Note
"The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Albuquerque Operatons Office, in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), is committed to making available to the public historically significant films describing various aspects of the U.S. nuclear weapons development program. The process of declassifying these films is an ongoing task. The enclosed fact sheets provide information on each video."
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 5, 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 1 1, Christmas Island area, airdrop, weapons related, 50 kt • SWORDFISH, May 11, Pacific, underwater, weapons effects, low • 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, 762 kt