no contamination except for a single contact of 0.001 R/hr, 800 nm
(1,480
km)
made
northeast of ground zero at H+33.
Air Force sample collection
from D+4 to D+? near Hawaii and off the California coast detected
levels of
fe ry low
radiation.
The results of the NYKOPO monitoring survey flight over the inllabited
atolls are shown in Table 47.
AIRCRAFT DECONTAMINATION.
Because of a possible early turnaro
d
after the UNION shot, the cowlings of a B-36 control aircraft (No.
386)
were removed 10 minutes after landing and decontamination was star
d im-
mediately without a decay period.
was
Its initial survey of 0.090 R/h
All
comparatively low (see Table 48), justifying the procedural change.
other aircraft were "cooled" for 26 to 44 hours before decontamina
on was
started.
or
YANKEE.
The 26-hour period was used for those aircraft scheduled
AS a consequence, some aircraft were released to maintenan e with
radiation readings as high as 0.400 R/hr.
Even after a 44-hour dec y pe-
riod, some of the other aircraft were released with high readings.
WB~29
aircraft No. 7271 presented considerable difficulty with contaminat on on
its nose area where soft putty had been used as a sealer and appare tly
entrapped some radioactive particulate material.
It was released w th a
reading of 1.700 R/hr, which was quite high but considerably down f
om its
initial intensity of 40.000 R/hr.
YANKEE
YANKEE, the final CASTLE detonation at Bikini, was fired at 061¢
5 May 1954.
on
The 13.5-MT device was detonated on a barge anchored sc uth of
Iroij at the same location as the UNION shot.
CJTF 7 intended to d
onate
NECTAR at Enewetak prior to YANKEE; however, unfavorable Enewetak wifhds
concurrent with favorable Bikini weather led to a 4 May cancellationf
of
NECTAR and the scheduling of YANKEE.
Preshot Preparation
An initial informal command briefing was held at 1100 on 4 May o
Parry.
No significant fallout was predicted outside the danger area
296
and