Operation Castle, the Operation Plan No. 1-53, Task Group 7.1 (Delted)

Page 1

THE OPERATION PLAN NO. 1-53 This is an extract of OPERATION CASTLE, THE OPERATION PLAN NO. l-53, TASK GROUP 7.1, which remains classified SECRET/ RESTRICTED DATA as of this date. Extract version prepared for: DEFENSE NUCLEAR AGENCY Approved for public release;

Page 2

Approved for public release; unlimited distribution. This report has had the classified informationremoved and has been republished in unclassifiedform for public release. This work was performed by Kaman Tempo under contract DNAOOl-83-C-0286wih the close cooperation of the ClasSifiCatiOn Management Division of the Defense Nuclear Agency. Overseas experimentationdepends upon progress of construction,reliabilityof instrumentationand the overcomingof obstacles presented by local conditions. This Operation Plan is intended to be used as a guide for TG 7.1 personnel since it represents a record of agreements arrived-at prior to its compilation. Do EDITION Ot I NOW AS IS OWOLttL UNCLASSIFIED

Page 3

This report has had classified material removed in order to make the information available on an unclassified, open publication basis, to any interested parties. This effort to declassify this report has been accomplished specifically to support the Department of Defense Nuclear Test Personnel Review (NTPR) Program. The objective is to facilitate studies of the low levels of radiation received by some individuals during the atmospheric nuclear test program by making as much information as possible available to all interested parties., The material which has been deleted is all currently classified as Restrioted Data or Formerly Restricted Data under the provision of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, (as amended) or is National Security Information. This report has been reproduced directly from available copies of the original material. The locations from which material has been deleted is generally obvious by the spacings and "holes" in the text. Thus the context 0-f the material deleted is identified to assist the reader in the determination of whether the deleted information is germane to his study. It is the belief of the individuals who have participated in preparing this report by deleting the classified material and of the Defense Nuclear Agency that the report accurately portrays the contents of the original and that the deleted material is of little or no significance to studies into the amounts or types of radiation received by any individuals during the atmospheric nuclear testprogram.

Page 4

1. Overseasexperimentationdqxnda upon p~~grassof construction, reliabilityof instrumentationand the overcoming of obstaclespresentadby local conditions. This OperationPlan is intendedto be used as a guide .‘or TG 7.1 personnelsince it representsa recordof agreementsarrived xt prior to its compilation. It is expectedthat this OperationPlan, augmentedby decisionsreachedin official.TG 7.1 conferencesto be conductedin the Forward Area, will furnishthe medium by &ich objectivesof TG 7.1 can be achieved. The ForwardArea conferenceswill serve as the on-sitemeans of will reducethe load of formalcorrespondence. rehearsaland shot times will be issuedprior to each eve.-f- to includehour by hour schedules. 3. Subsequentplans will governpost-shotdispositionsof Task Group

Page 8

a. US Navy Hydqgaphic chart NO. 5203, North Pacific Ocean, b. US Navy Hydrographicchart NO. 6032, North PacificOcean, Hadquarters Task Group Joint Task Force SEVEN Los Alamos, New Mexico That area encompassing the MARSHALLISLANDS. That area encompassingENIWkTOKAND BIKINIATOLLS 45' north latittie;an area 150 milesby 350 miles. water areas of the respectivalagoonsand the water areaswithinthree miles $0 the seaward side of Time of detonationfor each shot. Day on which Day on uhich (3rd Shot)will be detonated. Day on nhich (5th Shot) will be detonated. won which 1(6thShot)will be detonated.

