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{{Short description|Series of 1950s US nuclear tests}}
{{For|the 2005 US counterterrorism mission in Kunar province, Afghanistan|Operation Red Wings}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2018}}
{{Infobox nuclear weapons test
|name = Operation Redwing
|picture = Redwing ApacheRedwingCherokee2.jpggif|
|picture_description = Redwing-''Redwing ApacheCherokee'', 3.8Mt. First air-deployed thermonuclear weapons test by the United States.
|country = United States
|test_site = {{plainlist|
|test_site = Aomon (Sally), Enewetak Atoll; Bokon (Irene), Enewetak Atoll; Ebiriru (Ruby), Enewetak Atoll; Elugelab (Flora), Enewetak Atoll; Eninmen (Tare), Bikini Atoll; Namu (Charlie), Bikini Atoll; NE Lagoon, Bikini Atoll; Rujoru (Pearl), Enewetak Atoll; Runit (Yvonne), Enewetak Atoll; Yurochi aka Irioj (Dog), Bikini Atoll
*Aomon (Sally), Enewetak Atoll
*Bokon (Irene), Enewetak Atoll
*Ebiriru (Ruby), Enewetak Atoll
*Elugelab (Flora), Enewetak Atoll
*Eninmen (Tare), Bikini Atoll
*Namu (Charlie), Bikini Atoll
*NE Lagoon, Bikini Atoll
*Rujoru (Pearl), Enewetak Atoll
*Runit (Yvonne), Enewetak Atoll
*Yurochi aka Irioj (Dog), Bikini Atoll}}
|period = 1956
|number_of_tests = 17
Line 12 ⟶ 24:
|previous_series = [[Project 56 (nuclear test)]]
|next_series = [[Project 57]]
|summary ={{GeoGroup|article=Operation Redwing}}▼
}}
▲ |summary ={{GeoGroup|article=Operation Redwing}}
 
'''Operation Redwing''' was a United States series of 17 [[Nuclear weapons testing|nuclear test]] detonations from May to July 1956. They were conducted at [[Bikini Atoll|Bikini]] and [[Enewetak Atoll|Enewetak]] atolls by Joint Task Force 7 (JTF7).<ref>Blumenson, Martin and Hugh D. Hexamer. (1956). ''A History of Operation Redwing: The Atomic Weapons Tests in the Pacific, 1956''. Joint Task Force Seven Headquarters, Washington, D.C. pgp. 19.</ref> The entire operation followed ''[[Project 56 (nuclear test)|Project 56]]'' and preceded ''[[Project 57]]''. The primary intention was to test new, second-generation [[thermonuclear weapon]]s. Also tested were [[Nuclear fission|fission]] devices intended to be used as primaries for thermonuclear weapons, and small tactical weapons for air defense. ''Redwing'' demonstrated the first United States airdrop of a deliverable [[Thermonuclear weapon|hydrogen bomb]] during test ''Cherokee''. Because the [[Nuclear weapon yield|yields]] for many tests at ''[[Operation Castle'']] in 1954 were dramatically higher than predictions, ''Redwing'' was conducted using an "energy budget": There were limits to the total amount of energy released, and the amount of fission yield was also strictly controlled. Fission, primarily "fast" fission of the natural [[uranium]] tamper surrounding the fusion capsule, greatly increases the yield of thermonuclear devices, and constitutes the great majority of the [[Nuclear fallout|fallout]], as [[nuclear fusion]] is a relatively clean reaction.
 
