Operation Buster–Jangle was a series of seven (six atmospheric, one cratering) nuclear weapons tests conducted by the United States in late 1951 at the Nevada Test Site. Buster–Jangle was the first joint test program between the DOD (Operation Buster) and Los Alamos National Laboratories (Operation Jangle). As part of Operation Buster, 6,500 troops were involved in the Operation Desert Rock I, II, and III exercises in conjunction with the tests.[1] The last two tests, Operation Jangle, evaluated the cratering effects of low-yield nuclear devices. This series preceded Operation Tumbler–Snapper and followed Operation Greenhouse.
Four U.S. Army units took part in the Operation Buster–Jangle "Dog" test for combat maneuvers after the detonation of a nuclear weapon took place. These units consisted of:
Personnel were instructed to create foxholes and construct gun emplacements and bunkers in a defensive position 11 km south of the detonation area. After the nuclear bomb was detonated, the troops were ordered to move forward towards the affected area. While traveling closer to ground zero, troops witnessed the nuclear weapon's effects on the fortifications that were placed in the location in preparation for the tests. The ground troops got as close as 900 meters from ground zero before they were instructed to move out of the area. The Human Resources Research Office was tasked with gathering data on the psychological experiences of the troops after witnessing such a detonation and moving closer towards the affected area.[1]
Radiation protection standardsedit
For the Operation Buster–Jangle series of tests, the Atomic Energy Commission created a set of criteria that must be followed if exposing armed forces, or civilians to the harmful effects of ionizing radiation.
Orientation and proper radiological training
Dispersion of dosimeters amongst personnel
Utilization of radiological protective equipment and clothing
Active monitoring of radiological levels
Briefing of personnel taking part in the exercise
Decontamination of radioactive debris
A majority of the personnel that took part in the exercise received around 3 R, with pilots receiving an average of 3.9 R. These estimates vary given the differing data provided by the Department of Defense over the years.[1]
Minimum mass design, fizzle (yield "less than a pound"); yet it yielded a lower bound on viable plutonium mass. October 19 attempt failed due to control wiring problem.
"Surface" shot. Only true surface shot in CONUS history along with Little Feller I & II Desert Rock II; maneuvers conducted at a distance due to dirtiness.
Cratering shot, meant to simulate 23 kt ground penetrating weapon. Desert Rock III, observed at 5 mi (8.0 km), kept distance in maneuvers. 5000 R/Hr near GZ one hour after shot.
^The US, France and Great Britain have code-named their test events, while the USSR and China did not, and therefore have only test numbers (with some exceptions – Soviet peaceful explosions were named). Word translations into English in parentheses unless the name is a proper noun. A dash followed by a number indicates a member of a salvo event. The US also sometimes named the individual explosions in such a salvo test, which results in "name1 – 1(with name2)". If test is canceled or aborted, then the row data like date and location discloses the intended plans, where known.
^To convert the UT time into standard local, add the number of hours in parentheses to the UT time; for local daylight saving time, add one additional hour. If the result is earlier than 00:00, add 24 hours and subtract 1 from the day; if it is 24:00 or later, subtract 24 hours and add 1 to the day. Historical time zone data obtained from the IANA time zone database.
^Rough place name and a latitude/longitude reference; for rocket-carried tests, the launch location is specified before the detonation location, if known. Some locations are extremely accurate; others (like airdrops and space blasts) may be quite inaccurate. "~" indicates a likely pro-forma rough location, shared with other tests in that same area.
^Elevation is the ground level at the point directly below the explosion relative to sea level; height is the additional distance added or subtracted by tower, balloon, shaft, tunnel, air drop or other contrivance. For rocket bursts the ground level is "N/A". In some cases it is not clear if the height is absolute or relative to ground, for example, Plumbbob/John. No number or units indicates the value is unknown, while "0" means zero. Sorting on this column is by elevation and height added together.
^Atmospheric, airdrop, balloon, gun, cruise missile, rocket, surface, tower, and barge are all disallowed by the Partial Nuclear Test Ban Treaty. Sealed shaft and tunnel are underground, and remained useful under the PTBT. Intentional cratering tests are borderline; they occurred under the treaty, were sometimes protested, and generally overlooked if the test was declared to be a peaceful use.
^Include weapons development, weapon effects, safety test, transport safety test, war, science, joint verification and industrial/peaceful, which may be further broken down.
^Designations for test items where known, "?" indicates some uncertainty about the preceding value, nicknames for particular devices in quotes. This category of information is often not officially disclosed.
