OPERATION RANGER. Decontamination of Aircraft
Abstract
Successful decontamination of aircraft was a vital necessity during OPERATION RANGER in order that the Air Force might accomplish its mission and still meet the criteria established by the Atomic Energy Commission. The Air Force had to meet the detonation schedule without over-exposure of its personnel (maximum permissible dosage per mission being 200 milliroentgens). This had to be accomplished with a limited number of aircraft available for the entire operation. Even though the tests were conducted in the continental United States, every effort was made to duplicate actual field conditions. No equipment, materials or other supplies were used that are not readily available at air bases outside the U.S. The number of personnel actually participating in the decontamination work was held to a minimum in order to establish a reasonable time factor for decontaminating aircraft of the B-29 type. Decontamination was effected by a purely hydraulic process. At no time was an airplane touched with mechanical devices such as brushes or scrapers. During OPERATION SANDSTONE Air Force personnel successfully decontaminated aircraft but not to the degree attained at Las Vegas. This unusual success was attributed to change in procedure, technique, and experience of personnel performing the decontamination work.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 02, 1951
- Accession Number
- ADA995419
Entities
People
- Carl E. Trexler
Organizations
- United States Department of the Air Force