CHAPTER 1
OVERVIEW
INTRODUCTION
Purpose
CASTLE was a test series in which six nuclear fusion devices were
detonated at the Atomic Energy Commission's
(PPG)
(AEC)
Pacific Proving Ground
at Enewetak and Bikini atolls in the spring of 1954.
Table 1 lists
the detonations.
(
Table 1.
CASTLE detonations, 1954.
Date
Assigned
Name
Location
.
1 March
BRAVO
Bikini; sandspit off Nam Island
27 March
ROMEO
Bikini; barge in BRAVO crater
7 April
KOON
Bikini; surface of Eneman Island
110 KT
26 April
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
Magnitude
.
15 MT?
11 MT
Notes:
One kiloton equals the approximate energy release of the explosion of one
thousand tons of TNT; one megaton equals the approximate energy release of
the explosion of one million tons of TNT.
b10.4 MT, IVY series detonation in 1952.
This report documents the participation of Department of Defense (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 ciThe report attempts to explain the reasons that DOD
25
tw
vilian employees.