Wy te +3 a3 te gQ APPENDIX "D" DRAFT LETTER TO THE CHAIRMAN, JCAE 1, To meet requirements of the atomic weapons research and development program, and of the Department of Defense weapons effects program, a series of atomic tests to be conducted at the Pacific Proving Ground, commencing May 1, 1956, and designated as Operation REDWING has been approved by the Commission and the President, Specific details of the test program will be firmed late this year, At that time we shall request authority from the President to expend the required special nuclear materials, 2, AS now envisaged, the test series will comprise approximately fourteen shots, with a possibility that additional shots will be required to carry out the objectives of the program, The test series is designed to achieve four objectives vital to our continued progress in the research and development of atomic weapons and in the improvement of atomic defense, 3. You will be interested in the following aspects of the test series which relate to the matters of radioactive | contamination and fall-out, The danger area about the Pacific Proving Ground was temporarily enlarged during Operation CASTLE; it is intended that this larger area or a similar one will be used on Operation REDWING from the outset, Even though the number of shots on REDWING is much greater than that on CASTLE (approximately fourteen as against six) the total cumulative Appendix "D"