. 

The device, developed by LASL, was fired in a shaft 480 feet deep 

in Area 3 at UTM coordinates 861007. The yield was 0.038 

kiloton. At the time of detonation, surface winds were 25 knots 

from the south. The cloud rose to a height of 9,000 feet and 

drifted to the north (35). 

6.1.1 DOD Participation 

Department of Defense participation at this test included 

AFSWC cloud-sampling and cloud-tracking missions. Two B-57 

aircraft from Indian Springs AFB conducted the cloud-sampling 

mission, and a C-47 from Indian Springs AFB performed the 

cloud-tracking mission (39; 40). 

6.1.2 Radiological Safety Activities 

Radiological safety personnel conducted onsite surveys at 

various times after the detonation. Figure 6-l shows results of 

the initial survey (28; 49). USPHS personnel conducted offsite 

surveys in the areas north of ground zero. They encountered 

185 
••

••

1 

. . . 

. 

. 

1 I, 

.

•

N

/r i 

. 

. / 

. 

’ 

.

. 

I 

. 

. 

./’ 

/ I 

. 

I . •• . 

. . .

\ . 

\ . . . \ . . . . . 

. 

. 

. 4 . 

% . . .

. 9 . I 

. . 

. 1 I

0 

I 

Meters 

1000 

I .-.-. 

. . . . . . . 

Stake Lines 

1 R/h 

0.1 R/h 

0.01 R/h 

Figure 6-l: INITIAL SURVEY FOR OTERO, 12 SEPTEMBER 1966,

MID-TIME 1346 

186 
gamma readings ranging from 0.009 R/h to 0.0009 R/h in areas 

around Groom Lake, Nevada (47). 

6.2 BERNALILLO 

BERNALILLO was a LASL device detonated in a 456-foot shaft 

in Area 3 at UTM coordinates 859006. The detonation, which had a 

yield of 0.015 kiloton, occurred at 1230 hours PDT on 17 

September 1958. At the time of detonation, surface winds were 13 

knots from the south. The cloud rose to a height of 7,500 feet 

and drifted to the north (35). 

6.2.1 DOD Participation 

DOD participation consisted of four AFSWC B-57 aircraft from 

Indian Springs AFB conducting cloud-sampling operations. They 

returned to base upon completion of their mission. The sample 

filters were then removed, and the crew members and aircraft were 

decontaminated, as discussed in chapter 3 (39; 40). 

6.2.2 Radiological Safety Activities 

Surveys of the test area were conducted soon after the 

detonation. Figure 6-2 presents a copy of the isointensity map 

generated from the initial survey (49). Radiological safety 

monitors conducted additional surveys three hours and 45 minutes, 

one day, two days, and three days after the detonation. USPHS 

personnel conducted offsite surveys and found gamma intensities 

of 0.002 R/h to 0.006 R/h in areas north of the NTS (47). 

6.3 LUNA 

The LUNA device was detonated at 1200 hours PDT on 21 

September 1958. Sponsored by LASL, LUNA was fired in a 484-foot 

187 
. . . 

. . 

. . 

. 

. . 

. . 

. . 

. . 

. . 

Radiation intensity near 

ground zero was 1 R/h. 

.-..-• 0.1 R/h 0

L-dd? 

Meters . . . . . . . 0.01 R/h 

Figure62: INITIAL SURVEY FOR BERNALILLO, 17 SEPTEMBER 1958, 

MID-TIME 1303 

188 
shaft in Area 3, at UTM coordinates 859005. The device had a 

yield of 0.0015 kiloton. At the time of detonation, winds were 

light and variable (35). 

6.3.1 DOD Participation 

AFSWC personnel conducted cloud sampling using two B-57 

aircraft from Indian Springs AFB. One B-57, with a pilot and a 

LASL scientific advisor, served as the sampler control aircraft. 

The other B-57, with a pilot and a radiological safety monitor, 

was the sampling aircraft. In addition, one L-20 aircraft 

conducted cloud tracking, and a C-47 provided sample courier 

service to Kirtland AFB (39; 40). 

6.3.2 Radiological Safety Activities 

Radiological monitors performed surveys of the shot area 

one-half hour, six hours, and one, two, and three days after the 

detonation. The initial survey found gamma intensities of about 

1 R/h at ground zero. Radiation levels above 0.01 R/h did not 

extend beyond 300 meters from ground zero. The isointensity map 

resulting from the initial survey is available, but it does not 

provide additional information. Offsite monitoring revealed no 

radioactivity above background levels in any offsite area (47; 49). 

6.4 MERCURY 

MERCURY, sponsored by UCRL, was detonated in a tunnel 183 

feet beneath the surface in Area 12 at UTM coordinates 709164. 

Detonation occurred at 1500 hours PDT on 23 September 1958 (35). 

This safety experiment had only a slight yield. Therefore, 

neither cloud-sampling nor cloud-tracking missions were conducted 

(39; 40). 

189 
6.4.1 Radiological Safety Activities 

The initial survey encountered no radioactivity on the surface but detected some alpha contamination in the main tunnel (49). 

REECo radiological safety personnel decontaminated the 

tunnel. The initial team consisted of four men, each equipped 

with an air-supplied respirator and full anticontamination 

clothing. The team spent 25 minutes washing the walls of the 

tunnel with water and taking samples to be assayed for radioactivity. A second decontamination team of two men, one of whom 

had been a member of the initial team, entered the tunnel and 

completed the washdown operation. These men also wore airsupplied respirators and full anticontamination clothing. Alpha 

contamination was still present after these washings, so another 

team entered the tunnel and applied coats of an oil-kerosene 

mixture or paint to the walls, ceiling, and floor of the tunnel. 

The tunnel was then surveyed and declared decontaminated. 

Individuals who participated in the decontamination activities 

were monitored for radioactivity and required to shower and 

change into fresh clothing. Nasal swabs were taken to check for 

possible inhaled alpha contamination (49; 60). 

6.5 VALENCIA 

VALENCIA, a LASL experiment, was detonated with a yield of 

0.002 kiloton at 1300 hours PDT on 26 September 1958. The device 

was fired in a shaft at a depth of 484 feet in Area 3, UTM coordinates 859006. Surface winds were 15 knots from the north (35). 

6.5.1 DOD Participation 

AFSWC personnel performed cloud-sampling, sample courier, 

and cloud-tracking missions. Two B-57 aircraft from Indian 

190 
Springs AFB conducted cloud-sampling activities. One of the 

B-57s, with a pilot and a LASL advisor, acted as the sampler 

control aircraft. The second B-57, with a pilot and a monitor, 

collected samples from the cloud. After completion of the 

mission, they returned to base for sample filter removal and 

decontamination. The samples were loaded in a C-47 sample 

courier aircraft and flown to Kirtland AFB. After the sampling 

was completed, one L-20 aircraft conducted a cloud-tracking 

mission (39; 40). 

