4950th Test Group (Nuclear) to work directly with major commands in
formulating definite plans for the operation.
In the months following the receipt of this preliminary book message, Headquarters, Task Group 7.4 was active in the planning stages
outlining specific requirements and policies for the participating
organizations.
Many documents were issued during this planning phase,
the following being the most important:
Task Group 7.4 Planning
Directive published on 17% October 1957; Task Group 7.4 Operations Plan
on 6 January 1958; and ‘Headquarters, USAF Movement Directive
on
9 January 1958.
The Task Group 7.4 Operations Plan, made effective as an Opera~
tions Order on 15 March 1958, was to be the directing and guiding
document for activities throughout the entire operation.
This started
the second phase of Operation HARDTACK, that of build-up in the forward
At this time, all units came under the control of ‘Task Group 74
area.
and the majority of the time, up to the first shot, was spent on prac-=
.
_
ticing and rehearsing for the first event.
The nuclear testing for Operation HARDTACK commenced with the firing
ofthe first event, YUCCA, on 28 April.
The test series itself in-
cluded 35 nuclear detonations at Eniwetok, Bikini and Johnston Islands.
(See Figure 1).
This is the largest nuclear test series yet conducted
by the United States.
Aircraft operated by or under the operational con-
trol of Task Group 7.4 participated in every shot fired during HARDTACK.
In support of the operation, the aerial support elements carried60,901
passengers and 2,626,265 pounds of cargo.
10,811
These aircraft flew a total of
flying“hours from the beginning of the operational phase of
=
63
AFWU/HO
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2