Posted on 12/19/2013 8:14:59 PM PST by Kolath
Was trying to find out if there any USAF units solely dedicated to dropping nuclear test bombs in the Pacific and Nevada.
Uhhhhhhhhh ... no one drops bombs any more, as far as I know. Testing is done underground.
I have to say I am amused by the concept of a current USAF unit dedicated to dropping nuclear bombs on Nevada. I would imagine that Harry Reid would oppose it.
We, the US, does not drop bombs for this anymore.
We stopped many years ago and started underground nuclear testing.
Fair question but when they were making above ground tests, I was of the impression they were tower mounted bombs. They made some people I knew that lived on the Kiabab Plateau nervous.
Atomic Weapons Tests: Operation Tumbler Snapper - 1952 Documentary
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MxC7fLCFlgg
I should add, we have not done any underground testing for a couple of decades.
Nah... just one unit and it was South Carolina.
Odd how fracking is dangerous, but underground nuclear explosions aren't.
I think we then stopped that too.
No, but if you wish, you can rent your home to the USAF for nuclear bomb testing.
Tests in Nevada were underground and stopped around 1990.
You may now tell us why you need to know.
Dad worked in the Air Force in the 1950’s and told me of an event he attended (VIP event) where a nuke test was done. He said it was an airdrop.
The USAF did drop bombs from planes over the Bikini Atoll in the 50’s-60’s.
They then flew planes threw the mushroom cloud after it had cooled to measure the radiation effects.
I knew a pilot that did that. He passed from cancer in 1995? maybe.
That could be entirely true but mostly the air drops were from towers and very limited in scope.
The big tests were all underground.
The first test was tower and understood to never be the kt it was ever again.
No Aircraft drop detonations in the US that I know of.
There were several airdrops at the Nevada Test Site.
Is there a reason you are curious about it now?
I have worked various ranges and areas that can shed some light in Nevada but cannot help with NM.
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