^Estimated energy yield in tons, kilotons, and megatons. A ton of TNT equivalent is defined as 4.184 gigajoules (1 gigacalorie).
^Radioactive emission to the atmosphere aside from prompt neutrons, where known. The measured species is only iodine-131 if mentioned, otherwise it is all species. No entry means unknown, probably none if underground and "all" if not; otherwise notation for whether measured on the site only or off the site, where known, and the measured amount of radioactivity released.
Galleryedit
Buster-Jangle Charlie, 14-kilotons.
Buster-Jangle Easy, 31-kilotons.
Buster-Jangle Baker, 3.5-kilotons.
Buster-Jangle Sugar, 1.2-kilotons.
Referencesedit
^ abcOperation Buster–Jangle Fact Sheet February 18, 2013, at the Wayback Machine, Defense Threat Reduction Agency
^"Time Zone Historical Database". iana.com. Retrieved March 8, 2014.
^ abcdefgEstimated exposures and thyroid doses received by the American people from Iodine-131 in fallout following Nevada atmospheric nuclear bomb tests, Chapter 2(PDF), National Cancer Institute, 1997, retrieved January 5, 2014
^ abcdefgSublette, Carey, Nuclear Weapons Archive, retrieved January 6, 2014
^ abcdefg(PDF) (DOE/NV-209 REV15), Las Vegas, NV: Department of Energy, Nevada Operations Office, December 1, 2000, archived from the original (PDF) on October 12, 2006, retrieved December 18, 2013
^ abcdefgYang, Xiaoping; North, Robert; Romney, Carl (August 2000), CMR Nuclear Explosion Database (Revision 3), SMDC Monitoring Research
^Rhodes, Richard. "Ted Taylor's Interview – Part 1". Voices of the Manhattan Project. Atomic Heritage Foundation. Retrieved March 5, 2024.
^ abcdefHansen, Chuck (1995), The Swords of Armageddon, Vol. 8, Sunnyvale, CA: Chukelea Publications, ISBN978-0-9791915-1-0
^Norris, Robert Standish; Cochran, Thomas B. (February 1, 1994), (PDF), Nuclear Weapons Databook Working Paper, Washington, DC: Natural Resources Defense Council, archived from the original (PDF) on October 29, 2013, retrieved October 26, 2013
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Operation Buster-Jangle.
Griggs, D. T.; Frank Press (1961). "Probing the earth with nuclear explosions". Journal of Geophysical Research. 66 (1): 237–258. Bibcode:1961JGR....66..237G. doi:10.1029/jz066i001p00237. hdl:2027/mdp.39015077588872.
External linksedit
Nuclear Test Film – Operation Ranger, Operation Buster/Jangle (1951) is available for free viewing and download at the Internet Archive
January 01, 1970
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Operation Buster Jangle was a series of seven six atmospheric one cratering nuclear weapons tests conducted by the United States in late 1951 at the Nevada Test Site Buster Jangle was the first joint test program between the DOD Operation Buster and Los Alamos National Laboratories Operation Jangle As part of Operation Buster 6 500 troops were involved in the Operation Desert Rock I II and III exercises in conjunction with the tests 1 The last two tests Operation Jangle evaluated the cratering effects of low yield nuclear devices This series preceded Operation Tumbler Snapper and followed Operation Greenhouse Operation Buster JangleBuster Jangle Easy 31 kilotons InformationCountryUnited StatesTest siteNTS Areas 1 4 6 10 Yucca FlatPeriod1951Number of tests7Test typecratering dry surface free air drop towerMax yield31 kilotonnes of TNT 130 TJ Test series chronology Operation GreenhouseOperation Tumbler Snapper Map all coordinates in Operation Buster Jangle using OpenStreetMap Download coordinates as KML GPX all coordinates GPX primary coordinates GPX secondary coordinates Exercise Desert Rock I during the Buster Dog test Contents 1 US ground forces involvement 1 1 Radiation protection standards 2 Gallery 3 References 4 External linksUS ground forces involvement editFour U S Army units took part in the Operation Buster Jangle Dog test for combat maneuvers after the detonation of a nuclear weapon took place These units consisted of 1st Battalion 188th Airborne Infantry Regiment 11th Airborne Division 3rd Medical Platoon 188th Airborne Medical Company Platoon Company A 127th Engineer Battalion Battery C 546th Field Artillery Battalion Personnel were instructed to create foxholes and construct gun emplacements and bunkers in a defensive position 11 km south of the detonation area After the nuclear bomb was detonated the troops were ordered to move forward towards the affected area While traveling closer to ground zero troops witnessed the nuclear