6.5.2 Radiological Safety Activities 

The detonation produced a small radioactive cloud that 

drifted in a south-southwesterly direction. Monitors surveyed 

the test area one-half hour, four hours, one day, and two days 

after the detonation. Figure 6-3 shows results of the initial 

survey (49). USPHS personnel surveyed offsite areas to the 

south-southwest of ground zero but found no radioactivity above 

the normal background level (28; 35; 47; 49). 

6.6 MARS 

The MARS device was developed by UCRL and fired at 1700 

hours PDT on 28 September 1958. It was detonated with a yield of 

0.013 kiloton in a tunnel 140 feet below the surface of the mesa 

in Area 12, UTM coordinates 709163 (35). 

6.6.1 DOD Participation 

The only DOD participation at MARS was in one DOD Effects 

Test Group project, Electromagnetic Pulses from Low-yield Bursts. 

Conducted by the Signal Research and Development Laboratories, 

this project was a continuation of similar studies undertaken at 

Operations TEAPOT and PLUMBBOB, which were designed to detect, 

191 
•• ••

••

•• ••

••

••• •••• ••

•• ••

N 

• . Radiation intensity near . . . ground zero was 1 R/h. 

. 

I@/ 

1 

. ‘+. 

. . 

. . 

. . . 

. . . . 

. . 

. .

. . 

. . . . 

• - - 0.1 R/h 

Meters . . . . . . . 0.01 R/h 

Figure 6-3: INITIAL SURVEY FOR VALENCIA, 26 SEPTEMBER 1958. 

MID-TIME 1329 

192 
record, and analyze the electromagnetic pulse emitted from 

nuclear detonations. During the detonation of MARS, project 

personnel were monitoring instruments inside a trailer located on 

the outskirts of Boulder City, Nevada, approximately 160 

kilometers southeast of the NTS (29). 

6.6.2 Radiological Safety Activities 

Radiological surveys revealed both alpha and gamma 

radioactivity in areas outside the tunnel. The initial survey 

also indicated alpha contamination in the main tunnel. 

Decontamination teams removed the contamination using the same 

procedures and techniques as described for the MERCURY tunnel 

decontamination. Figure 6-4 presents a copy of the isointensitg 

map resulting from the initial survey. Additional surveys were 

conducted one and three days after the detonation (49). 

Three individuals worked in the controlled area without 

anticontamination clothing. Alpha contamination, found on the 

hands and clothes of these individuals, was effectively removed 

by decontamination (49; 50). 

Radioactivity dispersed by the detonation did not go 

offsite, and radiation levels above background were not 

encountered in any offsite area. No cloud-sampling activities 

were conducted (49). 

6.7 HIDALGO 

The HIDALGO device, a LASL safety experiment, was carried 

aloft by a balloon to 377 feet above the surface of the desert in 

Area 7, UTM coordinates 868048. The device was detonated with a 

yield of 0.077 kiloton at 0610 hours PST on 5 October 1958. At 

shot-time, surface winds were light. The cloud reached a height 

of 12,000 feet and drifted in a northeasterly direction (35). 

193 
•• ••

•• •• •• •• ••

2 To Top 

of Mesa 

N 

P

\ Portal U12 B 

Top 

of 

Mesa 

Area 12 

Camp 

\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\rn Mesa Edge 

Meters 

.-.-. 

. . . . . . 

1 R/h 

0.1 R/h 

0.01 R/h 

Access Road 

Alpha contamination 

Figure 6-4: INITIAL SURVEY FOR MARS, 26 SEPTEMBER 1966,

MID-TIME 1760 

194 
6.7.1 DOD Participation 

DOD personnel participated in the DOD Effects Test Group 

Project 6.15, Electromagnetic Pulses from Low-yield Bursts, and 

in cloud-sampling, sample courier, and cloud-tracking missions. 

Project 6.15, Electromagnetic Pulses from Low-yield Bursts, 

was conducted by the Signal Research and Development Laboratories. The objective of this project was to detect, record, and 

analyze the electromagnetic pulse radiating from a nuclear 

detonation. During the detonation, project personnel operated 

instruments in a trailer on the outskirts of Boulder City, 

Nevada (29). 

Cloud-sampling activities were conducted by AFSWC personnel 

in two B-57 aircraft from Indian Springs AFB. One B-57, with a 

pilot and a LASL scientific advisor, acted as the sampler control 

aircraft. It directed the second B-57, with a pilot and a radiological safety officer, to various areas of the cloud to collect 

samples. After completing their mission, the aircraft returned 

to base for sample filter removal and for decontamination. The 

samples were loaded onto a C-47 and an H-21. The C-47 took 

samples to Kirtland AFB, and the H-21 transported them to 

Mercury. An L-20, staging from Indian Springs AFB, conducted the 

cloud-tracking mission for this shot (39; 40). 

6.7.2 Radiological Safety Activities 

Monitors conducted radiological surveys of the test area 

three hours, eight hours, one day, two days, and three days 

after the detonation. Figure 6-5 shows results of the initial 

survey (49). 

USPHS personnel surveyed offsite areas to the east of ground 

zero. They encountered gamma radiation but could not determine 

if the radiation was from HIDALGO, COLFAX, or both detonations. 

195 
•• ••

N 

Gamma intensity at 

ground zero was 1 R/h. 

Stake Lines 

• - - 0.1 R/h 

Meters . . . . . . . 0.01 R/h

Figure 6-5: INITIAL SURVEY FOR HIDALGO, 5 OCTOBER 1958, 

MID-TIME 0910 

196 
The personnel found gamma intensities of 0.0002 R/h in areas just 

outside of the NTS to the north and east of the HIDALGO ground 

zero (49). 

6.8 COLFAX 

COLFAX, sponsored by LASL, was detonated with a yield of 

0.0055 kiloton in a 350-foot shaft in Area 3, UTM coordinates 

859005, at 0815 hours PST on 5 October 1958. Shot-time was about 

two hours after the HIDALGO detonation in Area 7. Winds up to 

5,000 feet were light and variable, with ll-knot winds from the 

southwest at 6,000 feet. The cloud formed by the detonation 

reached a height of 5,500 feet and drifted northeast (35). 

