Operation Upshot/Knothole
US Atomic Veterans
James C. Trammell
Date: Fri, 09 Aug 2002
From: jctpet@bellsouth.net
To: pdxavets@aracnet.com
Subject: INFORMATION REQUEST
I flew on one of the Upshot Knothole Atomic missions that your Web Site
refers to in 1953 as a B-50 Aircraft Commander assigned to the 2nd Bomb
Wing at Savannah, Georgia.
We had several aircraft on the mission flying
one mile intervals at 1000 foot separation. As I recall, my assigned altitude
was 32,000 with the task of being positioned exactly above ground zero
for the purpose of obtaining radar scope pictures of the blast. We had
been briefed to stay strapped in our seats with special eye goggles until
the "Shock Wave" was felt. When the weapon was detonated the sky immediately
turned into a brilliant light even with the special eye goggles. The Shock
Wave was a bit STARTLING to my crew because of the impact that we
clearly felt. So much so that a Colonel observer from SAC Headquarters
standing between the two pilots (he would not hook-up to a seat belt even
at my suggestion) was thrown against the Flight Engineer's control panel.
We had been briefed that once the the Shock Wave had passed we could take
off the special glasses. This we did and the view was amazing. I
made a slow 360 degree turn to permit the flight crew to observe what had
happened. I recall feeling that I had made a bad decision making the 360
turn because the mushroom cloud seemed most certain to engulf us. It did
not but was soon above our assigned altitude.
One of the STARTLING views
was that the desert sand seemed to be "on fire". I shall NEVER forget this
event.
I have searched your Web Links concerning this mission but at this juncture
unable to find anything specific concerning the 2nd Bomb Wing and its participation.
Any help you can give will be appreciated.
Sincerely,
James C. Trammell
Colonel, USAF (Ret.)
5877 Trammell Road
Morrow, GA
404-361-5070
James C. Trammell
jctpet@bellsouth.net
Keith Whittle
August 11, 2002
Operation Upshot/Knothole