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Operation TEAPOT Military Effects Studies
About this film
Operation TEAPOT consisted of 14 nuclear tests detonated from February 18 to May 15, 1955. The goal of the series was to test nuclear devices for possible inclusion in the nuclear weapons stockpile; improve military tactics, equipment and training; and study civil defense requirements. With Operation TEAPOT, the Atomic Energy Commission intensified its technical effort for "clean" or reduced fallout weapons and missile warheads. This effort led to significant advances in both reduced fallout and in miniaturization necessary for warhead delivery on missiles. Approximately 11,000 scientific and military personnel participated in the entire test series. Approximately 7,700 Army personnel and 1,300 Marines participated in the DESERT ROCK VI exercises that included the Wasp, Moth, Tesla, Turk, Bee, ESS, Apple-1, MET, and Apple-2 tests. The troops observed nuclear blasts to familiarize themselves with weapons effects and battlefield tactics. After observing a blast, they would tour a display area of military equipment exposed to the blast. Both officers and enlisted personnel practiced nuclear age battlefield tactics and combat techniques. In addition to studying the psychological effect…
Directors & creators
AFSWP
Subjects
Operation Teapot;Teapot;Desert Rock;atomic;nuclear;Cold War;atomic testing;nuclear testing;1955;military;Nevada Proving Ground;Nevada Test Site;national defense;Department of Defense;Department of Energy;radiation;radioactivity;fallout;radioactive;thermonuclear test;thermonuclear