6.8.1 DOD Participation 

AFSWC personnel conducted cloud-sampling, sample courier, 

and cloud-tracking missions. Two B-57 aircraft, a sampler 

control with a pilot and a LASL advisor and a sample collector 

with a pilot and a radiological safety monitor, conducted the 

cloud-sampling mission. Afterward, the aircraft landed at Indian 

Springs AFB for sample filter removal and for decontamination. 

Once the filters were removed, the samples were delivered to 

Mercury by a C-47 aircraft and the H-21 that was also used to 

deliver the HIDALGO samples. A C-47 conducted the cloud-tracking 

mission (39; 40). 

6.8.2 Radiological Safety Activities 

Monitors made an initial survey of the area immediately 

around ground zero. Gamma intensities of 1 R/h or more were 

confined to within about 80 meters of ground zero, and radiation 

levels of 0.01 R/h were encountered up to 400 meters from the 

point of detonation. Additional surveys were conducted six 

hours, one day, and two days after the detonation (49). 

197 
USPHS personnel conducted offsite radiological surveys arid 

found radioactivity slightly above background levels to the north 

of ground zero, immediately outside of the NTS (47). 

6.9 NEPTUNE 

NEPTUNE, a UCRL test, was detonated in U12C tunnel 110 feet 

below the surface of the mesa in Area 12, at UTM coordinates 

710164. The detonation occurred with a yield of 0.115 kiloton at 

1000 hours PST on 14 October 1958. The shot vented, and the 

resultant cloud rose to a height of about 4,000 feet above the 

mesa. The cloud traveled west-northwest (35). 

6.9.1 DOD Participation 

DOD personnel participated in the DOD Effects Test Group 

Project 6.15, Electromagnetic Pulses from Low-yield Bursts, and 

in Project 26.7, Structural Response and Permanent Displacement 

Measurements, probably an activity of Headquarters, AFSWP. In 

addition, DOD participants took part in a cloud-tracking mission. 

Project 6.15, Electromagnetic Pulses from Low-yield Bursts, 

was conducted by the Signal Research and Development Laboratories 

to detect, record, and analyze the electromagnetic pulse 

radiating from a nuclear detonation. During the detonation, 

project personnel operated equipment in a trailer near Boulder 

City, Nevada (11; 29). 

Project 26.7, Structural Response and Permanent Displacement 

Measurements, was conducted by the Engineer Research and 

Development Laboratories and the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey. 

The objective was to measure structural response to the 

detonation. For permanent displacement measurements, points were 

selected in the tunnel in which Shot NEPTUNE was detonated. The 

points were chosen to provide coverage at locations of possible 

198 
differential movement and to identify permanent effects of the 

detonation. Surface points were selected to give both overall 

area coverage and specific coverage at locations where differential movement appeared probable (53). 

Cloud-sampling aircraft did not participate at NEPTUNE. One 

L-20 aircraft was used for cloud tracking (39; 40). 

6.9.2 Radiological Safety Activities 

A monitoring party of ten men drove to the tunnel area in 

six vehicles and conducted a radiological survey of areas outside 

the tunnel portal and on top of the mesa. The gamma intensity 

near the venting point was about 1,200 R/h one hour after the 

detonation. A radiation level of 0.1 R/h was registered from 300 

to 700 meters northeast, southeast, and southwest of the venting 

site. A level of 0.01 R/h was detected out to 1,000 meters in 

the same directions from the venting site. To the northwest, on 

top of the mesa, the 0.1 R/h line extended beyond 2,000 meters. 

Figure 6-6 shows the results of this survey (49). Offsite 

monitoring, conducted by USPHS personnel, found no radioactivity 

in areas outside the NTS (47; 49). 

6.10 VESTA 

At 1500 hours PST on 17 October 1958, Shot VESTA, sponsored 

by UCRL, was detonated on the surface in a wooden shed covered 

with 20 feet of gravel. Ground zero was at UTM coordinates 

857087, Area 9. The yield was 0.024 kiloton. At the time of 

detonation, the winds were five knots from the south. The cloud 

rose to 10,000 feet and moved north (35). 

199 
To Top 

Area 12 

Camp 

Access Road 

Mesa Edge 0 500 

7.B.-. 0.1 R/h

1 I . ..* . . . . . . . . Meters 0.01 R/h 

Figure 6-6: INITIAL SURVEY FOR NEPTUNE, 14 OCTOBER 1966, 

ABOUT 90 MINUTES AFTER DETONATION 

200 
6.10.1 DOD Participation 

The DOD Effects Test Group conducted Project 6.15, Electromagnetic Pulses from Low-yield Bursts, and AFSWC performed cloudsampling and cloud-tracking missions. 

Project 6.15, Electromagnetic Pulses from Low-yield Bursts, 

was conducted by the Signal Research and Development Laboratories 

to detect, record, and analyze the electromagnetic pulse 

radiating from a nuclear detonation. During the detonation, 

project personnel remained in an instrumented trailer about 160 

kilometers southeast of the NTS on the outskirts of Boulder City, 

Nevada (29). 

AFSWC provided two B-57 aircraft to conduct the cloudsampling operation at VESTA. In addition, it provided a single 

L-20 aircraft from Indian Springs AFB for cloud tracking 

(39; 40). 

6.10.2 Radiological Safety Activities 

A survey team of eight monitors in six vehicles conducted 

radiological surveys of the test area 90 minutes after the 

detonation. Figure 6-7 shows the gamma radiation results of the 

initial survey. The monitoring team conducted additional surveys 

one day and two days later (49). Offsite monitoring in areas 

north of ground zero found 0.0004 R/h of gamma radioactivity 

around Groom Lake, Nevada (47). 

6.11 SAN JUAN 

SAN JUAN, a LASL device, was detonated in a shaft at a depth 

of 234 feet in Area 3, UTM coordinates 861008, at 0630 hours PST 

on 20 October 1958. The detonation did not produce a measurable 

nuclear yield. No visible venting occurred, and no cloud was 

produced (17; 35). 

201 
•• ••

, 

. . 

. . 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. . 

. 

\ 

. . 

. 

\ . . . 

. . 

Stake Lines 

1 R/h 

odm • - - 0.1 R/h

Meters . . . . . . . 0.01 R/h 

Figure 6-7: INITIAL SURVEY FOR VESTA, 17 OCTOBER 1966, 

MID-TIME 1633 

202 
6.11.1 DOD Participation 

No documented DOD participation took place at SAN JUAN. Two 

B-57 cloud-sampling aircraft and one L-20 cloud tracker were 

scheduled to participate but were not needed since no cloud was 

produced (39; 40). 

6.11.2 Radiological Safety Activities 

A survey party of nine monitors in six vehicles entered the 

test area about six hours after the detonation and conducted the 

radiological survey. The monitors did not encounter gamma 

radioactivity, but they did find alpha contamination in the 

immediate vicinity of the shaft opening. The USPHS monitoring 

teams did not encounter radioactivity offsite (47; 49). 