All shots were named after various [[Indigenous peoples of the Americas|Native American]] [[tribe]]s.
{{Clear}}
 
==Redwing series tests==
{{seeSee also|List of nuclear weapons tests of the United States}}
 
{| class="wikitable sortable"
Line 27 ⟶ 40:
!style="background:#ffdead;" | Name <ref group=note>The United States, 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 &ndash; 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 &ndash; 1(with name2)". If test is canceled or aborted, then the row data like date and location discloses the intended plans, where known.</ref>
!style="background:#efefef;" | Date time ([[Universal Time|UT]])
!style="background:#ffdead;" | Local [[time zone]] <ref group=note>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. All historical timezonetime zone data are derived from here:</ref><ref>{{cite web| title=TimezoneTime Zone Historical Database| publisher=iana.com| url=http://www.ietf.org/timezones/| accessdateaccess-date=March 8, 2014}}</ref>
!style="background:#efefef;" | [[List of nuclear test sites|Location]] <ref group=note>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.</ref>
!style="background:#ffdead;" | [[Elevation]] + height <ref group=note>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.</ref>
!style="background:#efefef;" | Delivery <ref group=note>Atmospheric, airdrop, balloon, gun, cruise missile, rocket, surface, tower, and barge are all disallowed by the [[Partial Nuclear Test Ban Treaty]] (PTBT). 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.</ref><br />Purpose <ref group=note>Include weapons development, weapon effects, safety test, transport safety test, war, science, joint verification and industrial/peaceful, which may be further broken down.</ref>
!style="background:#efefef;" | [[List of nuclear weapons|Device]] <ref group=note>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.</ref>
!style="background:#ffdead;" | [[Nuclear weapon yield|Yield]] <ref group=note>Estimated energy yield in [[TNT equivalent|tons, kilotons, and megatons]]. A ton of TNT equivalent is defined as 4.184&nbsp;gigajoules (1&nbsp;gigacalorie).</ref>
!style="background:#efefef;" class="unsortable" | [[Nuclear fallout|Fallout]] <ref group=note>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.</ref>
!style="background:#ffdead;" class="unsortable" | References
!style="background:#efefef;" class="unsortable" | Notes
|-
! ''Lacrosse''{{anchor|Lacrosse}}
| {{dts|format=dmy|1956|5|4}} 18:25:29.9
| style="text-align:center;" | MHT (11&nbsp;hrs)<br /> || Runit (Yvonne), Enewetak Atoll {{coord|11.55392|162.34808|name=Lacrosse|display=inline}}
| {{sort|000007|}}{{convert|2|m|abbr=on}} + {{convert|5|m|abbr=on}}
| dry surface,<br />weapons development
| [[W39 (nuclear warhead)|TX-39]] primary
| style="text-align:center;" | {{sort|000400000|40&nbsp;kt}}
|
Line 49 ⟶ 62:
|-
! ''Cherokee''{{anchor|Cherokee}}