Page 9

Day on which (7th Shot) will Rehearsalday for any shot; hence B&DAY day for BRAVO. For further code designationson the shot schedule,Annex A applies. In accordancewith directivesfrom the Joint Chiefsof Staff of seven weaponsand devicesin the Eniwetok-BikiniArea commencingin the Springof 1954, and wffl make experimentalmeasuremnts proposedby the AEC and the Departmentof Defense(DOD),as approvedby their respectiveagencies. All weaponsarrddeviceswdll be staticallydetonated. Army. The Chief of Staff, U. S. Army, is executiveagent for the Joint Chiefs of Staff for all matters pertainingto OperationCASTLE. w authorityof the AEC during the on-siteoperationalphase. d. JTF SEVEN is organizedinto five basic task groups as follows: Brig Gen HowellM. Estes,

Page 10

affecting the operational plan ani military support requirements therefor. d. Provides technical assistance during loading, i&e-atoll and inter-island movement and placing of the experimental devices. e. Completes the installation and calibration of the weapons and devices and all instruments and teat apparatus. f. Is responsible for the removal of all TG 7.1 personnel and necessary equipment from the shot site danger area (Annex K) . h. Must be prepared, upon directive from CJTF SEVEN, to conduct emergency post-shot evacuation of TG 7.1 personnel frau Eniwetok Atoll. i. Provides CJTF SEVENwith a statement of preliminary test results. 1. Recommends safe pdaitioning for aircraft participating in the m. Initiates voice-time broadcasts for all elements of the Task n. Prepares appropriate technical reports at the conclusion of each the whole operation. Missionof Subordinate Units: Deaigna and carries out experiments required for LASL Reviews and approves the construction requirements of the scientific programs under the supervision of TU-1. Administera the technical phases of the contracts of LASL and certain AEC scientific contractors. Reviews the technical reports of the scientificprogram8

Page 11

(1) re8ponsiU0for the operationand rmaintenanceof all Procures and ships to the ForwardAreaneceaaarysupplies for the operationof the plaUt8. with freonrefrigerationunit and al driers. Chmdinites with TU-3 in filling the &ridge Corporation (1) Operateaad maintdns five refdgeratedtransportdeuazm deuaraand refrigeratora thmaghout the ForwardAreaa reqairedby the operation rchedule aa coordimbd with Corporationfor the operatim

Page 12

Makes arrangements with J-4 for transportation of the doware, refrigerators, trailers, special devices arxi associated equipmentto the Forward Area from the coast, ami return. Transports equipmmt to and frau the West Coast, 21. Collaborates with TU-2 in dewar filling; develops transfer tubing, coupUm,gs, and techniques required in dewar testing ami operational filling in the Forward Area; ani fkrnishes said testing equlpnent to accompany filladdewars In transit. Delivers filled dewars to designated locations in conformance with schedules set up by TU-4 and T&U. Services,~maintains, fills, operates and delivers certain specialdevices to designated locations in the Forward Arm In conjunction with other designated units of TG 7.1 and in conformancewith a schedule set up by TU-4. Arranges with J-4 for shipment to the Forward Area of LASL test detice( s), appropriate spare parts, and the equipment necessary for the assembly and check out of such device(s). This does.not include equipment furnished by J-Division as part of facilitibs. Assembles, checks out and installs in position at the Forward Area, the LASL device(s) to be tested. Final check-outs will be made in coordination with TU-6. Island, whatever material and equipmnt noted under (1) and (2) above which remains after the operationia completed. Arms and detonates (or disarms, if necessary) weapons and devices when directed by CTG 7.1. Arming includes making &ll final connections, tests, adjustments and calibrations necessaq to ensurea succeasfU1detonation. Disseminateg appropriate information to other agencieson a “Need-to-Know” basis as required for their support of Firing

Page 13

(4) ~;~t~m7.13nfomed of progressduring armingand firing Supervisesmonitoring services for TG 7.1 operationsin the Provideslaboratory services ashore and afloat for processing film badges and issuingand recordingphoto dosimetry data for designatedpersonnelof all Task Groups;for the other Task Groups as required). Providessuitabledocumentationof fall-out, and situation map data includingdissemination of RADFZforecasts and Furnishes technical services and advice as requestedto all units of the Task Force. Trainsdesignatedpersonnelin all phasesof Radaafe surPublishessuitabletables of allowableresidualradtition levels for equipment,personnel,vehicles,boats, etc. inthe Forward Areaasrequired. Conductswater samplingoperationson Euiwetok,Bikini and other inhabited atolls ar dictated by fsll-out estimates. Xonitorsmvemmt of’sources and other radioactivematerials in the ForwardArea from the staxipointof possibleinterc ferencewith projectactivitiesas well as from the safety