6.12 OBERON 

OBERON, sponsored by UCRL, was detonated on a 25-foot tower 

in Area 8 at UTM coordinates 826154. It was fired at 1230 hours 

PST on 22 October 1958. Three weapons-related detonations also 

occurred the same day, two before and one after OBERON. The four 

events of the day occurred two and one-half to three and one-half 

hours apart. The OBERON device produced no measurable nuclear 

yield. However, the detonation generated a small cloud of debris 

that rose to 6,000 feet and drifted to the north (35). 

6.12.1 DOD Participation 

DOD participation was limited to cloud-sampling and cloudtracking missions by AFSWC personnel. One B-57 cloud-sampling 

aircraft and one L-20 cloud tracker, both staging from Indian 

Springs AFB, participated in air operations. Upon completion of 

their missions, the aircraft returned to base (39; 40). 

203 
6.12.2 Radiological Safety Activities 

A survey party of nine monitors in six vehicles entered the 

shot area shortly after the detonation and conducted a 

radiological survey. The monitors encountered no gamma 

radioactivity but found alpha contamination in the vicinity of 

ground zero and to the northwest (6; 49). 

Monitoring of offsite areas on 22 October 1958 revealed 

gamma radioactivity in areas north of the NTS. However, the 

USPHS monitors determined that the radioactivity was from Shot 

SOCORRO, a weapons-related detonation earlier on that day, and 

not from OBERON (47). 

6.13 CATRON 

CATRON was a LASL device detonated on a 72.5-foot tower in 

Area 3, UTM coordinates 866999. It was fired with a yield of 

0.021 kiloton at 0700 hours PST on 24 October 1958. The CATRON 

cloud rose to a height of 3,500 feet above the ground and drifted 

in a southwesterly direction (35). 

6.13.1 DOD Participation 

AFSWC conducted cloud-sampling, sample courier, and cloudtracking missions. Two B-57 aircraft from Indian Springs AFB 

conducted cloud sampling. After the B-57s completed the mission 

and landed at Indian Springs AFB, filter samples were removed, 

and aircraft and crew were decontaminated. The samples were 

placed in a C-47 aircraft for delivery to Kirtland AFB. One L-20 

aircraft staging from Indian Springs AFB performed a cloudtracking mission and then returned to base for debriefing and 

decontamination (39; 40). 

204 
6.13.2 Radiological Safety Activities 

Shortly after the detonation, a survey party conducted the 

radiological survey. Figure 6-8 shows results of the initial 

ground survey. Additional surveys were performed seven hours, 

one day, and two days later (49). 

USPHS personnel who conducted offsite radiological surveys 

encountered low levels of gamma radiation in areas southwest of 

ground zero. A gamma intensity of 0.001 R/h was registered near 

Beatty, Nevada (47). 

6.14 JUNO 

JUNO, the second safety experiment on 24 October 1958, was 

detonated with a yield of 0.0017 kiloton at 0801 hours PST, one 

hour after the CATRON detonation. JUNO was detonated in a wooden 

building covered with 20 feet of gravel in Area 9, UTM coordinates 855088. The cloud, which reached 1,300 feet above the 

ground, traveled south before turning west (35). 

6.14.1 DOD Participation 

AFSWC conducted cloud-sampling, sample courier, and cloudtracking missions. One B-57 aircraft from Indian Springs AFB 

performed the cloud sampling. After the aircraft returned to the 

base, the filter samples were removed and placed in a C-47 for 

delivery to Alameda Naval Air Station. An L-20 aircraft, staging 

from Indian Springs AFB, conducted cloud tracking (39; 40). 

6.14.2 Radiological Safety Activities 

A survey party of ten monitors in six vehicles conducted the 

radiological surveys of the test area. Figure 6-9 indicates the 

205 
••

N 

. 

. 

-

. 

. 

. . . 

. 

. 

. 

/ . 

/’ ••’ 

. 

. 

. 

1 R/h 

. - • - 0.1 R/h 

. . . . . . . Meters 0.01 R/h 

Figure 6-8: INITIAL SURVEY FOR CATRON, 24 OCTOBER 1968, 

MID-TIME 0729 

206 
•• ••

•• ••

••

N 

. •

. 

. 

f 

. 

. . . 0 .

\ 

. 

. 

.

. I I . . 

I . Gamma intensity near 

ground zero was 1 R/h. . . 

. . I . 

. . . 

. I . 

. . I . 

0 1000 

I . I - • - • 0.1 R/h 

Meters . . . . . . . 0.01 R/h 

Figure 6-S: INITIAL SURVEY FOR JUNO, 24 OCTOBER 1958,

MID-TIME 0667 

207 
gamma radiation encountered during the initial ground survey 

(49). Extensive alpha contamination occurred, generally 

extending the width of the 0.1 R/h contour lines and more than 

two kilometers to the south. The monitoring teams conducted 

additional surveys seven hours, one day, and two days after the 

detonation (49). 

The offsite monitoring teams were unable to distinguish 

between offsite radiation produced by JUNO and that produced by 

CATRON because of the brief time between the tests and because of 

the identical wind conditions. Section 6.13.2, on monitoring at 

CATRON, describes the offsite radiological results (47). 

6.15 CERES 

UCRL detonated the CERES device at 2000 hours PST on 26 

October 1958. It was detonated on a 25-foot tower in Area 8, UTM 

coordinates 826152, The detonation, which had a yield of 0.0007 

kiloton, produced a small cloud that rose to 1,470 feet above the 

ground and drifted in a northerly direction. There was no DOD 

participation at this shot (35). 

6.15.1 Radiological Safety Activities 

Shortly after the detonation, a survey team of ten monitors 

in six vehicles conducted a radiological survey of the shot area. 

The initial survey indicated gamma intensities of 1 R/h or more 

confined to within 40 meters of ground zero. Radiation levels of 

0.1 R/h or more were limited to about 470 meters from ground 

zero, and levels of 0.01 R/h extended more than 900 meters north 

of ground zero. A survey conducted 15 hours later showed all 

radioactivity above 0.01 R/h confined to within 145 meters of 

ground zero (18; 49). Offsite monitoring teams reported no 

offsite radioactivity (18; 47). 

208 
6.16 CHAVEZ 

CHAVEZ was a LASL device detonated at 0630 hours PST on 27 

October 1958. The device, which had a yield of 0.0006 kiloton, 

was detonated on a tower 52.5 feet above the ground in Area 3, 

UTM coordinates 862001. The cloud reached 2,500 feet above 

ground and drifted in a southerly direction (35). 

