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

25

1 bop

Select target paragraph3