Operation Buster-Jangle - 1951

Buster Phase Nuclear Tests Code Name: Able Time and Date: 6:00 October 22, 1951 (local) Location: Area 7, Nevada Test Site (NTS) Height: 100 feet Type: Tower Burst Predicted Yield: 250 tons Actual Yield: <100 tons Able was the first detonation of the Buster-Jangle series. It was fired on its 100 foot tower at 6:00 local time on October 22, 1951. The shot was originally scheduled to be fired on October 19, 1951. However, the firing failed due to a problem traced to control circuitry. The device partially failed; the yield was only 0.1 kilotons. The cloud produced by the explosion reached an altitude of 8,000 feet and moved to the southeast. The device did produce detectable nuclear output, but it was negligible compared to the high explosive. Onsite gamma radiation levels were insignificant; however alpha-producing debris was detected downwind of the explosion. The tower, though damaged, was largely intact. DOD personnel took part in scientific experiments conducted by the Weapons Effects Test Unit and Weapons Development Test Unit. The DOD also provided support for the test units and Test Manager. These support activities involved 50 DOD project personnel, 100 Special Weapons Command (SWC) air and ground personnel, and an additional 25 personnel working for various units coordinated by the test organization. Due to the low yield of the device, most of the Weapons Effects programs were aborted by the AEC. Project 2.4-1, Basic Thermal Measurements, was performed by the Naval Radiological Defense Laboratory. Project 7.3, Radiochemical, Chemical, and Physical Analysis of the Atomic Bomb Debris, was conducted by the Headquarters, Air Force, and 4925th Test Group (Atomic) in conjunction with the cloud sampling operations. The 1009th Special Weapons Squadron, the Naval Ordanance Laboratory, and Acoustics Research Division of the Wright Air Development Center , and the Coast and Geodetic Survey conducted Project 7.5, Seismic Waves from Atomic Bombs Detonated over a Land Mass. The DOD only participated in one Weapons Development Project. The Radiochemical Results (10.4) project was conducted by the LANL, whose objective was to measure the particle makeup of the atomic cloud resulting from the Able detonation. The 4925th Test Group (Atomic) conducted cloud sampling missions for the project. Due to the low yield of the explosion, only one B-29 took part in the cloud sampling missions. Originally two B-29s were planned to participate. The aircraft, with its crew of ten, made nine penetrations at altitudes ranging from 5,300 to 7,500 feet. It had spent a total of 39 seconds in the cloud. The aircraft returned to Indian Springs AFB after the mission where it was decontaminated and the filter papers removed for analysis. Able was a test of the Petite Plutonium fission bomb designed by Ted Taylor. A standard 60 inch, 10,000 lb. implosion system surround the plutonium core, which was estimated to be close to the smallest amount of fissile material that could be used to produce a significant yield. The test was the first fizzle of any U.S. nuclear device. While the test itself was a failure, it helped mark the minimum amount of plutonium that could be used in a nuclear device. This became a key factor in the future development of nuclear devices. Code Name: Baker Time and Date: 7:20 October 28, 1951 (local) Location: Area 7, Nevada Test Site (NTS) Height: 1118 feet Type: Air Burst - Air drop Predicted Yield: 3-8 kilotons Actual Yield: 3.5 kilotons Photo Courtesy of VCE's Trinity and Beyond The purpose of the Baker shot was two fold. The shot tested a Mk-4 bomb assembly without using a uranium tamper and also documented basic phenomena produced by a nuclear explosion. The DOD objective was to evaluate the utility of the test device for military application. The device was developed by the LASL. The bomb was airdropped by the B-50 “Rosebud” at 7:02 local time on October 28, 1951. The yield of the explosion was 3.5 kilotons and exploded 1,118 feet above Area 7 of Yucca flat. Radiation after the site consisted of neutron-induced activity near ground zero. One hour after the shot, levels reached 6 R/h to 0.6 R/h in an area 800 to 2080 feet around ground zero. The DOD participated in scientific experiments conducted by the Weapons Effects Test Unit and the Weapons Development Test Unit. 600 DOD personnel participated in support missions for various units. Trays of pine needles hardwood leaves, and grass at six stations 2080 to 11840 feet from ground zero were set up to measure the effects of a nuclear detonation on forests. Thermal effects tests were conducted on Dogs and rats during the Baker shot. The purpose of these tests was to determine the effects of thermal radiation on animal skin. Several types of fabrics were tested to determine there value in protection against the immense heat generated by a nuclear explosion. Flash blindness studies were also conducted around the Baker shot. 17 volunteers from the Kirtland AFB viewed the detonation through a variety of different lenses and goggles. They observed the blast 10 miles south onboard a C-17 aircraft. Immediately after observing the flash, the volunteers performed a variety of visual tasks by looking into special instruments. Two B-29s and one T-33 performed cloud sampling missions. The samplers flew at altitudes of 17,000 to 24,500 feet and operated out of Indian Springs AFB. One B-29 spent a total of 390 seconds in the