| {{dts|format=dmy|1956|5|20}} 17:50:38.7
| style="text-align:center;" | MHT (11&nbsp;hrs)<br /> || Namu (Charlie), Bikini Atoll {{coord|11.73973|165.33985|name=Cherokee|display=inline}}
| {{sort|001320|}}0 + {{convert|1320|m|abbr=on}}
Line 60 ⟶ 73:
|-
! ''Zuni''{{anchor|Zuni}}
| {{dts|format=dmy|1956|5|27}} 17:56:00.3
| style="text-align:center;" | MHT (11&nbsp;hrs)<br /> || Eninmen (Tare), Bikini Atoll {{coord|11.50325|165.37049|name=Zuni|display=inline}}
| {{sort|000005|}}{{convert|2|m|abbr=on}} + {{convert|3|m|abbr=on}}
Line 71 ⟶ 84:
|-
! ''Yuma''{{anchor|Yuma}}
| {{dts|format=dmy|1956|5|27}} 19:56:??
| style="text-align:center;" | MHT (11&nbsp;hrs)<br /> || Aomon (Sally), Enewetak Atoll {{coord|11.61569|162.31935|name=Yuma|display=inline}}
| {{sort|000062|}}{{convert|2|m|abbr=on}} + {{convert|60|m|abbr=on}}
Line 82 ⟶ 95:
|-
! ''Erie''{{anchor|Erie}}
| {{dts|format=dmy|1956|5|30}} 18:15:29.3
| style="text-align:center;" | MHT (11&nbsp;hrs)<br /> || Runit (Yvonne), Enewetak Atoll {{coord|11.53999|162.35793|name=Erie|display=inline}}
| {{sort|000092|}}{{convert|2|m|abbr=on}} + {{convert|90|m|abbr=on}}
| tower,<br />weapons development
| [[W28 (nuclear warhead)|TX-28C]] primary
| style="text-align:center;" | {{sort|000149000|14.9&nbsp;kt}}
|
Line 93 ⟶ 106:
|-
! ''Seminole''{{anchor|Seminole}}
| {{dts|format=dmy|1956|6|6}} 00:55:30.0
| style="text-align:center;" | MHT (11&nbsp;hrs)<br /> || Bokon (Irene), Enewetak Atoll {{coord|11.67226|162.210367|name=Seminole|display=inline}}
| {{sort|000004|}}{{convert|2|m|abbr=on}} + {{convert|2|m|abbr=on}}
| dry surface,<br />weapons development
| [[W28 (nuclear warhead)|TX-28]] primary
| style="text-align:center;" | {{sort|000137000|13.7&nbsp;kt}}
|
Line 104 ⟶ 117:
|-
! ''Blackfoot''{{anchor|Blackfoot}}
| {{dts|format=dmy|1956|6|11}} 18:26:00.3
| style="text-align:center;" | MHT (11&nbsp;hrs)<br /> || Runit (Yvonne), Enewetak Atoll {{coord|11.54598|162.35252|name=Blackfoot|display=inline}}
| {{sort|000062|}}{{convert|2|m|abbr=on}} + {{convert|60|m|abbr=on}}
Line 115 ⟶ 128:
|-
! ''Flathead''{{anchor|Flathead}}
| {{dts|format=dmy|1956|6|11}} 18:26:00.1
| style="text-align:center;" | MHT (11&nbsp;hrs)<br /> || NE Lagoon, Bikini Atoll {{coord|11.6|165.4514|name=Flathead|display=inline}}
| {{sort|000004|}}0 + {{convert|4.5|m|abbr=on}}
| barge,<br />weapons development
| [[W28 (nuclear warhead)|TX-28S]]
| style="text-align:center;" | {{sort|003650000|365&nbsp;kt}}
|
Line 126 ⟶ 139:
|-
! ''Kickapoo''{{anchor|Kickapoo}}
| {{dts|format=dmy|1956|6|13}} 23:26:??
| style="text-align:center;" | MHT (11&nbsp;hrs)<br /> || Aomon (Sally), Enewetak Atoll {{coord|11.61569|162.31935|name=Kickapoo|display=inline}}
| {{sort|000092|}}{{convert|2|m|abbr=on}} + {{convert|90|m|abbr=on}}
Line 137 ⟶ 150:
|-
! ''Osage''{{anchor|Osage}}
| {{dts|format=dmy|1956|6|16}} 01:13:53.1
