Bob Soper sent this email regarding his duty during Operation Dominic.
From: Soapboxbj@aol.com
To: pdxavets@aracnet.com
Subject: Christmas Island 1962
Date: Wed, 3 Feb 1999
I was assigned to the 1211th Test Squadron in January of 1962, at
Kirtland AFB. I believe in April of that year we were sent to Hickham AFB,
then on to Christmas Island. I arrived before the first blast, where we were
stuck in an old WW2 hangar, to endure whatever was going to happen. The
B-52's crew counted down until detonation, eventually the old hangar swayed
back and forth and appeared to be on the verge of falling down from the blast.
From then on we were taken out to sit on the taxiways where we were given dark
red glasses and told not to face the blast until notified. The heat and wind
were very apparent. We could always tell where the shock wave was by watching
the birds. When they got hit by the wave they'd go up and down, sometimes
slamming into the ground. I think I went through 8-10 of the tests before my
extension was cut, and I went back to Kirtland for discharge.
The most disturbing part of this experience was the callous disregard for
aircraft maintenance crews. At first we were supposed to let the sample
collecting aircraft (B-57-D's} cool down from the radiation, but after the
tests fell behind, because of rainy weather, they did immediate washing and
maintenance. I believe they even did two blasts on some days. I may be wrong
on that but I don't think so.
Unfortunately I really think most of the men there didn't have the knowledge
about radiation to understand how serious the danger was. The training was
suspect at best. I had previously had pretty descent training at Fort Belvoir
Va. , while assigned to Andrews AFB, and so far am thankful for that.
I want you to know I appreciate the effort you've put into this endeavor,
Thanks Again.
Bob Soper
AFSN 11346033,
Career field 42251
Email: Soapboxbj@aol.com
Keith Whittle
Feb 7, 1999
[ Operation Dominic 1 ]