noted Wng range by a brief interruption in all radio communications, which
occurs only at«@ffe-t#mne of a detonation to prevent interference with experi-
mentation, A continuous signal is transmitted onat least one long range
radio link from Eniwetok to Los Alamos except for the brief interruption at
shot time.
It is possible, of course, to have identical interruptions at ap~
proximately the same time each day, but the Japanese have been able to
detect shock waves and report the fact of detonations of substantial ylelds
without the use of this signal interruption. Such observations have also been
made by nonparticipating personnel on previous PPG operations.
*Unless there is a definite substantial security benefit, it is strongly
recommended that the mere fact of a detonation need not be considered
classified, even though an official announcement is not made. This would
not authorize public release of the detonation until official announcement;
however, it would materially relleve the unnecessary security interference
f
with the operation, and at the same time minimize the resulting disrespect
of real security matters by their dilution with psuedo-security matters.
<
The situation on proposed shot dates, specifically the D—3 to D—1
dates, is of even less significance because there are always many more
such dates than actual detonations. A completely anomalous situation has
arisen on this score.
In preparation for a shot, it is necessary to have
conspicuously posted on blackboards, at several points in the compound,
identification of shot name, shot date, and atoll location for all forthcoming
detonations at least from the D~3 to D-~1 stage. If such information were
placed on a piece of paper and left unsecured in an office, an individual
would be charged with a security violation, but the identical information remains posted 24 hours a day in at least two locations within the same ad~
ministrative compound,
Furthermore, a mimeographed announcement is placed on every bed
on each atoll at a fixed time before a detonation, indicating that a shot will
be detonated and at which atoll. The night before the shot, a sound truck
travels through all open areas announcing the exact date and time of deto~
nation and the required safety precautions, which to a large extent are a
function of yleld and location of the shot within the atoll. Also, for operational reasons, including safety, open radio circuits of presumably short
range are used to communicate within and between the atolls giving such
information,
.
*The Task Force has ruled that the information is unclassified at the
atoll but Confidential Defense Information outside the atoll.
It is questioned
whether such information may retain two separate classifications, and, even
if legally justified, whether or not it is reasonable to expect the large number of individuals of varying background and access to realize that such
- 119 -
=
Ib