weapon s effects on the fortifications that were placed in the location in preparation for the tests The ground troops got as close as 900 meters from ground zero before they were instructed to move out of the area The Human Resources Research Office was tasked with gathering data on the psychological experiences of the troops after witnessing such a detonation and moving closer towards the affected area 1 Radiation protection standards edit For the Operation Buster Jangle series of tests the Atomic Energy Commission created a set of criteria that must be followed if exposing armed forces or civilians to the harmful effects of ionizing radiation Orientation and proper radiological training Dispersion of dosimeters amongst personnel Utilization of radiological protective equipment and clothing Active monitoring of radiological levels Briefing of personnel taking part in the exercise Decontamination of radioactive debrisA majority of the personnel that took part in the exercise received around 3 R with pilots receiving an average of 3 9 R These estimates vary given the differing data provided by the Department of Defense over the years 1 See also List of nuclear weapons tests of the United States United States Buster Jangle series tests and detonations Name note 1 Date time UT Local time zone note 2 2 Location note 3 Elevation height note 4 Delivery note 5 Purpose note 6 Device note 7 Yield note 8 Fallout note 9 References Notes Able October 22 1951 14 00 00 0 PST 8 hrs NTS Area 7 37 05 02 N 116 01 29 W 37 0838 N 116 0248 W 37 0838 116 0248 Able 1 280 m 4 200 ft 30 m 98 ft tower weapons development Mk 6 Puny Plutonium 0 05 kt 3 4 5 6 7 Minimum mass design fizzle yield less than a pound yet it yielded a lower bound on viable plutonium mass October 19 attempt failed due to control wiring problem Baker October 28 1951 15 20 08 9 PST 8 hrs NTS Area 7 37 05 06 N 116 01 15 W 37 085 N 116 0209 W 37 085 116 0209 Baker 1 280 m 4 200 ft 340 m 1 120 ft free air drop weapons development Mk 4 LT 3 5 kt I 131 venting detected 600 kCi 22 000 TBq 3 4 5 6 8 No uranium tamper Charlie October 30 1951 15 00 29 8 PST 8 hrs NTS Area 7 37 05 06 N 116 01 16 W 37 085 N 116 0211 W 37 085 116 0211 Charlie 1 280 m 4 200 ft 350 m 1 150 ft free air drop weapons development Mk 4 PC 14 kt I 131 venting detected 2 MCi 74 PBq 3 4 5 6 8 Dog November 1 1951 15 30 01 6 PST 8 hrs NTS Area 7 37 05 05 N 116 01 14 W 37 0847 N 116 0206 W 37 0847 116 0206 Dog 1 280 m 4 200 ft 430 m 1 410 ft free air drop weapons development Mk 4 NF 21 kt I 131 venting detected 3 1 MCi 110 PBq 3 4 5 6 8 Desert Rock I no fallout air burst Troops trucked into defensive emplacements from 6 mi 9 7 km observation point held maneuvers Easy November 5 1951 16 29 58 2 PST 8 hrs NTS Area 7 37 05 31 N 116 01 31 W 37 0919 N 116 0253 W 37 0919 116 0253 Easy 1 280 m 4 200 ft 400 m 1 300 ft free air drop weapons development TX 7E 31 kt I 131 venting detected 4 6 MCi 170 PBq 3 4 5 6 8 First test of a tactical nuclear weapon Air dropped from a B 45 Tornado Sugar November 19 1951 16 59 59 7 PST 8 hrs NTS Area 9 37 07 53 N 116 02 22 W 37 13151 N 116 03947 W 37 13151 116 03947 Sugar 1 280 m 4 200 ft 1 1 m 3 ft 7 in dry surface weapon effect Mk 6 Johnny 1 2 kt I 131 venting detected 170 kCi 6 300 TBq 3 4 5 6 8 9 Surface shot Only true surface shot in CONUS history along with Little Feller I amp II Desert Rock II maneuvers conducted at a distance due to dirtiness Uncle November 29 1951 19 59 59 7 PST 8 hrs NTS Area 10 37 10 11 N 116 02 36 W 37 1697 N 116 0434 W 37 1697 116 0434 Uncle 1 283 m 4 209 ft 5 m 16 ft cratering weapon effect Mk 6 Frankie 1 2 kt I 131 venting detected 170 kCi 6 300 TBq 3 4 5 6 8 Cratering shot meant to simulate 23 kt ground penetrating weapon Desert Rock III observed at 5 mi 8 0 km kept distance in maneuvers 5000 R Hr near GZ one hour after shot The US France and Great Britain have code named their test events while the USSR and China did not and therefore have only test numbers with some exceptions Soviet peaceful explosions were named Word translations into English in parentheses unless the name is a proper noun A dash followed by a number indicates a member of a salvo event The US also sometimes named the individual explosions in such a salvo test which results in name1 1 with name2 If test is canceled or aborted then the row data like date and location discloses the intended plans where known To convert the UT time into standard local add the number of hours in