NUTMEG EVENT
OPERATION FARDTACK

1,

NUTMEG was detonated at 0920M, 22 May 1958, off the west end

of Tare Island at Bikini Atoll.

At 0926M the cloud had stabilized at

20,C00 feet and was breaking up.

Radar from the USS Boxer confirmed

the cloud's position of 264 degrees true bearing from ground zero,
moving 6 knots per hour at O940M,

2.

After this time the cloud dissipated.

The P2V aircraft reported over the USS Boxer, and it was

directed on a course bearing 170 degrees from George Island at 5,000

feet.

A reading of 0.1 mr/hr was read, and altitude was dropped to

1,000 feet.
levels.

Several north-south sectors recordad only minor radiation

At 1045M the P2V was vectored along the northern chain and

at 1100M along the eouthern chain,

ovor Tare at 1105M, at 400 mr/hr.

Maximm intensity was recorded

The P2V was vectored to the west of

Bixini 60 miles out, where maximm readings of 140 mr/hr were recorded.
3,

Two helicopter surveys were initiated by TU-6 at 1030M,

A

maximim reading of 4 mr/br was recorded at Charlie Island at 1105M by
one flight.

The othar flight, ovar the western chain, recorded 30,000

mr/hr over ground zero at 1050M and 3,000 mr/hr at Willian.
4.
zero,

Fallout forecast was on a bearing of 270 degrees from ground
It is estimated that the fallout pattern was more to the northe

.
on

west and that the southern forecast was not fulfilled. BEST COPY AY MILABLE

TAB A

77

Select target paragraph3