’ seventh device was included, resulting in this progr
Sequence
=&B.
Device
LASL
NAW EW
_
Lab
Location
Bravo
LASL
UNION
UCRL
Echo
IASL
Yankee
LASL
LASL
1.
Code
\
}
!
=
Romeo
Prior to MIKE the need for additional test site locations had
been recognized, and preliminary considerations were in progress.
In August
1952, Dr. Graves made a study, including an aerial survey, of several probable
__
sites.
Taongi was found “unsuitable-because no channel into the lagoon existed
and there was insufficient space for construction of an airstrip.
Rongerik .
was located approximately in the center of the Marshall Islands, and extensive
evacuation of leeward islands would probably be required in event of large
scale tests there.
Other locations were found to be such distances from Eni-
wetok that duplication of the Eniwetok facilities would be necessary, which
was not acceptable and on il September 1932 the use of Bikini in the CASTIE
program was approved.
2
.
The use of Bikini was particularly necessary to ‘the AEC for several
reasons.
MIKE experience proved that test sites of the size required for ..
several detonations such as those planned for CASTILE are physically not available at Eniwetok.
The AEC installation at Enivetok isan importent, expensive
asset whose usefulness should not be risked by detonation of several high yield
thermonuclear devices in the ‘tmmea(ate vicinity.
one small island.
Further, MIKE obliterated
,
With the requirements of thermonuclear testing still largely
unknown, it is quite possible that suitable land areas at Eniwetok might soon
be actually eliminated by destryction, thus nullifying the value of the install-
ation.
With this in mind, the use of barges as test sites was ‘investigated,
end Bikini sites were henceforth included in abl CASTLE planning,
principles that logistic support thereof would be held to a minimun.
with the besic