| style="text-align:center;" | MHT (11&nbsp;hrs)<br /> || Runit (Yvonne), Enewetak Atoll {{coord|11.54374|162.35408|name=Osage|display=inline}}
| {{sort|000210|}}0 + {{convert|210|m|abbr=on}}
Line 148 ⟶ 161:
|-
! ''Inca''{{anchor|Inca}}
| {{dts|format=dmy|1956|6|21}} 21:26:??
| style="text-align:center;" | MHT (11&nbsp;hrs)<br /> || Rujoru (Pearl), Enewetak Atoll {{coord|11.62831|162.28828|name=Inca|display=inline}}
| {{sort|000062|}}{{convert|2|m|abbr=on}} + {{convert|60|m|abbr=on}}
| tower,<br />weapons development
| [[W45 (nuclear warhead)|XW-45]] Swan
| style="text-align:center;" | {{sort|000152000|15.2&nbsp;kt}}
|
Line 159 ⟶ 172:
|-
! ''Dakota''{{anchor|Dakota}}
| {{dts|format=dmy|1956|6|25}} 18:06:00.2
| style="text-align:center;" | MHT (11&nbsp;hrs)<br /> || NE Lagoon, Bikini Atoll {{coord|11.6028|165.4514|name=Dakota|display=inline}}
| {{sort|000002|}}0 + {{convert|2|m|abbr=on}}
| barge,<br />weapons development
| [[W28 (nuclear warhead)|TX-28C]]
| style="text-align:center;" | {{sort|011000000|1.1&nbsp;Mt}}
|
Line 170 ⟶ 183:
|-
! ''Mohawk''{{anchor|Mohawk}}
| {{dts|format=dmy|1956|7|2}} 18:06:??
| style="text-align:center;" | MHT (11&nbsp;hrs)<br /> || Ebiriru (Ruby), Enewetak Atoll {{coord|11.62717|162.29393|name=Mohawk|display=inline}}
| {{sort|000092|}}{{convert|2|m|abbr=on}} + {{convert|90|m|abbr=on}}
Line 181 ⟶ 194:
|-
! ''Apache''{{anchor|Apache}}
| {{dts|format=dmy|1956|7|8}} 18:06:00.2
| style="text-align:center;" | MHT (11&nbsp;hrs)<br /> || Elugelab (Flora), Enewetak Atoll {{coord|11.66451|162.19446|name=Apache|display=inline}}
| {{sort|000002|}}0 + {{convert|2|m|abbr=on}}
| barge,<br />weapons development
| [[W27 warhead|XW-27]] / Zither
| style="text-align:center;" | {{sort|018500000|1.9&nbsp;Mt}}
|
| <ref name=LT_148 /><ref name=LT_24 /><ref name=LT_6 /><ref name=LT_1 />
| Same primary as ''Lacrosse''; Prototype of XW-27 warhead for ''[[SSM-N-8 Regulus|Regulus]]'' missile.
|-
! ''Navajo''{{anchor|Navajo}}
| {{dts|format=dmy|1956|7|10}} 17:56:00.3
| style="text-align:center;" | MHT (11&nbsp;hrs)<br /> || NE Lagoon, Bikini Atoll {{coord|11.68743|165.38263|name=Navajo|display=inline}}
| {{sort|000006|}}0 + {{convert|6|m|abbr=on}}
| barge,<br />weapons development
| [[W21 (nuclear weapon)|TX-21C]]
| style="text-align:center;" | {{sort|045000000|4.5&nbsp;Mt}}
|
Line 203 ⟶ 216:
|-
! ''Tewa''{{anchor|Tewa}}
| {{dts|format=dmy|1956|7|20}} 17:46:00.0
| style="text-align:center;" | MHT (11&nbsp;hrs)<br /> || Yurochi aka Irioj (Dog), Bikini Atoll {{coord|11.67896|165.34042|name=Tewa|display=inline}}
| {{sort|000004|}}0 + {{convert|4.5|m|abbr=on}}
Line 214 ⟶ 227:
|-
! ''Huron''{{anchor|Huron}}
| {{dts|format=dmy|1956|7|21}} 18:16:00.1
| style="text-align:center;" | MHT (11&nbsp;hrs)<br /> || Elugelab (Flora), Enewetak Atoll {{coord|11.6719|162.3692|name=Huron|display=inline}}
| {{sort|000002|}}0 + {{convert|2|m|abbr=on}}
Line 224 ⟶ 237:
| 2 Stage thermonuke, XW-50 prototype.
|}
{{reflistReflist|group=note}}
 
