This 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.
Dominic 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 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)*
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