Billy Trippett sent this email regarding his duty during Operation Dominic.
From: "Billy Trippett" backdoor@access.mountain.net
To: pdxavets@aracnet.com
Subject: Operation Dominic [Swordfish]
Date: Sat, 6 Mar 1999
Hi Keith
This is Billy Trippett again.
During Operation Swordfish our squadron was Patrol Squadron 46 stationed at NAS North Island San Deigo Ca. Attached to Fleet Air Wing 14.
We furnished aircraft and crews to conduct flights for the purpose of gathering operational and scientific information in connection with U.S.naval radiological defense laboratory project 2.2 .
We used one aircraft which was equipped with radiation detection equipment.
Four personel from NRDL flew with us on each flight. Two crews were used, crew 3 [ LT W.R.Westlake, Pilot ], I was an AT1 radar operator on this crew. Crew 8 [LCDR H.E.Otten, pilot.]
On the day of the shot we were stationed on the end of the runway at NAS Northisland San Deigo Ca. When the shot was fired we were released for takeoff and arrived over the area about 1.5 hours later. At this time we proceded to criss-cross the area taking radation level readings. We did this for the next 14 days. First crew 3 then crew 8. The same aircraft flew all flights. This aircraft was parked in an isolated area and only crew members and assigned maintance personel were allowed close to it.
After we finished this we were sent to Barbers Point Hawaii for the Johnston Island tests. We flew out of Barbers Point only. I must say the high altitude shot was one of the most beautiful displays of color I ever saw. When it first went off you could read a newspaper at 11:00 pm at night with no problem.
I retired in May 1974. as an AWC stationed at CPWP Moffett Field Ca.
I have a letter of appreaciation from the Commanding Officer and Director of USNRDL.
Certificate of Participation, JOINT TASK FORCE EIGHT.
Certificate of Participation, COMMANDER TASK UNIT 8.3.2/ COMMANDER FLEET AIR WING TWO of the NAVY TASK GROUP, JOINT TASK FORCE EIGHT.
I also have a picture of crew 3 and the four people from NRDL.
I just hope this can help in some small way.
Billy Trippett
AWC RET.
P.O.Box 83
Grantsville,WV 26147
Email: backdoor@access.mountain.net
Keith Whittle
March 8, 1999
[ Operation Dominic 1 ]