cloud. Buster Baker Video Please allow 30 seconds to 2 minutes for video to load depending on connection speed. Adobe Flash is required to play video. Footage source: U.S. Department of Energy Copyright Disclaimer Code Name: Charlie Time and Date: 7:00 October 30, 1951 (local) Location: Area 7, Nevada Test Site (NTS) Height: 1132 feet Type: Air Burst - Air drop Predicted Yield: 12-15 kilotons Actual Yield: 14 kilotons Charlie was the third Buster Jangle shot. It was a test of a Mk-4 bomb assembly using a composite uranium-plutonium core. The DOD objective for Charlie was the same as it was for Baker. The bomb was dropped from the B-50 “Rosebud” and detonated at an altitude of 1,132 feet. The cloud reached an altitude of 41,000 feet and moved to the southwest in relation to ground zero. Radiation after the shot consisted on onsite neutron-induced activity near ground zero. One hour after the shot, radiation levels reached intensities of 5 R/h to 0.5 R/h in an area 1,120 to 1856 feet around ground zero. Three B-29s and two T-33s participated in cloud sampling missions. The B-29s flew out of Indian Springs AFB one hour before shot time and orbited Las Vegas until the detonation. The two T-33s left Indian Springs 20 minutes after detonation. The samplers flew at altitudes ranging from 13,000 to 29,000 feet. Buster Charlie Video Please allow 30 seconds to 2 minutes for video to load depending on connection speed. Adobe Flash is required to play video. Footage source: U.S. Department of Energy Copyright Disclaimer Code Name: Dog Time and Date: 7:30 November 1, 1951 (local) Location: Area 7, Nevada Test Site (NTS) Height: 1417 feet Type: Air Burst - Air drop Predicted Yield: 18-25 kilotons Actual Yield: 21 kilotons Dog, the fourth Buster-Jangle shot was dropped from a B-50 and detonated at an altitude of 1,417 feet. It detonated with a force of 21 kilotons on November 1, 1951. Desert Rock I, the first land-based U.S. nuclear field exercise, was conducted around the test. Troops from the 188th Airborne, 127th Engineer Battalion, and the 546th Field Artillery Battalion observed and conducted maneuvers during the test. After observing the test from a distance of 6 miles, the troops were transported to the defensive emplacements constructed weeks before to view the weapon effects. 3,700 troops observed and conducted exercises around the Dog shot, and another 2,500 provided radiological safety, instruction, transportation, communications, and medical services and support for the exercises in the forward area. Prior to the shot, the 231st Engineer Combat Battalion spent five days constructing field fortifications for display area. 160 military police personnel acted as traffic monitors in Camp Desert Rock and at the Nevada Test Site for the rehearsals and live shot. The 374th Convalescent Center provided medical support in the forward area. In the days before the shot, instructors from the Advisory Group used film and lectures to brief the observers on the characteristics of a nuclear explosion. This orientation was also part of a rehearsal of shot day activities. The observers left Camp Desert Rock at 5:30 local time. They arrived at the observation point at 6:15. Advisory Group personnel then conducted a brief pre-shot orientation. Shortly before the shot, all the observers were instructed to turn their backs to the burst point. After the initial flash, they were then instructed to turn around and observe the fireball and mushroom cloud. At 8:00, the observers and Advisory Group proceeded to ground zero in vehicles. They were equipped with radiation monitors. Once at the various display areas, instructors briefed the troops on the effects of the nuclear explosion on equipment and vehicles exposed to the shot. The observers stopped 4160 feet short of ground zero. One of the weapons effects tests conducted during Dog was Project 3.5 Minefield Clearance. The purpose of this project was to determine the effects of a nuclear explosion on anti-tank mine fields. Mines were placed at distances ranging from 1280 to 5856 feet from ground zero. 15 hours before detonation, nine project personnel completed the task of placing the mines, along with blast gauges, in the blast area. A C-54 aircraft carried 17 volunteers part of the Flash Blindness project. Wearing various lenses and goggles, the volunteers looked directly at the flash at detonation time. They then proceeded to do various visual tests so that the effects and degree of eye damage could be measured. No local fallout was produced by the explosion. Onsite radioactivity consisted of neutron-induced activity around ground zero. One hour after the shot, radiation intensities ranged from 20 R/h to 2 R/h in an area 928 to 2080 feet from ground zero. Buster Dog Video Please allow 30 seconds to 2 minutes for video to load depending on connection speed. Adobe Flash is required to play video. Footage source: U.S. Department of Energy Copyright Disclaimer Code Name: Easy Time and Date: 8:30 November 5, 1951 (local) Location: Area 7, Nevada Test Site (NTS) Height: 1314 feet Type: Air Burst - Air drop Predicted Yield: 22-35 kilotons Actual Yield: 31 kilotons Easy was a test of a prototype Mk-7 bomb (TX-7E). The bomb, which had a 1800 lb weight and a diameter of 30 inches, was dramatic reduction in size over the 10,000 lb weight and 60 inch diameter of the Mk-6 and similar sized predecessors. Octol 75/25 was the main high explosive used in the explosive assembly, which