Discontinuance of Nuclear Weapons Tests, which began in Geneva on 31 October
1958 and was attended by U.S., British, and Soviet delegates.
On 1 November
1958, the U.S. unilaterally announced a test moratorium to begin on 1 November
1958, declaring a cessation in nuclear testing if the Soviet Union also
refrained (21: 28).
Because the testing and improvement of various nuclear weapons was
crucial to American defense policy, a number of tests needed to be conducted
before the moratorium began.
On 28 August 1958, President Eisenhower
approved an accelerated series of nuclear tests code named Operation MILLRACE
to be completed at the NTS before the start of the moratorium.
On 29 August
1958, by AEC directive, the name of the series was changed to Operation
HARDTACK, Phase II (21: 28,29).
4.17.2
HARDTACK II Test Operations.
An estimated 1,650 DOD personnel took part in HARDTACK II.
This
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participation was relatively small compared with previous nuclear weapons
testing series because of the weapons development emphasis of the program and
because of the substantial DOD involvement (about 16,000 personnel) in
HARDTACK I.
The primary DOD involvement in HARDTACK II was at Shots HAMILTON
and HUMBOLDT, the two weapons effects tests cosponsored by the DOD and the
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.
Projects at these tests were planned
to develop delivery systems for small nuclear devices, to design military
equipment that could withstand the effects of a nuclear detonation, and to
determine the military requirements for future nuclear device designs.
In
addition to participation in these projects, DOD personnel at HARDTACK II
provided air and ground support, including radiological safety monitoring, and
administrative staff support (21: 1,29,2).
4.17.3
Dose Summary for Operation HARDTACK II.
HARDTACK II participants, with the exception of AFSWC personnel on cloudsampling missions, were limited to a gamma plus neutron dose of 3.0 rem per
calendar quarter or a total of 5.0 rem per year.
The AFSWC personnel involved
in cloud sampling were permitted to receive up to 10.0 rem during the series.
Individuals who participated in cloud sampling at HARDTACK II who were
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