Operation Redwing, 1956.
US Atomic Veterans
Gary Luerding
From: "Gary Luerding" garlyne@cdsnet.net
To: pdxavets@aracnet.com
Subject: Operation Redwing
Date: Sun, 10 Jan 1999
Just ran across your web-site after watching a documentary of the atomic
bomb tests. My name is Gary Luerding. I was in the Navy aboard the USS
Lipan (ATF-85) during the Redwing Operation.
I can remember like it was
yesterday, the awesome power of those tests. Especially Cherokee. The
light was like the glare from a welding rod and when we got to open our
eyes it was like an unnatural daylight, yet the sky above was still black
with the stars shining.
Off in the distance was a thin white cloud which
slowly developed into the mushroom shape, and as it grew I swear you could
see lightening inside of it. Every color of the spectrum was visible in
that cloud.
Later we had to decontaminate some barges that had been towed
in to measure radiation levels. We were dressed in foul weather gear,
sleeves taped to rubber gloves with plastic visors on our faces. We worked
in 30 minute shifts then had to shower and get checked for radiation
levels. We all wore dosimeters and so far I'm in good health. 60 years
old and going strong.
Would like to say hi to all the Navy vets who
participated and hope all are doing well.
Gary Luerding
garlyne@cdsnet.net
Keith Whittle
January 11, 1999
Operation Redwing