==Gallery==
<gallery class="center" widths="220">
File:Bassoon Prime.jpg|''Redwing-Tewa'' device within shot-cab.
File:Redwing Tewa 003.jpg|''Redwing-Tewa'' event crater.
File:Redwing Seminole 002.jpg|''Redwing-Seminole'' test device.
File:Atombombentest Redwing-Seminole 02.jpg|Redwing-''Seminole'', 13.7-kilotons.
File:Redwing Apache.jpg|Redwing-''Apache'', 1.8-megatons.
File:RedWingZuni.gif|Redwing-''Zuni'', 3.5-megatons.
File:Redwing Tewa 2.gif|Redwing-''Tewa'', 5-megatons.
File:RedwingLacrosse.gif|Redwing-''Lacrosse'', 40-kilotons.
File:Redwing Dakota 001.jpg|Redwing-''Dakota.'', 1.1-megatons.
File:RedwingCherokee.gif|Redwing-''Cherokee'', 3.8-megatons.
File:Operation Redwing - Huron 001.jpg|Redwing-''Huron'', 250-kilotons.
</gallery>
 
==References==
{{Commons category|Operation Redwing}}
{{reflistReflist|refs=
<ref name=LT_3>{{citation| title=Reprimand| newspaper=The Straits Times| date=August 15, 1956| page=2| url=http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19560815-1.2.31.aspx}}</ref>
<ref name=LT_2>{{citation| last=Harris| first=Michael| year=2005| title=The Atomic Times: My H-Bomb Year at the Pacific Proving Ground| publisher=Presidio Press| ISBNisbn=978-0345481542}}</ref>
<ref name=LT_1>{{citation| last1=Yang| first1=Xiaoping| first2=Robert| last2=North| first3=Carl| last3=Romney| date=August 2000| title=CMR Nuclear Explosion Database (Revision 3)| publisher=SMDC Monitoring Research}}</ref>
<ref name=LT_24>{{citation| last=Hansen| first=Chuck| year=1995| title=The Swords of Armageddon, Vol. 8| publisher=Chukelea Publications| location=Sunnyvale, CA| ISBNisbn=978-0-9791915-1-0}}</ref>
<ref name=LT_44>{{citation| last1=Norris| first1=Robert Standish| first2=Thomas B.| last2=Cochran| date=1 February 1, 1994| title=United States nuclear tests, July 1945 to 31 December 1992 (NWD 94-1)| journal=Nuclear Weapons Databook Working Paper| publisher=Natural Resources Defense Council| location=Washington, DC| url=http://docs.nrdc.org/nuclear/files/nuc_02019401a_121.pdf| accessdateaccess-date=October 26, 2013| url-10status=dead| archive-26url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029194805/http://docs.nrdc.org/nuclear/files/nuc_02019401a_121.pdf| archive-date=October 29, 2013}}</ref>
<ref name=LT_148>{{citation| url=http://www.nuclearweaponarchive.org/Usa/Tests| accessdateaccess-date=January 6, 2014-01-06| last=Sublette| first=Carey| title=Nuclear Weapons Archive}}</ref>
<ref name=LT_6>{{citation| publisher=Department of Energy, Nevada Operations Office| date=December 1, 2000-12-01| title=United States Nuclear Tests: July 1945 through September 1992| type=DOE/NV-209 REV15| location=Las Vegas, NV| url=http://www.nv.doe.gov/library/publications/historical/DOENV_209_REV15.pdf| accessdateaccess-date=December 18, 2013| url-12status=dead| archive-18url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061012160826/http://www.nv.doe.gov/library/publications/historical/DOENV_209_REV15.pdf| archive-date=October 12, 2006}}</ref>
}}
 
==External links==
* {{Internet Archive short film|id=gov.doe.0800019|name=Nuclear Test Film -– Operation Redwing (1956)}}
* {{Internet Archive short film|id=MilitaryEffectsonOperationRedwing1956|name=Military Effects on Operation REDWINGRedwing (1956)}}
* [http://www.librarything.com/work/2006142 Summary and review of ''The Atomic Times'']
 
{{US Nuclear Tests}}
{{Authority control}}
 
[[Category:BikiniExplosions Atollin nuclear explosive tests|Redwing1956]]
[[Category:Nuclear testing at Bikini Atoll|Redwing]]
[[Category:Enewetak Atoll nuclear explosive tests|Redwing]]
[[Category:1956 in military history]]
[[Category:1956 in sciencethe environment]]
[[Category:1950s in the Marshall Islands]]
[[Category:1956 in the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands]]
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