Page 14

(1) Makes all negatives requested by other task units to provide full report coverage for TG 7.1 scientiiic programs, units, and staff sections in black and white and color, still ti motion picture. (2) Provides accident and general record coverage. (3) Makes technical documentary records in still ard appropriate motion pictures& each operation as reqested. (4) Provides facilities and aid to project offlcers in their processing of scientific photographic records. (5) Stores, issues, processes, arrd accounts for film in accordance with security and classification instructions. Prepares scripts for such non-technical motion picture photography as w be authorized by GJTFSEVEN. Accomplishes photography in accordance with the approved scripts in coordination with the test activities to be ’photographed. This coordination is in order to minimize interference with teat programs and duplication of photograph being accomplished by the Technical Photography Group. Stores, issues, processes and accounts for film in accordants with security and classification instructions. aai aerial maps as authorized and required by CM37.1. . Processes certain motion picture film for EGW as rsquiraL Provides photographic support of specified scientific (1) Designs and carries out experiments required for UGRLwea- (2) Reviews and approves the construction requirements of the

Page 15

(3) Administers the technical phases of the contracts of UCRL (4) Reviews the technical reports of the UCRLscientific proand carries aut experiments to determine the military of atomic detonations as required by DCD. arxl appmves construction and support requirements of-_ the military effectsprogram, (3) Reviewsthe reports prepared by the military effects programs. Arranges with J-4 for shipment to the Forward Area, the UCRL test device(s), appropriate spare parts and the equipment necessary for the assembly and check-out of such detice(s). Assembles, checks-out, and installs in position at the Forward Area the UCRLdevice(s) to be tested. _ Arranges with J-4 for return to the 21, whatever UCRL isl and equipent noted under (1) and (2) above which after the operation is completed. (1) Supplies timing signals to meet fhe principle requirements of the experimental prog&ms. (2) Supplies the firing @se to the device(s) to be tested. (3) hwrides and maintains an RF radio aml RTTYlink between Bikini ard Eniwetok. _(4) provides and maintains short range comnercial radio coimmnication on the Bikini and E&&ok Atolls. x. Further missions of Task Unit Commanders: - (1) & Forward Area conferences assist J-3 in the form&&ion of a detailed Schedule of Events covering the period from days through recovery. CriticalI.200 on shot minus three operations from shot day lniilus five to four inclusive,

Page 16

requiring Task Group support, will also be included. Recovery requirements will be specified in detail. Insure that personnel and priority cargo are returned to the ZI expeditiously, commensurate with progress of the tions. J-1 and J-4, this headquarters, will be utilized to arrange return transportation. Supply J-1, this headquarters, upon request, with current lists of personnel requiring access to exclusion areas* Exercise maximumeconomgr, commensurate tith “Getting the Job Done” in the conduct of all operations. Keep CTG 7.1 informed as to the status of their task units, providing specific details of obstacles to the successful and timely accomplishment of their missions. Insure that personnel under their command comply with current health, safety, Rad-Safe, et.c., directives issued by this and other headquarters. Conduct liaison with all other Task Unit Commanders to the extent necessary to insure adequate intra-Task Unit support and the proper fulfillment of the overall TG 7.1 mission. Insure that all personnel under their commaud have been adequately briefed for emergency operations (Annex L, Typhoon and Tidal Wave Plan and Annex H, Hostile Action Alert Plan apply). J 4. Administration: See TG 7.1 Administrative Plan, dated 15 October 5. Cod and Signal Hatters: to higher headquarters is depicted w Apperriix I to Annox B. The ARC policy line betweemthe Santa Fe Operations Office (SPOO) snd TG 7.1 represents the position of the Los Alaxnos Scientific Laboratory (LASL) within the Atomic Weapons program. J-Division of LASL is devoted to testing and includes an overseas test section. The latter constitutes the Los A&unos contingent of

