Pd ASPEN EVENT OPERATION HARDRACK 1, The ASPEN device was detonated on a barge 3,000 feet southwest of Charlie Island, Bikini Atoll, at 0530M, 15 Jyns 19058, Radar establishad the cloud height at 48,600 feet; aircraft estinated the top at 55,C00 feet. Within thirty minutes the cloud had moved well to the northwest of the lagoon. 2, A P2V airoraft (Wiidroot 11) reported over Nan at H+30 minutes, and it was vectored scross the eastern asction of the lagoon. readings were recorded. Only background At 0645M, the P2V had searched the entire l:goon, and the highest reading was made two miles sast of ground gsro: 5.5 ar/br. Re-entry hour was declared at O7COMe 3, Tyo helicopters took off from Nan at 0730M, and negative readings were reported at William and How, A second detailed survay was conducted at H+7 hours, 4, Fallout was predicted along a true bearing of 300 degrees for 4 distance of 200 miles. It is estimated that all fallout fell within this area , 5, Excellent communications with the USS Benner contributed to the succass of this event. . my act TAB A | | 1497