the series. It shows a group on Enewetak turned away from the detonation as it breaks the predawn darkness (H). Operation REDWING Test Events, 1956 Event Date Type Yield LACROSSE 5 May Surface 40 kilotons CHEROKEE 21 May Airdrop Several megatons ZUNI 28 May Surface YUMA 28 May Tower NA* ERIE 31 May Tower NA Surface 13.7 kilotons 3.5 megatons SEMINOLE 6 June FLATHEAD 12 June Barge NA BLACKFOOT 12 June Tower NA KICKAPOO 14 June Tower NA OSAGE 16 June Airdrop NA INCA 22 June Tower NA DAKOTA 26 June Barge NA MOHAWK 3 July Tower NA APACHE 9 July Barge NA NAVAJO 11 July Barge NA TEWA 21 July Barge HURON 22 July Barge 5 megatons NA *Not announced 4.13.1 Background and Objectives of Operation REDWING. The main purpose of Operation REDWING was to test high-yield thermonuclear devices that could not be tested in Nevada. The only shot of the series not expressly for weapons development was CHEROKEE, which was airdropped from a B-52. Its primary purpose was to demonstrate the ability of the U.S. to deliver large-yield nuclear devices. The event was viewed by 15 press observers, the first such group invited to view a Pacific nuclear test Since the CROSSROADS deonations of 1946. Seventeen invited civil defense officials also observed the shot (17: 2, 177, 22-23). 114