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,

Select target paragraph3