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Declassified record · U.S. Department of Energy

Ivy Operation, Mike and King Events (Partial) (Deleted)

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34 pages
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in yields by the two methods. Although there is more confidence in the 126807 U*35 analysis, the preliminary yield should be quoted as 550 f 50 KT. This project was designed to document various processes of the. detonation, using the following techniques.. Selected amounts of various,_ _ substances are included in, or placed in the inmediate vicinity of the device. These substances have little or nothing to do with the prisary nuclear processes of the explosion, but serve only as remote indicating "tracers". The etistence of a tracer substance in or near the exploding device is assurance that such a tracer will be bombarded with neutrons and gama rays. If the substance has been properly selected, and if the tracer has been located sufficientlynear the device to be thoroughly mixed wit% the device debris, such a bo,nbardmentwill result in easily detectable activity in every svl;plesubsequentlyanalyzed. Hence, careful positiolling of tracer substances can furnish information as to the detailed action of size particular portion or component of the device design. The expertiental procedures involved are essentially the laboratorv analvsis techniques used on saraplestaken from the atotic cloud. The complete results of this project are not avtilable at this tire. Continting studies are in progress to gather, by this nethod, diagnostic information as to the detailed thermonuclear processes of the device during the detonation period. These studies are inter-related p.dthefficiency of deuterium burning or radiochenical fusion yield Keasurements. Prelit5nar-y res.ultsindicate approxtiztel however, there This project was designed to collect appropriate sa.!zplesof ///+I h7 atomic cloud, prir-zzily in support of the radiochep5ca.lstudies of Projects 1.1 and 1.2. The project n-as considerably co;;p'licatedby the specifications for an nadeqate szyple", nmely rcinimm acceptable physical size, absence of cont&ation durj_ngcollection and shipment, sufficiency of nuclear

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activity and availability for relatively L-!-mediaterecovery end delivery to the Laboratory for analysis. (1) Sixteen F-8&G's, manned sampling aircraft.,were maintained on Kwajalein in order that a minimum of twelve could be operational for each - shot. A total of twelve filter samples were considered essential for the analysis required by Projects 1.1 and 1.2. Two paper5 from a given aircraft constituted a single sample, Since these carriers were required to have a flight capability of five hours, ten inflight refueling tankers were maintained (also on Kwajalein) for support purposes. One ~-36 and one B-29 were used as primary and alternate operational air command posts, or traffic controllers for the project. 1' (2) Sampling devices and associated equipment installed on the F-GAG aircraft consisted of the following: (a) A filter was installed in the forward section of each wing tip tank - the filter paper area in each case being approxkately one square foot. The filter mouth xas supplied with a shutter which could be opened or closed by the pilocto preclude the possibility of rain nzshing (b) A snap sampler (consisting of a ply-ethylene bag in a metal case, with a valve controlled inlet probe) was mounted in the nose of the aircraft. (c) An iotization chamber was mounted in the right tip tark filtering unit - to act as the detector for a dose rate meter in the cockpit. This meter gave the pilot an indication of particulate sample (d) A second intensity rate meter, with its associated detector,was mounted in the cockpit. This meter gave a direct read&g of dose rate to which the pilot s-assubjected at a given t3&. (e) A total-dose Deter nas also mounted in the cockpit to give the pilot a direct indication of hornmany roentgens of gamma he had (3) At zero time, two of the spare F-8$Gfs were in the shot area- ready to perform reconnaissanceas required to establish: (a) Base of the upper cloud.

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created by wind (b) Lowest altitude of (c) Lowest altitude at prominent features OS the cloud which a useful radiation intensity was relayed to the control aircraft, and was used to take off times and flight altitudes for the twelve carriers. A much larger component of radiation was expected to be present in the cloud radiation flux from KIKE shot than one would expect from "normale detonations. Fortunately, much of this-TED n energy and could be "screened out" by a relatively thin layer of an absorbing material such as lead. The pilot was therefore' shielded by a protective gown of lead impregnated glass fabric to reduce the soft component by a factor of about four. (5) To protect the carrier pilot from ingestion of radioactcve material, adequate precautions were taken to filter any air that entered the pressurized compartment. (a) Twelve samples were obtained by the F-84G aircraft, Including the two used for early reconnaissance. Aircraft operated in three flights of four aircraft each. (b) Samples obtained by the first flight, as ill as one sample from the second flight, xere each ap?roxLmately the size predicted and T;;eresatisfactory for yield deterCnation. Tno samples of the second flight and the four samples from the third flight were appro>drately onethird of the size of the best four and were satisfactory for the purpose of ratio and detector studies. These samples were from five to ten times s_rilJer than they should have been because of unforeseen operational limitations beyond the control of this project (Par. 3~ (1) (g) below). The two reconnaissance aircraft gave very small samples which were useful for penetrating the main body of the cloud. In general, all samples, except four lFfii&lrere taken at radically different altitudes or sections of the cloud, are considered to be as representative of the cloud as possible.

