7.3 the navy,
7.4 tne Air vorce, and 7.5 the contractors (primarily
from tie firm of Holmes and Narver) and Department of Defense people.
Tue Joint Task Force concept vas one originated for the Able and saker
tests at Bikini Atoll in 1446 and was continued thereafter.
been proven
It had
the most effective and efficient way of combining technical
Know-how, military and security interests and an equitable sharing of
the knowledge resulting from suci tests.
Upon the shoulders of tie
Task Force Conmaander, and tine heads of the five sepments of the Force
rested Cae responsibility for tne safety of all personnel and the
successful execution of the tests.
of Marcn 1,
Sometime in the varly morning hours
1954, iaformation was received concerning the status of the
Snips, personnel and security surrounding 5U,000 square wile zone wiici
extended from LU° 15' to 12° 45' nortin latitude and from 160° 35' to
1lvu6° 16' east longitude.
Also received was meteorological information
concerning wind anu weatiter conditions.:
and evaluated,
After all data was received
the decision was wade to go anead with the first test of
tae “Castle series.
‘The code name for the sleeping giant bottled up
in its steel and concrete wonb was "Bravo."
At one minute, or even a few seconds before 06:45 kilo (local) time
on waren 1, 1954,
the tragic events which would follow "Bravo's"
detonation could nave been prevented, but incredibly,
the decision was
wade to po ahead, despite an incomplete and somewhat alarming report
concerning tne winds avove sulkini.*
For "sfike’ shot on iEnewetok in 1952
available wind information showed winds heading to the west from sea
* See appendix for ‘rike' and "Bravo' wind direction charts.
79
33h