Page 21

Joint Task Force SEVEN a. Scope: This conceptcovers the salientfeaturesof TG 7.1 the Task Group to the ForwardArea and ending with the completionof the b. Tests: OperationCASTLE will be a series of atomictests to be operationwill consistof seventhermonuclearshots, six of which wffl have yields in the megatonrange. Shot Code Date Model-- from bunker on Enpi Fired from arnlcer 29 March 3 1 rxreo rrom (65 - 275 KT) Bikini. On reef with radii of miles from Aomoen

Page 22

bunker on Enyu. from bunkeron Enyu. The most probableyields and limits are given but the limits are not absolute. Experimentersmust instrumentto accept a ratherwide rangeyieldwise. Probabletimes of LASL shots will be between one hour ard one-halfhour before sunrisedependingunon resultsof exnerimentsto be conductedin the a. EniwetokAtoll will be the base of operations, b. Major work will be done at EniwetokAtoll. ante work will be done onparry. d. Five of the seven devicesand weaponsw3J.lbe assembledon Parry, one on Eberiru and one on Eninman Island. Machine shop, laboratory,photographicwarehouseand stockroom facilitie~*willremain on Parry and EniwetokIslands except for limited field f. The USS CUBTISSwill be the principalshipboardfacilityfor projectlaboratory,assemblyteam base and office space. rehearsalswill be done on Parry Island for all LASL shots. h. Temporaryworking camps will be located on Bojoa (EniwetokAtoll) temporarycamp to supportproject8personnelnecessaryat that site. I, The camp site facilitieson will be severelytaxed due to population Mwetok, Parry and Bikini Islands

Page 23

especially aboard the CVEand AGC, will also be limited. Therefore,it is Only those personnel necessary to accomplish the mission should be in the Forward Area. Personnel should leave the Forward Area aa soon as their jobs are completed. Personnel shouldbe at Bikini only as long as their operations require it. j. The port of entry for aircraft and most shipping will be Eniwetok. All cargo ships till stop at Bikini to receive or discharge cargo. k. TG 7.4 will be based on Eniwetok Island. sections wdll be located major elements of th? TG 7.1 task units and staff with Los Alamos and Oahu will be maintained on n. The capability to complete operations aboard ship, if Bikini Atoll is contaminated, will be maintained. 0. Except for the Firing Party and its attached elements no personnel till be permitted within dangerous range of an armed weapon or device. A number of projects will begin on-site preparations during November tk December 1953. With minor exceptions all projects are planning to initiate on-site preparations by the first week of January 1954. b. As much construction equipment ard material as possible will be evacuated to Eniwetok during the pre-shot phase. Soms construction equipment and material for post-shot re-entry wiU be relocated to islands out of 5. Timing and Firing: The AGC CommandShip will be posit ioned within VIiF camnvnications range of Enyu during each Bikini shot. The Bikini shots will'be detonated fMn the Timing ati Firing Stationon Eqw by a Firing Party of rix or lesr. This station will also serve as a photo station and for an on-shore communications base. The radio time signals, in addition to the wired signals, will be furnished at Eniwetok ar~I Bikini; certain time signals M.l be relayed from Bikini to Parry to allow correlation of operations with t$mp~si shots. The Eniwetok &t will be fired from the Control Station

Page 24

a. The Firing Party will include those individuals, specifically designated by CTG 7.1, required to perform particular tasks in connection with the final monitoring, timing, and firing. b. CJTF SEVENwill insure that a security and safety sweep of all islands to be evacuated is made during the afternoon of shot minus one day. All security personnel,except those in the Firing Party arid at the Control Point, will …