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18. Program 11 - Preliminary Geophysical and Marine Survey of Test Area This program was designed to obtain detailed information as to the configuration and structure of Fniwetok Atoll in order that the effects of 1GIKEshot (and other high yield shots presently planned for future tests) upon that structure might be more readily and reliably interpreted. In addition, it included a study of the biological contamination effects re- - sulting from an atomic burst near water. Prior to MIKE shot, both acoustic soundings and seismic refraction surveys were conducted on and around the Eniwetok reef. Ground shock tests were accomplished in conjuction with high explosive detonations and two deepdrill holes were sunk to unaltered basement rock. In addition, samples of marine life were collected both biological effects of radiation in the laboratory. before and after the shot in order that the contamination might be subsequently analyzed The only appropriate preliminary statement of results for this program is that usable data was recovered and is being reduced. 19. Orzanization and Command Relationships a. Joint Task Force 132 was organized into a Headquarters and four functional task groups designated as: (1) Task Group 132.1 (Scientific Task Group) (2) Task Group 132.2 (Army Task Group) (3) Task Group 132.3 (Naval Task Group) (4) Task Group 132.4 (Air Force Task Group) b. The basic plan for operation IVY was set forth in J.C.S. 2179/15. Forces vere drawn from the Atomic Energy Commission and its contractors, and from the three Services. Appendix L depicts the general organization for operation Ivy. Appeniix M depicts the organization of the Headquarters, Joint Task Force 132. The peak task force strength overseas numbered approtimately ll,CQO. Appendix N indicates tbs phasing of task force elezenta c. Task Group 132.1 ('lG132.1), activated on 2 January 1951, was designing and constructing all test facilities in the f0rNar-darea and

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conducted the experimental programs. Ths "J" Division of LASL, forced after operation SANDSTONE in 1948 to provide continuity in weapons tests activities and headed by Dr. Alvin C. Graves, formsd the nucleus of lG 132.1. Actual design and construction of facilities and the operation of 31 boats and small craft were accomplished by the firm of Holmes & Karver, Inc., Los Angeles, California, which reached a peak strength of about 1,250 on tual arrangements, from certain universities and from private industry or through assignment by CJTF 132 from military sources and Service laboratories. Approximately U3 officers and 171 enlisted men of the military Services periments, as well as to receive special training. TG 132.1 was organized along military lines and at peak strength numbered about 2,124. The org&ization and missions of TG 132.1 are shown in Appendix 0. d. Task Gmup 132.2 (TG 132.2), activated on 1 August 1951, was cor:nnandedby Colonel George E. Surritt, USA. TG 132.2 operated all base facilities on Eniwetok Island; provided off-atoll communications, less A%ways and Air Comunications Service (AACS); and provided land sec$iirity throughout the atoll. A force of 167 miEtary police was assigned to accoqlish this latter function. In addition, al-lmilitary personnel on E,niwetokAtoll were organized and trained into a ground defense force c;able of resisting hostile action, if such an emergency occurred. ?,e peak overseas strength of TG 132.2 during the operational phase was approtizatelg 1,230. The organization and missions of TG 132.2 are shown in i.,pndix P. e. Task Group 132.3 (TG 132.3), activated on 8 February 1952 at Washington, D.C., was wmnanded by Rear Admiral Charles W. Wilkins, USN. The Task Group consisted of nineteen ships and thirty-five soall CraftKaval air participation consisted of Patrol Squadron TIKIbased at Kwajalein with aircraft detachzents aboard the USS FZl;DoVA(CVE-l-l.&).TG 132.3 conducted security operations in the forward area, served as an afloat base during flKE shot evacuation ard provided logistical and technical suPport to TG 132.1. All vessels were fully operational at the tine of reporting to the Task Group and at peak strength the Task Group overseas numbered 5,497 personnel. The organization and tissions of TG 19.3 zre shown in Appendix Q.

