new operational forecasting techniques, to make climatological studies of the
tropical Pacific Ocean areas, and to provide a nucleus of trained meteorologists
for future PPG operations.
9.
RADIOLOGICAL SAFETY
a
To insure radiological safety, the task force employed a Fallout Pre-
diction Unit which made fallout forecasts for each shot,
This unit was manned
by personnel from the U. 5. Weather Bureau, UCRL, LASL, Sandia Corporation
and the U. S, Air Force.
The fallout models and forecasting techniques used
during the operation were established after extensive research and study of
fallout data obtained from previous atomic tests,
Observed fallout patterns
throughout the operation indicated that these forecasting techniques were
satisfactory.
b,.
As a further safety measure, the task force established a radsafe
monitoring network of 16 stations around the PPG,
All were equipped with
radiological detection instruments and manned by trained personnel,
were linked with task force headquarters by radio,
They
Daily radiation measure-
ments were made and any readings higher than normal were reported,
There
were no instances of dangerous fallout on any populated areas,
c.
In addition to the precautions taken through establishment of the
ground net of reporting stations, task force aircraft based at Eniwetok and
Kwajalein conducted aerial radiological surveillance flights over all populated areas in the Northern Marshalls after each detonation.
Flight patterns
to cover the Southern Marshalls, Marianas and Hawaiian Islands were also
developed for use in these areas should they be threatened by radiological
fallout.
However, it was not necessary to implement this plan during the
operation,
For the larger yield shots, WE-50 aircraft were used as cloud
trackers to follow the trajectory of the atomic cloud.
There were no
reported incidents of contamination of air and surface routes outside the
established danger area,
ad.
GOPIED/N2-
Public announcement was made on 1 March 1956 by the AEC, with the
concurrence of the State Department and CNO, that effective 20 April 1956
a danger area would be established around Eniwetok and Bikini Atolls,
area wag approximately 650 miles long and 450 miles wide.
This
Foreign goverment
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