186. Editorial Note
From April 24, 1957, to March 14, 1958, the United States conducted Operation Plumbbob, a nuclear test series at Yucca Flat, Frenchman Flat, and Jackass Flat on the Nevada Test Site in the continental United States. During the test period 34 shots were detonated. Several thousand scientific, military (Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines), and civilian contract personnel participated in the organization, planning, and execution of the test series. Military exercises undertaken during and following the shots took place under the name Exercise Desert Rock 7 and 8.
Numerous weapons test reports, scientific studies on radiation and fallout, and other documents relating to the test series are in the Defense Nuclear Agency Technical Library in Alexandria, Virginia.
For summary history of part of this operation, see S. Weary, W. Ozeroff, J. Sperling, et al., Prototype Report: Plumbbob Series, 24 April-7 October 1957. Regarding congressional hearings on the radiation effects of nuclear tests in the 1950s and 1960s on the health of humans and animals in the area, see Document 8.