Operation Teapot
US Atomic Veterans
David Ellis
David Ellis contacted us by email about his participation during the Castle, Redwing and Teapot atomic tests.
From: WAYE@webtv.net (DAVID ELLIS)
Date: Thu, 18 Feb 1999
To: pdxavets@aracnet.com (Keith)
Subject: Re: Atomic testing
My name is David Ellis, I was an A/C mechanic on an F-84 sampler plane during Castle, Redwing and Teapot. 4926 Test Sqd. out of Kirtland AFB, NM.
I was wondering when someone would ask? Did the mechanics receive radiation? You couldn't wash the inside of these engines. We pulled one engine two months after returning to Kirtland. It was reading 25 r. and I was on, in, and around these planes 8, 10, 12, hrs. a day. every day during the tests.
Bravo 1954, a lot of suspense, huge and awesome. Best I remember, there
were 15, F-84 aircraft in our squadron. These aircraft were used to sample the blast cloud
after each shot. The pilots flying these missions were very courageous, brave, and am sure received too much radiation.
There was an old Jap hanger full of bullet holes. These holes were put there by some
more brave men in WWII. We kept this hanger busy keeping planes ready to
fly. This area was my work station assigned to one F-84 service number 043.
C/Chief Joe E. Dugger out of Brownsville, Texas. I looked forward to the
Saturday night meal. We got steak, took it any way it came. Always a long chow
line on saturday night. Yes Keith I was there 1954 and 1956. Also in 1955 at the Teapot tests at
Indian Springs, Nevada.
David Ellis
Email: WAYE@webtv.net
Keith Whittle
February 26, 1999
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