Operation Wigwam
US Atomic Veterans
Steve Gann
Steve Gann sent email about his duty at Operation Wigwam.
From: "Steve & Pat Gann" variable6@cox.net
To: "Keith" pdxavets@aracnet.com
Subject: Re: Operation Wigwam
Date: Mon, 18 Feb 2002
Hi Keith,
About the only thing I remember about "Operation Wigwam" was the security that was in place the day we got underway.
No one knew we were even going to get underway and all the married guys had driven their cars to work etc. When we got on board, no one was allowed to leave the ship without escorts and no one was allowed to call home etc. They didn't tell us where we were going until we were well out to sea. Made quite a hit with the families.
As for the explosion, I was on the rangefinder in the Mk. 37 director (48X lens) and got a hell of a view of the blast. I was focused on the buoy at ground zero, listening to the "countdown". The instant they said "zero", the whole field of vision was filled with a multi-colored column of water. I assume the color was from light refraction. After the blast - a small wave radiated from the blast area and came toward us at incredible speed. It shook the hell out of the ship, then a second wave came at us and shook the ship even harder. We then started the "washdown" and that was it.
That is the way I remember it - whether or not that was the way it happened or not - I don't know. I've slept since then. :)
Steve Gann
Email: variable6@cox.net
Keith Whittle
February 18, 2002
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