6.16.1 DOD Participation 

AFSWC personnel conducted cloud-sampling, sample courier, 

and cloud-tracking missions. Two B-57 aircraft performed the 

cloud sampling. After the filter samples were removed at Indian 

Springs AFB, they were loaded in a C-47 and taken to Kirtland AFB 

for LASL. A single L-20 aircraft conducted the cloud-tracking 

operation (39; 40). 

6.16.2 Radiological Safety Activities 

A survey team of ten monitors in eight vehicles conducted 

radiological surveys of the shot area. Figure 6-10 shows results 

of the initial survey. Additional surveys were conducted eight 

hours and one day after the detonation (23; 49). 

USPHS personnel conducted offsite monitoring in the area 

around Lathrop Wells, Nevada. They encountered 0.0003 R/h of 

gamma radiation (47). 

6.17 GANYMEDE 

The UCRL GANYMEDE device was detonated at 0300 hours PST on 

30 October 1958. It was fired on the surface in a wooden 

building covered with 20 feet of gravel in Area 9, UTM 

coordinates 846090. The detonation produced no measurable yield 

and no cloud. One other safety experiment, TITANIA, and two 

209 
•• ••

N 

. 

. 

. 

’ 1.1 

. 

. 

. 

Gamma 

ground 

intensity 

zero was 

near 

1 R/h. 

. . 

. . 

. 

. •

. . 

. 

’ . 

. 

. 

• - - 0.1 R/h 

Meters .*..... 0.01 R/h 

Figure 6-10: INITIAL SURVEY FOR CHAVEZ, 27 OCTOBER 1956, 

MID-TIME 0659 

210 
weapons-related shots, BLANCA and SANTA FE, were also detonated 

on this day. There was no DOD participation for GANYMEDE (35). 

6.17.1 Radiological Safety Activities 

A survey team of nine men in six vehicles entered the test 

area and conducted a radiological ground survey. Negligihle 

gamma radiation was found. The team, however, encountered alpha 

contamination in the immediate vicinity of ground zero (26; 49). 

6.18 TITANIA 

Sponsored by UCRL, TITANIA was detonated on a 25-foot tower 

in Area 8, UTM coordinates 826148, at 1234 hours PST on 30 

October 1958. GANYMEDE and two weapons-related detonations also 

occurred that day. The yield of TITANIA was 0.0002 kiloton. The 

cloud rose to a height of 1,600 feet above the ground and drifted 

to the southwest (27). 

6.18.1 DOD Participation 

Five AFSWC aircraft conducted missions for TITANIA. Two 

B-57 aircraft from Indian Springs AFB conducted cloud-sampling 

operations. One L-20 from Indian Springs AFB performed the 

cloud-tracking mission, while another L-20 flew a photography 

mission. A Bonanza aircraft from Indian Springs AFB carried 

observers witnessing the detonation. It is probable that the 

L-20 conducting the photography mission and the Bonanza 

conducting the observer mission were also used for the same 

purpose during Shot BLANCA, a weapons-related detonation also 

conducted on 30 October. After completion of their missions, the 

crew and the aircraft returned to base for debriefing and 

decontamination. 

211 
6.18.2 Radiological Safety Activities 

A party of ten monitors in eight vehicles conducted a 

radiological survey of the shot area. Gamma intensities of 

10 R/h were measured 15 meters from ground zero, 1 R/h 23 meters 

from ground zero, and 0.1 R/h 90 meters from ground zero. The 

0.01 R/h line extended out to about 290 meters from ground zero. 

The area was resurveyed six hours and 22 hours after the detonation. Monitoring teams found no radioactivity in offsite areas 

(47; 49). 

212 
HARDTACK II REFERENCE LIST 

The following list of references represents 

only the documents cited in the HARDTACK II 

volume. When a WT document is followed by 

an EX, the latest version has been cited. 

The name of the Armed Forces Special Weapons 

Project (AFSWP) was changed to Defense 

Atomic Support Agency (DASA) on May 6, 1959. 

The AFSWP project reports were published 

after May 6. 

213 
AVAILABILITY INFORMATION 

An availability statement has been included at the end of 

the reference citation for those readers who wish to read or 

obtain copies of source documents. Availability statements were 

correct at the time the bibliography was prepared. It is 

anticipated that many of the documents marked unavailable may 

become available during the declassification review process. The 

Coordination and Information Center (CIC) and the National 

Technical Information Service (NTIS) will be provided future 

DNA-WT documents bearing an EX after the report number. 

Source documents bearing an availability statement of CIC 

may be reviewed at the following address: 

Department of Energy 

Coordination and Information Center 

(Operated by Reynolds Electrical 8 Engineering Co., Inc.)

ATTN: Mr. Richard V. Nutley 

2753 S. Highland 

P.O. Box 14100 Phone: (7021 ;;;-;;;; 

Las Vegas, Nevada 89114 FTS: 

Source documents bearing an availability statement of NTIS 

may be purchased from the National Technical Information Service. 

When ordering by mail or phone, please include both the price 

code and the NTIS number. The price code appears in parentheses 

before the NTIS order number. 

National Technical Information Service 

5285 Port Royal Road Phone: (703) 487-4650 

Springfield, Virginia 22161 (Sales Office) 

Additional ordering information or assistance may be obtained by 

writing to the NTIS, Attention: Customer Service, or by calling 

(703) 487-4660. 

214 
HARDTACK II REFERENCES 

1. 79th Congress of the United States, 2nd Session. Public 

Law 585: Atomic Energy Act of 1946. Washington, 

D.C.: GPO. August 1946. 24 Pages. 

2. 83rd Congress of the United States, 2nd Session. Public 

Law 703: Atomic Energy Act of 1954. Washington, 

D.C.: GPO. August 1954. 16 Pages. 

3. 1352d Motion Picture Squadron Historical Office. Extracts 

from "History of the 1352d Motion Picture Squadron 

Lookout Mountain Air Force Station, 1 July 

1958--December 1958. Air Force, Military Air 

Transport Service. Los Angeles, CA.: [Lookout 

Mountain Laboratory.] 1 February 1959. 5 Pages.** 

4. Anthony, M. V. "Ground Motion Measurements, Operation 

HARDTACK, Phase II, Project 26.3." Army Engineer 

Research and Development Laboratories. Albuquerque, 

NM.: DASA. ITR-1704. December 1959. 

22 Pages.*** 

5. Armed Forces Special Weapons Project, Field Command, DCS for 

Weapons Effects Tests. Technical Summary of Military 

Effects, Programs 1-9 (U). Albuquerque, NM.: Field 

Command, DASA. ITR-1660. September 1959. 

