Declassified U.S. Nuclear Test Film #61

0800061 - Operation Dominic Nuclear Tests - 1962 - 26:23 - Black&White - This Dominic I video provides a visual overview of 36 atmospheric nuclear devices detonated in the Pacific Proving Ground from April to November 1962. It was the last atmospheric nuclear test series conducted by the United States. Also, Dominic I was the largest and most elaborate U.S. testing operation ever conducted. In geographic terms, the diagnostic stations receiving data from the tests covering more than 15 million square miles.

According to the video, Operation Dominic I was prompted by the "Soviet resumption of testing in 1961 after a three-year moratorium." The three main purposes of the series were the "proof testing" of new weapon designs, mainly thermonuclear; obtaining weapons effects data as it related to the electromagnetic pulse phenomenon and attenuation of radar; and obtaining data related to the offensive and defensive aspects of an incoming ballistic missile in a detonation environment.

Dominic I tests were conducted in three general locations: Johnston Island, airdrop and high-altitude detonations; Christmas Island, staging area for 24 airdrop tests; and the open ocean, launch of a Polaris missile from a submarine and subsequent detonation of a device in a reentry vehicle, and the detonation of a device carried by an antisubmarine rocket (ASROC).

Approximately 28,000 military and civilian personnel participated in the test series. More than 200,000 tons of supplies, construction materials, and diagnostic equipment were shipped or airlifted to the test areas.

Most of the devices were detonated in the air after being dropped from a B-52 bomber. Five high-altitude bursts, designated as Operation Fishbowl tests, were lofted by rockets. Their purpose was to study the effects of nuclear detonations as defensive weapons against incoming ballistic missiles.

The tests comprising the 1962 Operation Dominic I were as follows:

ADOBE, April 25, Christmas Island area, airdrop, weapons related, 190 kilotons (kt)
AZTEC, April 27, Christmas Island area, airdrop, weapons related, 410 kt
ARKANSAS, May 2, Christmas Island area, airdrop, weapons related, 1.09 megaton (Mt)
QUESTA, May 4, Christmas Island area, airdrop, weapons related, 670 kt
FRIGATE BIRD, May 6, Pacific, rocket, weapons related
YUKON, May 8, Christmas Island area, airdrop, weapons related, 100 kt
MESILLA, May 9, Christmas Island area, airdrop, weapons related, 100 kt
MUSKEGON, May 11, Christmas Island area, airdrop, weapons related, 50 kt
SWORDFISH, May 11, Pacific, underwater, weapons effects, low (less than 20 kt)
ENCINO, May 12, Christmas Island area, airdrop, weapons related, 500 kt
SWANEE, May 14, Christmas Island area, airdrop, weapons related, 97 kt
CHETCO, May 19, Christmas Island area, airdrop, weapons related, 73 kt
TANANA, May 25, Christmas Island area, airdrop, weapons related, 2.6 kt
NAMBE, May 27, Christmas Island area, airdrop, weapons related, 43 kt
ALMA, June 8, Christmas Island area, airdrop, weapons related, 782 kt
TRUCKEE, June 9, Christmas Island area, airdrop, weapons related, 210 kt
YESO, June 10, Christmas Island area, airdrop, weapons related, 3 megatons (Mt)
HARLEM, June 12, Christmas Island area, airdrop, weapons related, 1.2 Mt
RINCONADA, June 15, Christmas Island area, airdrop, weapons related, 800 kt
DULCE, June 17, Christmas Island area, airdrop, weapons related, 52 kt
PETIT, June 19, Christmas Island area, airdrop, weapons related, 2.2 kt
OTOWI, June 22, Christmas Island area, airdrop, weapons related, 81.5 kt
BIGHORN, June 27, Christmas Island area, airdrop, weapons related, 7.65 Mt
BLUESTONE, June 30, Christmas Island area, airdrop, weapons related, 1.27 Mt
STARFISH PRIME, July 9, Johnston Island area, rocket, weapons effects, 1.4 Mt*
SUNSET, July 10, Christmas Island area, airdrop, weapons related, 1 Mt
PAMLICO, July 11, Christmas Island area, airdrop, weapons related, 3.88 Mt
ANDROSCOGGIN, October 2, Johnston Island area, airdrop, weapons related, 75 kt
BUMPING, October 6, Johnston Island area, airdrop, weapons related, 11.3 kt
CHAMA, October 18, Johnston Island area, airdrop, weapons related, 1.59 Mt
CHECKMATE, October 20, Johnston Island area, rocket, weapons effects, low (less than 20 kt)*
BLUEGILL 3 PRIME, October 26, Johnston Island area, rocket, weapons effects, submegaton (less than 1 Mt, but more than 200 kt)*
CALAMITY, October 27, Johnston Island area, airdrop, weapons related, 800 kt
HOUSATONIC, October 30, Johnston Island area, airdrop, weapons related, 8.3 Mt
KINGFISH, November 1, Johnston Island area, rocket, weapons effects, submegaton (less than 1 Mt, but more than 200 kt)*
TIGHTROPE, November 4, Johnston Island area, rocket, weapons effects, low (less than 20 kt)*

* Operation Fishbowl tests

• Category

  News & Politics

[xaosbob]

Interesting and so damned important to understand, particularly for those of us who grew up in the shadow of the mushroom cloud. Wow.

[ZBRMusic]

I wonder if the silent parts are comments that are still classified? I wouldn't be surprised, as the high altitude tests had a significant role in studying EMP as a debilitating weapon. Apparently, you would only need a 10 kt high-EMP device set off at 50 km, to black out most of the north american continent.

[Lucas Wonderz]

Also there has been proved that altitude detonations causes the most damage... Interesting video, added right now to my favorites!

[Terry Howard]

I watched the thor blow up on the pad, eerie!!!!!

[bslaws]

14:30, the guy on the left was my father (Dave Laws). Part of the "fire control" group for Douglas. Have had a still photo for years and was neat to see the video version. Also part of Project Emily in England. Visit ProjectEmilydotcom.

[Steve Kline]

A one of a kind missile misadventure! lol

[1958]

B-52

[JetMechMA]

I've seen them testing the bomb release mechanism of the B-52 by dropping an inert shape out of the bomb bay. When deploying a SRAM missile, the missile comes off of it's rotary launcher.....as it comes off of the rotary launcher, the doors open. The weapon follows the door opening very closely. Almost as soon as the doors are open, they close again if it is a single launch. Pretty amazing for 1950s technology.

[theblackpixieJTHM]

I want to know which test the shot at 10:55 is, any idea?

[25Kingman49]

It’s an odd angle photo, but this is a B-52 Stratofortress. The odd angle only shows the inboard engines of the two engine inboard pods on the left and right wings. The B-52 was designed with eight engines paired in four underwing pods.

[jeffdicko]

Any idea what the aircraft is at 0:53?

[Thebibs]

Never mind about all the Pacific Islanders, removed from their homes, and then given Cancer