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f. Task Group 132.4 (TG l32.&), activated on 2 January 1952 at Sirtland Air Force Base, was commanded by Brigadier General F.E. Glantzberg, USAF. The Strategic Air Command (SAC), the Air Research and Development Special Weapons Center (SE) in the organizing, manning, equipping and - training of subordinate task units. The Air Eateriel Comeand (AK) provided technical and logistical support to the Task Group. TG 132.4 operated experimental and liaison aircraft and provided, in collaboration with other Task Force elements, such services as weather information, communications, search and rescue and documentary photography. During the training period, simulated operations were conducted and a complete, detailed rehearsal of IVY air operations was staged at Bergstrom Air Force Base in August, 1992. One F-84 was lost during the operational phase at Sniwetok, resulting in the death of the pilot. One RB-50 was destroyed with no personnel casualties. At peak strength the Task Group overseas n&tiered 2,518 personnel. The organization and mission of TG 132.4 are shown in Appendix R. g. It is believed that a perLlanentJoint Task Force orSa.ization ~;ouldresult in .~re expeditious and e?onotical progression of effort from one overseas operation to the next. A permanent organization wuld elitiate r~ny of the following repetitive activities which have tmifted previous test operations due to the lack of continuity fro= one task force to another: (1) Assignment, post-operation release and subsequent reprocurenent of staff personnel indoctrinated in joint planrLng. curenent of specialists and units specially trained for atotic energy test (3) The consurcingand costly processing of new AEC "an (4) Activation, post-operation deactivation and subsequent reactivation of Naval stall craft used in off-cnnt5nental tests. (5) h'odification,post-operation deoodification and subsequent remodification of ships, aircraft end equipment eqloyed in these test a. Shortly after the organization of the JTF 132 Headquarters,

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rehearsal. After two postponements due to unfavorable weather the KING weapon was successfully detonated on 16 November 1952, three days beyond the 13 Rovember date planned at the time of reentry after MIKE shot. a. Because of unknown factors involved in a detonation of the magnitude of EIKE, complete evacuation of Eniwetok Atoll was required for this phase of the operation. The CJTF 132, CTG 132.1 and the weapons party established the& comnd posts for this period aboard the USS ESTFS (AGC-12); CTG 132.2 established his command post on the USNS COLLINS (TAP-l47); and GIG 132.3 was in his flagship, the USS -VA (CVE-114). b. With the exception of the small weapons party and an upper air sounding team, evacuation -- begun on M-4 days - was practically completed by 2000 on M-1 day. CTG 132.4 boarded the FSTiZSat 1700 to act as Staff+'Air Controller. The weapons party boarded the USS CURTISS (AV-4) by 0125. The evacuation fleet, under the operational command of CTG 132.3, sas clear of the lagoon by 0315 and the last ship was on station by 04.45. c. At the time of detonation all ships were in a sector bearing northeast to south, at a distance of thirty miles or more from ground zero. The exact position of several of the sti:s was dictated by their use as recording and measuring stations in various scientific programs. d. The ships remained at sea until a radiological safety survey of the lagoon was made. Upon coqletion of this survey on the Doming of Kfl, reentry into the lagoon was corurenced. With the completion of surveys of the cq areas the covenent of personnel ashore was begun. a. Within one hour after the KIKE detonation, reentry operations comenced by helicopter launched from the RENDOVA at sea. Movecent of the Task Force ashore was geared to reactivation of facilities and was wnpleted by l!!r(4days. On Mfl day, radiological safety (RadSafe) conditions pemitted general reentry into the atoll by the Task Force and on Uf2 days the Task Force Doved ashore. As radiation levels on the instrmented islands decreased, recovery operations progressed. By lLfl.2days all significant data b. Recovery operations followin shot posed fewer obstacles

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than those following KIKR. As the KING detonation was an air-drop, radiation levels were almost negligible. Thus, recovery schedules were advanced and recovery work was completed by K+7 days with excellent data obtained. a. Disposition of Forces and Equipment a. As tasks were completed, units of the Task Force were deployed and individuals returned to ths ZI or reassigned in a normal phasing __ out process immediately after KING shot. As operation CASTLZ had been programmed to follow IVY after only a short interval of time, the roll-up of IVY was planned in such a manner as tc provide for continuity of operations and for economical, expeditious support of CASTLE. b. Consideration was given to the savings which would accrue through reassigning to the Task Force certain ships, boats and aircraft already activated and modified for IW at substantial expense. Retention a planning staffs and certain troop elements was also accomplished. 25. Search and Rescue. Throughout the operation, search and rescue (SAR) responsibilityfor the Task Force was assigned to CTC 132.4. This proved to be a workable arrangement in view of his proximity to the Kwajalein Area SAR Coorilnation Center during the less critical periods and the versatility of control facilities available tb him during rehearsals and shot periods in his Air Operations Center in the Combat Information Center (CIC) aboard the ESTES. iYinchand float equipped helicopters, radar eqzipped P2Vs, destroyers and AVR crash boats combined Rith airborne control aircraft and the latest type fixed radar equipment of the ZSTFS provided sqerior SAR capabilities. To provide a margin of safety appropriate …

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