457 Pages.*** 

6. Atomic Energy Commission, Nevada Test Site Organization, 

Office of the Test Manager. Annex to the Deputy Test 

Manager's Operation Plan, Special Instructions, 

OBERON. Mercury, NV.: NTSO. October 21, 1958. 

5 Pages.** 

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Office of the Test Manager. Annex I’M” to the Deputy 

Test Manager's Operation Plan, Special Instructions, 

WRANGELL. Mercury, NV.: NTSO. October 17, 1958. 

7 Pages.** 

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Office of the Test Manager. Annex "0" to the Deputy 

Test Manager's Operation Plan, Special Instructions, 

QUAY. Mercury, NV.: NTSO. October 8, 1958. 

7 Pages.** 

*Available from NTIS; order number appears before the asterisk. 

**Available at CIC. 

***Not available, see Availability Information page. 

 Requests subject to Privacy Act restrictions. 

215 
9. 

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14. 

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16. 

Atomic Energy Commission, Nevada Test Site Organization, 

Office of the Test Manager. Annex "P" to the Deputy 

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HAMILTON. Mercury, NV.: NTSO. October 10, 1958. 

15 Pages.**  

Atomic Energy Commission, Nevada Test Site Organization, 

Office of the Test Manager. Annex "9" to the Deputy 

Test Manager's Operation Plan, Special Instructions, 

LEA. Mercury, NV.: NTSO. October 10, 1958. 

9 Pages.** 

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Office of the Test Manager. Annex "R" to the Deputy 

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4 Pages.** 

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Atomic Energy Commission, Nevada Test Site Organization, 

Office of the Test Manager. Annex "W" to the Deputy 

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*Available from NTIS; order number appears before the asterisk. 

**Available at CIC. 

***Not available, see Availability Information page. 

 Requests subject to Privacy Act restrictions. 

216 
17. 

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Atomic Energy Commission, Nevada Test Site Organization, 

Office of the Test Manager. Annex "Y" to the Deputy 

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SAN JUAN. Mercury, NV.: NTSO. October 19, 1958. 

6 Pages.**  

Atomic Energy Commission, Nevada Test Site Organization, 

Office of the Test Manager. Annex "AD" to the Deputy 

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CERES. Mercury, NV.: NTSO. October 25, 1958. 

6 Pages.** 

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7 Pages.** 

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6 Pages.** 

Atomic Energy Commission, Nevada Test Site Organization, 

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Test Manager's Operation Plan, Special Instructions, 

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*Available from NTIS; order number appears before the asterisk. 

**Available at CIC. 

***Not available, see Availability Information page. 

 Requests subject to Privacy Act restrictions. 

217 
25. 

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Atomic Energy Commission, Nevada Test Site Organization, 

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Atomic Energy Commission, Nevada Test Site Organization, 

Office of the Test Manager. Annex "AM" to the Deputy 

Test Manager's Operation Plan, Special Instructions, 

GANYMEDE. Mercury, NV.: NTSO. October 27, 1958. 

5 Pages.** 

Atomic Energy Commission, Nevada Test Site Organization, 

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Atomic Energy Commission, Albuquerque Operations Office, 

Office of Test Operations. Report of the Test 

Manager, Operation HARDTACK, Phase II (U). 

Albuquerque, NM.: Albuquerque Operations Office. 

OTO-58-4. 1958. 188 Pages.*** 

Cantor, G.; Farnochi, A. "Electromagnetic Pulses from 

Low-Yield Bursts, Project 6.15 (U)." [Army] Signal 

Research and Development Laboratory. Albuquerque, 

NM.: Field Command, DASA. WT-1662. August 1960. 

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Defense Nuclear Agency. Personnel Exposed to Radiation from 

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D. C.: DNA. December 1982. HDNA 609-03.  

Department of the Army. Army Regulation 40-414: Medical 

Service; Non-Combat Personnel Dosimetry. 26 November 

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Divine, Robert A. Blowing on the Wind; the Nuclear Test 

Ban Debate. Oxford University Press, NY. 1978. 

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(Ret.), Former Air Operations Officer, 4925th Test 

Group, Subject: CONUS Tests. McLean, VA. April 

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 Requests subject to Privacy Act restrictions. 

218 
34. Gerster, Max. The Special Weapons Center and Atomic 

Testing. Kirtland AFB, NM.: AFSWC. 

K242.01-K242.04. January 1957. 305 Pages.** * 

35. General Electric Company-TEMPO. Computation of Local 

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D. C.: DNA 1251-l-EX. 1979. 619 Pages. 

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36. Griesmer, D. R., Capt., USAF; Burson, A. Cr., lLt., USAF; 

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Induced Activity from Very-Low-Yield Bursts, Pro.ject 

2.13 (U)." Air Force Special Weapons Center. 

Albuquerque, NM.: Field Command, DASA. WT-1681. 

October 1958. 48 Pages.*** 

37. Harris, P. S.; Lowery, C; Nelson, A.; et al. PLUMBBOB 

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38. Hatlem, J. C., Lt. Col., USAF. Special Weapons Command 

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1951. 139_Pages.*** 

39. Headquarters, 4950th Test Group (Nuclear). Operation Order 

40-58. w/Amendment Number 1. Air Force Special 

Weapons Center. Kirtland AFB, NM.: Hqs., 4950th 

Test Group (Nuclear). SWCBC217507. 8 September 

1958. 50 Pages.** 

40. Headquarters, 4950th Test Group (Nuclear). Final Report: 

Operation HARDTACK, Phase II. Air Force Special 

Weapons Center. Kirtland AFB, NM.: Hqs., 4950th 

Test Group (Nuclear). swc9c29003/4. 1958. 

92 Pages.*** 

41. Holmes and Narver. Inc. AEC Facilities Division. 

Operation HARDTACK, Phase II. [Los Angeles, CA.:] 

Holmes and Narver, Inc. N-4-59. July 1959. 

102 Pages.*** 

42. Lamont, Lansing. Day of TRINITY. New York, NY.: 

Atheneum. 1965. 381 Pages. 

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**Available at CIC. 

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43. Mahoney, J. J.; Maloney, J. C.; Furrow, S. D. "Thermal 

Radiation from Very-Low-Yield Bursts, Projects 

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Albuquerque, NM.: Field Command, DASA. WT-1676. 

June 1960. 34 Pages.** * 

44. Maloney, J. C.; Morgenthau, M. "Gamma Dose from 

Very-Low-Yield Bursts, Projects 2.9/2.12b (U)." 

