The
third
part,
sponsored by
also
DOD,
addressed
a military
problem that was newer:
nuclear weapons in air and ballistic missile defense. The HARTACK tests directed toward this
problem consisted of three high-altitude shots, two of which (TEAK and ORANGE) were rocket
borne and were conducted at Johnston Island. The third of these high-altitude tests. YUCCA,
These highwas carried aloft by a balloon over the ocean between Enewetak and Bikini.
altitude tests used device placement techniques and data-recording operations that were new
to nuclear weapons testing.
Central to the test series was the experimental program.
This program and its require-
ments dictated the form of the test organization and the detail of personnel participation.
HARDTACK's experimental program incorporated two aspects, the first of which was the develop-
ment of the weapons themselves, and the second involved the measurement of the explosive and
radiation effects.
Unlike earlier nuclear test series, the HARDTACK test operations supporting each aspect were in large part separate.
These two aspects can serve as a rough measure of differentiation of interest between
the major participants: the AEC interest in weapon development, and the DOD interest in the
military application of the effects of the explosions.
The several parts of the weapon
development and effects studies each had particular features that led to the possibility of
radiation exposure.
RADIOLOGICAL SAFETY
For Operation HARDTACK, CJIF 7 was directed to “assume overall responsibility for the
radiological safety of Task Force personnel and of populated islands."
To carry out this
responsibility, the JIF 7 Operation Plan further directed that a Fallout Plotting Center be
set up and that the capability be established to keep the task force and CINCPAC informed of
the fallout situation at all times, including the announcement of safe reentry times. Fallout stations were to be set up and technical assistance given to personnel in the Trust
Territory of the Pacific Islands. Monitors and couriers were to be provided for radioactive
sample centers.
-
In addition, the Operation Plan specified that task group commanders establish radiation
safety (radsafe) units within the task groups with adequate special clothing and radiac
instrumentation. Task groups were also to provide a roster of their personnel for film badge
preparation.
.
The
radsafe
program
for Operation HARDTACK was divided into two parts:
offsite.
Onsite
radsafe
activities
were
conducted
by
the
various
on-site and
task groups,
with
the
scientific task group given the responsibility for all radsafe functions associated with
diagnostic experimental programs and for dosimetry and other technical services to the entire
task force.
The operation of the offsite program and the coordination of the onsite activities were conducted by the Radsafe Office of Hq JIF 7.
RADIATION SAFETY STANDARDS
A maximum permissible exposure (MPE) for personnel was set at 3.75 roentgens (R) (gamma
only) per consecutive 13-week period with a maximum of 5 R for the operation. Exceptions were
made for emergency and other tactical situations.
The operation was defined as the period
from 15 days before the first ready date to 15 days after the last shot. A special MPE of 10 R
was authorized for crewmembers of air-sampling aircraft.
In the event of operational error
or emergency, an additional exposure of 10 R would be accepted. Any exposure in excess of 20
R total would be considered as an overexposure for aircrew samplers.
The limit of 3.75 R per 13-week period was slightly greater than the National Council on
Radiation Protection and Measurements and the International Commission on Radiation Protection limit of 3 R per l3-week period in effect at that time.
The limit of 5 R for the
Operation is equivalent to the exposure currently permitted per year by Federal guidelines
for radiation workers.
Appropriate remarks were to be included in the medical records of