During CASTLE, the fifth nuclear test series conducted in the Marshall Islands, a serious fallout contamination incident from Shot BRAVO had affected not only U.S. personnel but Marshall Island residents and Japanese fishermen as well. On 27 April, 8 days before the first REDWING detonation, a joint DOD-AEC press release identified the safety precautions in effect for the series. It described the improved fallout prediction capability available and the extensive monitoring that was to be done both at the Pacific Proving Ground and beyond. the Pacific. It also described programs for surveying marine life in Moreover, the release stated that the yields of the devices to be tested were expected to be lower than the largest of those detonated as part of Operation CASTLE (17: 21,22). Press observers were invited to view part of the series. Fifteen members of the press, the first to observe oceanic tests since the CROSSROADS detonations of 1946, accordingly witnessed LACROSSE and CHEROKEE. Seventeen invited civil defense officials also observed the shots (17: 22). 4.13.2 REDWING Test Operations. Numerous technical experiments were carried out in conjunction with each of the 17 detonations. These experiments measured the yield and efficiency of the devices and attempted to gauge the military effects of the explosions. Approximately 11,350 DOD personnel took part in or supported these activities. Also present at the tests were several thousand personnel from the AEC and its contractors, a few from other Government agencies, and some foreign observers as well (17: 2). Most of the Navy and Marine Corps personnel were on ships operating around Bikini providing supply, evacuation capability, and other support to the tests there. Most of the Army and Air Force personnel were on Enewetak. All the services had personnel assigned to laboratory organizations whose operations were conducted on both atolls as well as other locations in the Pacific (17: 3). 115