parentheses to the UT time for local daylight saving time add one additional hour If the result is earlier than 00 00 add 24 hours and subtract 1 from the day if it is 24 00 or later subtract 24 hours and add 1 to the day Historical time zone data obtained from the IANA time zone database Rough place name and a latitude longitude reference for rocket carried tests the launch location is specified before the detonation location if known Some locations are extremely accurate others like airdrops and space blasts may be quite inaccurate indicates a likely pro forma rough location shared with other tests in that same area Elevation is the ground level at the point directly below the explosion relative to sea level height is the additional distance added or subtracted by tower balloon shaft tunnel air drop or other contrivance For rocket bursts the ground level is N A In some cases it is not clear if the height is absolute or relative to ground for example Plumbbob John No number or units indicates the value is unknown while 0 means zero Sorting on this column is by elevation and height added together Atmospheric airdrop balloon gun cruise missile rocket surface tower and barge are all disallowed by the Partial Nuclear Test Ban Treaty Sealed shaft and tunnel are underground and remained useful under the PTBT Intentional cratering tests are borderline they occurred under the treaty were sometimes protested and generally overlooked if the test was declared to be a peaceful use Include weapons development weapon effects safety test transport safety test war science joint verification and industrial peaceful which may be further broken down Designations for test items where known indicates some uncertainty about the preceding value nicknames for particular devices in quotes This category of information is often not officially disclosed Estimated energy yield in tons kilotons and megatons A ton of TNT equivalent is defined as 4 184 gigajoules 1 gigacalorie Radioactive emission to the atmosphere aside from prompt neutrons where known The measured species is only iodine 131 if mentioned otherwise it is all species No entry means unknown probably none if underground and all if not otherwise notation for whether measured on the site only or off the site where known and the measured amount of radioactivity released Gallery edit nbsp Buster Jangle Charlie 14 kilotons nbsp Buster Jangle Easy 31 kilotons nbsp Buster Jangle Baker 3 5 kilotons nbsp Buster Jangle Sugar 1 2 kilotons References edit a b c Operation Buster Jangle Fact Sheet Archived February 18 2013 at the Wayback Machine Defense Threat Reduction Agency Time Zone Historical Database iana com Retrieved March 8 2014 a b c d e f g Estimated exposures and thyroid doses received by the American people from Iodine 131 in fallout following Nevada atmospheric nuclear bomb tests Chapter 2 PDF National Cancer Institute 1997 retrieved January 5 2014 a b c d e f g Sublette Carey Nuclear Weapons Archive retrieved January 6 2014 a b c d e f g United States Nuclear Tests July 1945 through September 1992 PDF DOE NV 209 REV15 Las Vegas NV Department of Energy Nevada Operations Office December 1 2000 archived from the original PDF on October 12 2006 retrieved December 18 2013 a b c d e f g Yang Xiaoping North Robert Romney Carl August 2000 CMR Nuclear Explosion Database Revision 3 SMDC Monitoring Research Rhodes Richard Ted Taylor s Interview Part 1 Voices of the Manhattan Project Atomic Heritage Foundation Retrieved March 5 2024 a b c d e f Hansen Chuck 1995 The Swords of Armageddon Vol 8 Sunnyvale CA Chukelea Publications ISBN 978 0 9791915 1 0 Norris Robert Standish Cochran Thomas B February 1 1994 United States nuclear tests July 1945 to 31 December 1992 NWD 94 1 PDF Nuclear Weapons Databook Working Paper Washington DC Natural Resources Defense Council archived from the original PDF on October 29 2013 retrieved October 26 2013 nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Operation Buster Jangle Griggs D T Frank Press 1961 Probing the earth with nuclear explosions Journal of Geophysical Research 66 1 237 258 Bibcode 1961JGR 66 237G doi 10 1029 jz066i001p00237 hdl 2027 mdp 39015077588872 External links editNuclear Test Film Operation Ranger Operation Buster Jangle 1951 is available for free viewing and download at the Internet Archive Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Operation Buster Jangle amp oldid 1212054532, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