[Army] Chemical Warfare Laboratories. Albuquerque, 

NM.: Field Command, DASA. WT-1677. August 1960. 

34 Pages.*** 

45. Meszaros, J. J.; Reisler, R. E.; Wise, R. C. Airblast 

Phenomena and Instrumentation of Structures, Project 

1.7 (U). [Army] Ballistic Research Laboratories. 

Albuquerque, NM.: Field Command, DASA. WT-1612. 

July 1962. 378 Pages.*** 

46. Moncrief, W. H., Jr., LTC., USA; Dacquisto, M. P., MAJ., 

USA; Fitzpatrick, J., MAJ., USA; et al. Effects of 

Very-Low-Yield Bursts on Biological Specimens (Swine 

and Mice), Project 4.2 (U). Walter Reed Army 

Institute of Research. Albuquerque, NM.: Field 

Command, DASA. WT-1663. September 1961. 

94 Pages.*** 

47. Placak, 0. R.; Seal, M. S.; McBride, J. R., et al. 

Off-Site Radiological Safety Report. Reynolds 

Electrical and Engineering Co., Inc.; and Atomic 

Energy Commission. Oak Ridge, TN.: AEC, Technical 

Information Service. OTO-58-6. 1959. 223 Pages. 

(AlO) AD/A076 368.* 

48. Reed, J. W., lLt., USAF; Gavin, H. P.; Cahill, J. P.; et al. 

Thermal Radiation from Low-Yield Nuclear Bursts, 

Project 8.8 (U). Air Force Cambridge Research 

Laboratories. Albuquerque, NM.: Field Command, 

DASA. WT-1675. January 1962. 108 Pages.*** 

49. Reynolds Electrical and Engineering Company. On-Site 

Radiological Safety Report, Operation HARDTACK II,. 

Phase II. Atomic Energy Commission. Las Vegas, 

NV.: REECo. 01‘0-58-5. 1958. 133 Pages.*** 

*Available from NTIS; order number appears before the asterisk. 

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220 
50. Reynolds Electrical and Engineering Company. Memoranda, 

Subject: Shot MARS Decontamination Activities, 24 

September-- 3 October 1958. Reynolds Electrical and 

Engineering Company. Las Vegas, NV. 1958. 

4 Pages.** ** 

51. Rigotti, D. L.; Kinch, J. W.; McNeilly, J. H.; et al. 

Neutron Flux from Very-Low-Yield Bursts, Projects 

2.4a/1.11/2.12a (U). [Army] Chemical Warfare 

Laboratories. Albuquerque, NM.: Field Command, 

DASA. WT-1679. August 1960. 76 Pages.*** 

52. Scarborough, G. H., MAJ., USA; Van Sant, J. S. "Proof Test 

of AN/TVS-l (XE-3) Flash-Ranging Equipment, Project 

6.14." Army Artillery Board, and [Army] Signal

Research and Development Laboratory. Albuquerque, 

NM.: Field Command, DASA. WT-1661. January 1961. 

16 Pages.*** 

53. Sievers, Ralph E., CPT, USA. Structural Response and 

Permanent Displacement Measurements, Project 26.7. 

Army Engineer Research and Development Laboratories. 

Albuquerque, NM.: DASA. WT-1708. December 1960. 

218 Pages. (AlO) AD 607 830.* 

54. Strauss, Lewis L., Chairman, Atomic Energy Commission. 

Letter to General Herbert Loper, Assistant to the 

Secretary of Defense for Atomic Energy. Washington, 

D.C. November 24, 1954. 2 Pages.*** 

55. Swift, L. M.; Wells, W. M. "Postshot Disturbances and 

Surface Motions --Operation HARDTACK II, Project 26.1." 

Lawrence Radiation Laboratory. Menlo Park, CA.: 

Stanford Research Institute. SRI-2657-TR-1. May

1959. 31 Pages.*** 

56. Taylor, L. B. History of the Air Force Atomic Cloud 

Sampling, Volume 1: "Narrative," Volume 2: 

"Appendix." Kirtland, AFB, NM.: AFSWC. 

January 1963. 330 Pages. K242.04-8.*** 

*Available from NTIS; order number appears before the asterisk. 

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221 
57. U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Public Affairs; with 

Los Alamos National Laboratory; Lawrence Livermore 

National Laboratory; and Sandia National Laboratory. 

"Announced United States Nuclear Tests, July 1945 

through December 1981." [Las Vegas, NV.: 

DOE/Nevada Operations Office.] NVO-209 (Rev. 2). 

January 1982. 68 Pages.**  

58. Verheul, R. H., COL., USA; Lowry, Austin, COL., USA; 

Browning, L. E., LTC., USA. "Effect of Light from 

Very-Low-Yield Nuclear Detonations on Vision (Dazzle) 

of Combat Personnel, Project 4.3 (U)." Headquarters, 

Continental Army Command. Albuquerque, NM.: Field 

Command, DASA. WT-1664. April 1960. 40 Pages.*** 

59. Wilcox, Floyd W. Memorandum for Files, Subject: U12b 

Accident. Reynolds Electrical and Engineering 

Company. Las Vegas, NV. October 30, 1958. 

2 Pages.** 

60. Wilcox, Floyd W. Memorandum for W. S. Johnson, Subject: 

Decontamination of Tunnel U12f. Reynold's Electrical 

and Engineering Company. Las Vegas, NV. 

September 27, 1958. 4 Pages.** 

61. Wilsey, E. F.; McNeilly, J. H.; Spitznas, R. J. "Soil 

Activation by Neutrons from a Very-Low-Yield Burst, 

Project 2.12c (U)." [Army] Chemical Warfare 

Laboratories. Albuquerque, NM.: Field Command, 

DASA. WT-1680. July 1960. 34 Pages.*** 

62. York, Herbert F. (Compiler). Arms Control: Readings 

from Scientific American. San Francisco, CA.: W. H. 

Freeman 8 Co. 1973. 427 Pages. 

63. Armed Forces Special Weapons Project, Field Command, 

ODCS/WET. "Operational Summary: Operation 

PLUMBBOB." Albuquerque, NM.: DASA, Field Command. 

WT-1444. February 1960. 73 Pages. AD/B951 751.* 

64. Reynolds Electrical and Engineering Company. [Personnel 

Gamma Radiation Exposure Report, HARDTACK II.] 

Mercury, NV.: REECo. 1958. Microfilm.**** 

*Available from NTIS; order number appears before the asterisk. 

