DNA Fact Sheet
Public Affairs Office
Washington, D. C. 20305
1978
Historical Background
The Redwing series was held primarily to test large yield thermonuclear devices that could not be tested at the Nevada Proving Ground. Development and testing of these devices, which generate their explosive power through the fusion or joining of hydrogen atoms, began in 1950 and had advanced to the state that one of these was dropped from a B-52 bomber in REDWING. The drop was witnessed by a group of U.S. newsmen, the first such group invited to view a Pacific nuclear test since 1946.
The operation was conducted by Joint Task Force 7 (JTF 7), a military organization that also included civil service and contractor personnel of the Department of Defense (DOD) and the AEC. Peak DOD numerical strength of REDWING was approximately as follows:
| Test Personnel | Number |
|---|
Uniformed military
DOD civil service
DOD contractors
Total DOD personnel
|
9,710
600
140
10,450
|
In addition, several thousand men from the AEC and its contractors, a few from other government agencies, and some foreign observers were present.
Central to the test series was the experimental program. Like most of the preceding nuclear test series, the experimental programm of REDWING incorporated two aspects. The most important involved development of the weapons themselves; the secondary experiments involved measurement of the explosive effects. These experiments measured the power and efficiency of devices and attemmpted to gauge the military effects of the explosions.
Test Operations
Tests were conducted at both Enewetak and Bikini Atolls which are some 190 nmi apart. Enewetak served as a base of operations and was where the smaller yield devices were tested; Bikini was an advance camp where the larger yield devices were tested.
Most of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps personnel were on ships operating around Bikini providing supply, evacuation capability, interatoll transportation, and other support to the tests. Most of the Army and Air Force personnel were on Enewetak. All the Services had personnel assigned to laboratory organizations, whose operations were conducted on both atolls as well as other locations in the Pacific area.
Notes:
Sections on Radiological Safety, Radiation Safety Standards, and Summary of Task Force Exposure are not included.