Operation HARDTACK I Nuclear Events, 1958 (Continued)
4.15.1
Event
Date
Type
Yield
POPLAR
12 July
Barge
NA
PISONIA
18 July
Barge
NA
JUNIPER
22 July
Barge
NA
OLIVE
23 July
Barge
NA
PINE
27 July
Barge
NA
TEAK
31 July
High Altitude
(Rocket)
megaton range
Surface
NA
QUINCE
6 August
ORANGE
11 August
High Altitude
megaton range
FIG
18 August
Surface
NA
(Rocket)
Background and Objectives of Operation HARDTACK I.
HARDTACK I consisted of three parts.
The first, aimed at the
development of nuclear weapons, continued the type of testing that had been
conducted at Enewetak and Bikini during the early and mid-1950s.
The AEC
weapon development laboratories (LANL and LLNL) detonated experimental
devices, with the DOD providing support and conducting experiments that did
not interfere with AEC activities (19: 1).
The second part, sponsored by DOD, consisted of the underwater test
shots, WAHOO and UMBRELLA, the first in open ocean and the second within the
lagoon at Enewetak.
These tests, which furthered efforts undertaken with the
1946 CROSSROADS and the 1955 WIGWAM series, were designed to gain additional
data on the effects of underwater explosions on Navy ships and material
(19: 1).
The third part, sponsored by DOD, addressed a military problem that was
newer:
nuclear weapons in air and ballistic missile defense.
121
Shots YUCCA,