With the resumption of nuclear testing, the Whitney Reaction
Test History Test Group utilized telemetry to make data available
immediately after a nuclear shot,
replacing the recovery,
devel-
opment, and reading of film.
The Test Division continued however
to make broad use of oscilloscopes and recording cameras.
Test
Operations
Group-
Livermore
The Test Division was supported by Test Operations Group.
The Group was comprised of the Field Services Unit, L-4 shipping
and warehousing unit, and L-6 engineering and construction group.
In 1958, Field Services consisted of five staff members augmented
by four military personnel.
They, as a group, were responsible
for collecting and consolidating all the requirements for operational support and administration, including housing, transportation, communication, badges, office space, and equipment, with
LRL administration.
Field Services took part in nuclear tests
and Plowshare projects,
II
(NTS).
including Hardtack I
(PPG)
and Hardtack
With further testing discontinued by moratorium,
Field
Services engaged in nonnuclear Plowshare testing. Staff to handle
these responsibilities were assigned to the islands of Fred and
Parry on Eniwetok and Nan and Peter-Oboe on Bikini.
More personnel were required for zero-site barges and ship assignments during periods of evaculation.
For Hardtack I in PPG, ten men
arrived from Livermore and Berkeley to expand the permament staff
at
the
site.
At
the
Hardtack II at NTS.
same time,
Field Services
staff prepared
Operations were similar to those at PPG
for
except that support administration was the responsibility of the
LRL-Nevada organization.
LRL- Nevada also prepared and published
the test schedule, issued two days prior to each LRL shot.
The L-4 Section obtained,
packaged and shipped all user-
furnished equipment to support the Laboratory in the field,
stored and distributed this material and returned it to Livermore.
Five staff members completed this assignment in 1958.
L-6 Section, with seven staff members in 1958, developed all
the engineerings and construction requirements pertaining to Laboratory tests, consolidated and transmitted these requirements to
contracting firms, and coordinated all construction work in the
field.
A two-person headquarters office was responsible for
directing
the work of the three
sections.
L-6 engaged
in two
major nuclear tests and two minor Plowshare field projects in
1959.
Six engineers were stationed at PPG, assisting in the
final phases of construction and support for Hardtack I.
L-6
formulated and transmitted to the contracting and engineering
firms all the engineering and construction requirements for the
Laboratory’s program, and coordinated field construction work.
After Hardtack I was completed in July 1959, one person from L-6
remained through August to complete transportation and removal of
equipment.
One engineer was detached
from operational
support
take up residence at the Chariot Camp in northwestern Alaska.
L~6 prepared most of the Plowshare projects, including
balloon shot and Project 58-A safety test at NTS.
Plumbbob
to