Military On-Site Training and Observation Eighteen shots, beginning with the Fall 1951 series and ¢on- tinuing through the Spring 1955 series, have been used for maneuvers by Army or Marine troops, and for observation by military. personnel. These have included various Exercise Desert Rock maneuvers, in which troops were stationed in trenches, tanks, or personnel carriers, and in which Marines also studied vertical envelopment by use of helicopters. * ' Experience has shown that the maneuvers have been of real value in the training and orientation of troops and commanders in the employment of essential personnel and equipment protection measures, and in the tactical employment of atomic weapons and ground forces under simulated atomic combat conditions, both offensive and defensive. Exercises are directed by the Commander, Sixth U. S. Army, with headquarters at The Presidio, San Francisco. Soldiers, Marines, and their officers have observed detonations from trenches and foxholes at distances of 7,000 to less than 2,500 yards, depending on the nature of the exercise, the type of detonation, and other factors. Air Crew Training and Indoctrination Training of air crews and general indoctrination have been a part of each test series in Nevada. Coordination of the program is achieved through the joint efforts of the Armed Forces Special Weapons Project and the U. S. Air Force Special Weapons Center. The 1955 series included training programs for the Strategic and Tactical Air Commands, other Air Force Commands, and Navy and Marine air units. Training and support missions have included reconnaisance, photography, cloud tracking, weapons delivery, fighter escort, and drone operations. About 2,600 sorties originated at numerous bases throughout the United States and at least one base eutside the continent in the 1955 program. aircraft were used. Some 25 basic types of Control of all aircraft was accomplished through an Air Control Center at the Test Site, operated by AFSWC personnel integrated into the Test Ofganization. Facilities for visiting aircraft and for official observers were operated at Indian Springs Air Force Base. Public Health Service Training Active and reserve officers of the U. S, Public Health Service first participated in the off-site radiation monitoring program ‘ wee -~21- A