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Georgia Southwestern College 

ATTN: Director of Libraries 

Georgia State Univ Lib 

ATTN: Librarian 

University of Georgia

ATTN: Dir of Libraries 

Glassboro State College

ATTN: Librarian 

Gleeson Library

ATTN: Librarian 

OTHER (Continued) 

Government Publications Library-M 

ATTN: Director of Libraries 

Graceland College 

ATTN: Librarian 

Grand Forks Public City-County Library 

ATTN: Librarian 

Grand Rapids Public Library 

ATTN: Director of Libraries 

Greenville County Library 

ATTN: Librarian 

Guam RFK Memorial University Lib 

ATTN: Fed Depository Collection 

University of Guam 

ATTN: Librarian 

Gustavus Adolphus College 

ATTN: Library 

Hardin-Simmons University Library 

ATTN: Librarian 

Hartford Public Library 

ATTN: Librarian 

Harvard College Library 

ATTN: Director of Libraries 

Harvard College Library 

ATTN: Librarian 

University of Hawaii 

ATTN: Government Dots Collection 

Hawaii State Library 

ATTN: Federal Documents Unit 

University of Hawaii at Monoa 

ATTN: Director of Libraries 

University of Hawaii 

ATTN: Librarian 

Haydon Burns Library 

ATTN: Librarian 

Henry Ford Comm College Lib 

ATTN: Librarian 

Herbert H. Lehman College 

ATTN: Library Documents Division 

Hofstra Univ Library 

ATTN: Documents Dept 

Hollins College 

ATTN: Librarian 

Hoover Institution 

ATTN: J. Bingham 

231 
OTHER (Continued) 

Hookinsville Comm College 

ATTN: Librarian 

University of Houston, Library 

ATTN: Documents Div 

Houston Public Library 

ATTN: Librarian 

Hoyt Public Library

ATTN: Librarian 

Humboldt State College Library 

ATTN: Documents Dept 

Huntington Park Library 

ATTN: Librarian 

Hutchinson Public Library 

ATTN: Librarian 

Idaho Public Lib & Info Center 

ATTN: Librarian 

Idaho State Library 

ATTN: Librarian 

Idaho State University Library 

ATTN: Documents Dept 

University of Idaho 

ATTN: Documents Sect 

ATTN: Dir of Libraries 

University of Illinois, Library 

ATTN: Documents Section 

IllinoiqT;tate Library 

: Government Documents Branch 

Illinois Univ at Urbana Champaign 

ATTN: P. Watson, Documents Library 

Illinois Valley Comm Co11 

ATTN: Library 

Indiana State Library 

ATTN: Serial Section 

Indiana State University 

ATTN: Documents Libraries 

Indiana University Library 

ATTN: Documents Department 

Indianapolis Marion Cty Pub Library 

ATTN: Social Science Div 

Iowa State University Library 

ATTN: Govt Documents Dept 

Iowa University Library

ATTN: Government Documents Dept 

OTHER (Continued) 

Butler University, Irwin Library

ATTN: Librarian 

Isaac Delchdo College

ATTN: Librarian 

James Madison University

ATTN: Librarian 

Jefferson County Public Lib 

ATTN: Librarian 

Jersey City State College 

ATTN: Librarian 

Johns Hopkins University

ATTN: Documents Library 

John J. Wright Library, La Roche College

ATTN: Librarian 

Johnson Free Public Lib 

ATTN: Librarian 

Kahului Library 

ATTN: Librarian 

Kalamazoo Public Library

ATTN: Librarian 

Kansas City Public Library 

ATTN: Documents Div 

Kansas State Library 

ATTN: Librarian 

Kansas State Univ Library

ATTN: Documents Dept 

University of Kansas 

ATTN: Director of Libraries 

Kent State University Library 

ATTN: Documents Div 

Kentucky Dept of Library & Archives 

ATTN: Documents Section 

University of Kentucky

ATTN: Governments Publication Dept 

ATTN: Director of Libraries 

Kenyon College Library 

ATTN: Librarian 

Lake Forest College

ATTN: Librarian 

Lake Sumter Comm Co11 Lib 

ATTN: Librarian 

Lakeland Public Library 

ATTN: Librarian 

232 
OTHER (Continued) 

Lancaster Regional Library

ATTN: Librarian 

Lawrence University

ATTN: Documents Dept 

Lee Library, Brigham Young University

ATTN: Documents & Map Section 

Library & Statutory Distribution & Svc 

2 cy ATTN: Librarian 

LittleA;;;k Public Library 

: Librarian 

Long Beach Pub1 Library

ATTN: Librarian 

Lo! Angeles Public Library

ATTN: Serials Div U.S. Documents 

Louisiana State University

ATTN: Government Dot Dept 

ATTN: Director of Libraries 

Louisville Free Pub Lib 

ATTN: Librarian 

Louisvd+:; Univ Library 

: Librarian 

Lyndon B. Johnson Sch of Pub Affairs Lib 

ATTN: Librarian 

Maine Maritime Academy

ATTN: Librarian 

Maine University at Oreno 

ATTN: Librarian 

University of Maine 

ATTN: Librarian 

Manche;;;; City Library 

: Librarian 

Mankato State College

ATTN: Govt Publications 

Mantor Library

Univ of Maine at Farmington 

ATTN: Director of Libraries 

Marathon County Public Library

ATTN: Librarian 

Marshall Brooks Library 

ATTN: Librarian 

University of Maryland 

ATTN: McKeldin Libr Dots Div 

University of Maryland

ATTN: Librarian 

OTHER (Continued) 

University of Massachusetts 

ATTN: Government Dots College 

McNeese State Univ 

ATTN: Librarian 

Memphis Shelby County Pub Lib & Info Ctr 

ATTN: Librarian 

Memphis State University

ATTN: Librarian 

Mercer University

ATTN: Librarian 

Mesa County Public Library 

ATTN: Librarian 

University of Miami, Library 

ATTN: Government Publications 

Miami Public Library 

ATTN: Documents Division 

Miami Univ Library 

ATTN: Documents Dept 

Michel Orradre Library 

University of Santa Clara 

ATTN: Documents Div 

Michigan State Library 

ATTN: Librarian 

Michigan State University Library 

ATTN: Librarian 

Michigan Tech University 

ATTN: Library Documents Dept 

University of Michigan 

ATTN: Acq Set Documents Unit 

Middlebury College Library 

ATTN: Librarian 

Millersville State Co11 

ATTN: Librarian 

Milne Library 

State University of New York 

ATTN: Dots Librn 

Milwaukee Pub Lib 

ATTN: Librarian 

Minneapolis Public Lib 

ATTN: Librarian 

Minnesota Div of Emergency Svcs 

ATTN: Librarian 

Minot State College 

ATTN: Librarian 

Mississippi State University 

ATTN: Librarian 

233