Operation Redwing
US Atomic Veterans
Claude Locke
Claude Locke sent email about his duty at Operation Redwing.
From: "cjlocke1" cjlocke1@email.msn.com
To: pdxavets@aracnet.com
Subject: Operation Redwing
Date: Thu, 7 Jun 2001
Keith:
In 1956 I was an Airman First Class stationed at Kirkland AFB assigned to the 4900th Periodic Maintenance Squadron. I was sent to Eniwetok TDY for Operation Redwing. Because of shot delays my TDY turned in to permanent duty. I was an aircraft mechanic working on C-47 aircraft. Our primary job was to fly personnel and equipment to Bikini Island.
I can't recall names of people I worked with while I was there but do remember a S/Sgt. with the last name Shepherd.
I remember the 10 cent movies and the dollar a carton cigarettes. We would buy a new lighter at the PX and they would fill it with lighter fluid (they did not have any lighter fluid to sell.) We tried 130 octane avation fuel but it had drawbacks. It would evaporate too fast or explode.
I was never worried about radiation, but at 21 years old you just don't think too much danger or risk.
I also remember:
All the wonderful dogs.
Saturday night steak at the mess hall.
Sunday morning strawberrys and pancakes at Duffey's.
As I look back 45 years I would not take anything for the experience, but I was ready to come home.
I was there for all
17 Redwing test. Words cannot desribe what we were all witness to. I
remember the bright light, even with goggles and my head between my knees
looking away from the blast. Then as we were allowed to turn around to watch
the fireball, all the many colors. Then after what seemed like several
minutes the sound and feel of the shockwave.
The dogs I expect meant a lot to almost everyone there. One thing that I
really hated to leave when I came home was a small terrier mix by the name
of P.J. I had only been on the rock a few days when P.J. and I found each
other. After that I went very few places he did not go. He would go to the
flight line with me and after work he would wait for me in front of the mess
hall. At night P.J. would sleep under the tent flap by my bunk. One morning
he followed me to the beach for one of the shots. If I had thought my
goggles would have fit, I would have given them to him. I did put him
between my legs and put one hand over his eyes, he did not like that but it
was only for a few seconds.
Another dog I remember was one whose name I do not know, but he rode the
bus all the time. When he wanted off he would walk to the front of the bus
and the driver would stop and let him off. I read Paul Sulky's story about
Sampson, and this could have been the same dog. I think Paul was there in
1952 and I was there in 1956.
Last of the dog stories is one about one large mutt named Worthless. We
always felt that he had I.Q. problem. He would roam the island with two or
three small rocks in his mouth. If you came up to him with some kind of
treat he would drop the rocks, gobble up the food, pick up his rocks and be
on his way. Worthless belonged to no one, strickly a loner.
Regards
Claude Locke
Email: cjlocke1@msn.com
Keith Whittle
June 8, 2001
[ Operation Redwing ]