CHAPTER 1
OVERVIEW
INTRODUCTION
Purpose
CASTLE was a test series in which six nuclear fusion devices
ere
detonated at the Atomic Energy Commission's (AEC) Pacific Proving
(PPG) at Enewetak and Bikini atolls in the spring of 1954.
Ground
Tabla@jl lists
the detonations.
Table 1.
Date
Assigned
Name
CASTLE detonations, 1954.
.
Location
|,
agnitude
1 March
BRAVO
Bikini; sandspit off Nam Island
15 MT?
27 March
ROMEO
Bikini; barge in BRAVO crater
11 MT
KOON
Bikini; surface of Eneman Island
110 KT
UNION
Bikini; barge in lagoon off Iroij Island
6.9 MT
5 May
YANKEE
Bikini; barge in UNION crater
13.5 MT
14 May
NECTAR
Enewetak; barge in MIKED crater
1.69 MT
7 April
26 April
Notes:
“One kiloton equals the approximate energy release of the explos on of one
thousand tons of TNT; one megaton equals the approximate energy release of
the explosion of one million tons of TNT.
10.4 MT, IVY series detonation in 1952.
This report documents the participation of Department of Defe se (DOD)
personnel who were active in this test series.
Its purpose is to bring
together the available information about this atmospheric nuclear test
series pertinent to the exposure of DOD personnel, both uniformed and civilian employees.
The report attempts to explain the reasons tha
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