weighed 800 lb. It used a composite uranium-plutonium core. Shot Easy was the largest test of Buster-Jangle, and also the last airdrop test. It was detonated at an altitude of 1314 feet at 8:30 local time on November 5, 1951 after being dropped by a B-45. The LASL device had a yield of 31 kilotons. The cloud reached an altitude of 50,000 feet and drifted in a south-southeast direction in relation to the ground zero. Twenty-four hours after the site, radiation intensities measured 1 R/h to 0.1 R/h in an area 1408 feet to 2592 feet from ground zero. Thermal and Blast effects studies, basic radiation measurement, minefield clearance, effects of an atomic detonation on aircraft structures on the ground, effects on water supply equipment, and effects of atomic detonation on radio propagation were some of the weapons effects programs conducted during the Easy shot. Two B-29s and three T-33s participated in cloud sampling missions. A total of 22 personnel manned the aircraft used to penetrate the cloud. The samplers flew at altitudes ranging from 30,000 to 40,000 feet. Both B-29 sampling aircraft experience difficulty during the missions. One developed engine trouble and could not fly above 31,500 feet. As a result, no good samples were recovered from that mission. A radiological monitor on the second B-29 misread the radiation intensities as being far greater then they actually were. This caused the Control Point to instruct the B-29 to return to Indian Springs AFB immediately. Buster Easy Video Please allow 30 seconds to 2 minutes for video to load depending on connection speed. Adobe Flash is required to play video. Footage source: U.S. Department of Energy Copyright Disclaimer Jangle Phase Nuclear Tests Code Name: Sugar Time and Date: 9:00 November 19, 1951 (local) Location: Area 9, Nevada Test Site (NTS) Height: 3.5 feet Type: Surface Burst Predicted Yield: --- Actual Yield: 1.2 kilotons Sugar was the first test of the Jangle phase. It was a DOD sponsored test, around which Desert Rock II exercises were conducted. The two Jangle devices were designed and built by the LASL. The Sugar device, code named “Johnny”, was identical to the Ranger Able device. The all uranium core Mk-6 bomb was chosen for its predictability and small yield. This was the first surface test ever conducted by the United States, and the only surface shot ever conducted within the continental United States. It provided the first experimental data on the military effects of a surface shot. The second Jangle test, Uncle, would provide the first experimental date on the military effects of a sub-surface shot. The core of the device was actually 3.6 feet above the surface. It was detonated at 9:00 local time on November 19, 1951 with a yield of 1.2 kilotons. The top of the cloud reached 15,000 feet and drifted in a north-northeast direction from ground zero. Some of the military effects projected conducted in conjunction with the shot were the response of structures to a nuclear burst on the surface, Gamma radiation versus time and distance, and residue contamination from a nuclear burst on the surface. The Weapons Effects Test Unit was commanded by the SWC, while the Weapons Development Test Unit was conducted by the LASL and the Sandia Corporation. The SWC, based at Kirtland AFB in Albuquerque, New Mexico, provided cloud sampling missions, courier flights, cloud tracking missions, and aerial surveys for the shot. Desert Rock II participated in the Sugar shot. Troop activities included a pre-shot orientation and indoctrination program, followed by the observation of the actual detonation and weapons effects tests. The troops observed the detonation 5 miles from ground zero. Heavy contamination was detected north of ground zero after the shot. As a result, Desert Rock II activities took place at a much farther distance then initially intended. Jangle Sugar Video Please allow 30 seconds to 2 minutes for video to load depending on connection speed. Adobe Flash is required to play video. Footage source: U.S. Department of Energy Copyright Disclaimer Code Name: Uncle Time and Date: 11:59:59.7 November 29, 1951 (local) Location: Area 10, Nevada Test Site (NTS) Height: -17 feet Type: Sub-surface Burst Predicted Yield: --- Actual Yield: 1.2 kilotons Uncle was the second Jangle shot and the final nuclear test of the Buster-Jangle series. It was the second DOD sponsored test. The LASL device, code named “Frankie”, was identical to the Sugar device. It was detonated 17 underground on November 29, 1951. The cloud reached an altitude of 11,500 feet. Desert Rock III troops observed the detonation from a distance of 5 miles. Due to the high levels of radiation detected north of ground zero, they could not approach to a close distance. 260 personnel took part in the Desert Rock III exercises. Intensities measured 5000 roentgens/hour one hour after the test, with levels of 1000 R/hr extending up to 1200 yards from ground zero. The two Jangle shot names, “Sugar” and “Uncle”, were mnemonic codes for “Surface” and “Underground”, respectively. Jangle Uncle Video Please allow 30 seconds to 2 minutes for video to load depending on connection speed. Adobe Flash is required to play video. Footage source: U.S. Department of Energy Copyright Disclaimer Declassified Operation Buster-Jangle films at the Atomic Forum Films Archive Please click on the following thumbnail to download film Military Participationon on Operation Buster-Jangle - 1951