Operation Dominic was a 36-detonation atmospheric nuclear test series. The first phase occurred from 25 April through 11 July 1962, the second phase from 2 October through 3 November 1962. During the first phase, 24 nuclear weapons were dropped from aircraft for air bursts in the vicinity of Christmas Island. One warhead was sent aloft by rocket from Johnston Island for high altitude detonation, but three attempted launches of nuclear tipped rockets from that island were failures. Shot Swordfish was an underwater detonation of a stock nuclear anti-submarine rocket (ASROC) weapon approximately 370 nautical miles west-southwest of San Diego, and Shot Frigate Bird was the detonation of a Polaris missile warhead over the Christmas Island Danger Area. During the second phase, four nuclear warheads were rocketed from Johnston Island for high altitude detonation, and one rocket launch was a failure. Five weapons were dropped from aircraft for air bursts in the vicinity of Johnston Island.The oiler, USS Chipola (AO63), participated in Operation Dominic from May through July 1962. Its primary mission was to provide mobile logistic support to ships of Task Unit 8.3.7 (Christmas Island Operational Unit) and Task Unit 8.3.6 (Johnston Island Operational Unit) during the operation. The ship was to provide fresh and frozen foods, underway replenishments, fuel, and provisions. There is no evidence that the ship's water washdown system was activated or that the ship encountered any radiological hazard. The table below presents the operational profile of the Chipola during the shots that it participated in.
| 234 | Yukon Operation Dominic |
5/08/62 | Steaming independently in route from Pearl, 60 mi from Christmas Island | Airdrop | Weapons Related | 100 kt | ||||||||||||||
| 235 | Mesilla Operation Dominic |
5/09/62 | Anchored off London Roads, Christmas Island. At 0802 viewed the atomic burst, bearing 150, distance 10 miles. | Airdrop | Weapons Related | 100 kt | ||||||||||||||
| 237 | Muskegon Operation Dominic |
5/11/62 | Anchored of London Roads, Christmas Island | Airdrop | Weapons Related | 50 kt | ||||||||||||||
| 239 | Encino Operation Dominic |
5/12/62 | Steaming independently enroute Christmas Island from local operating area. At 0853 anchored off London Roads, Christmas Island. | Airdrop | Weapons Related | 500 kt | ||||||||||||||
| 241 | Swanee Operation Dominic |
5/14/62 | Anchored off London Roads, Christmas Island. At 0622 viewed the atomic air burst, bearing 140, distance 30 miles. | Airdrop | Weapons Related | 97 kt | ||||||||||||||
| 243 | Chetco Operation Dominic |
05/19/62 | Anchored off London Roads, Christmas Island. At 0637 viewed the atomic air burst, bearing 150, distance 30 miles. | Airdrop | Weapons Related | 73 kt | ||||||||||||||
| 245 | Tanana Operation Dominic |
05/25/62 | Steaming independently enroute from Christmas Island. 240 miles SSW of Christmas Island. At 0800 | Airdrop | Weapons Related | 2.6 kt | ||||||||||||||
| 246 | Nambe Operation Dominic |
5/27/62 | Anchored off London Roads, Christmas Island. At 0804 viewed the atomic air burst, bearing 150.5, distance 25 miles. area | Airdrop | Weapons Related | 43 kt | ||||||||||||||
| 249 | Alma Operation Dominic |
6/08/62 | Steaming independently to Pearl Harbor. 330 nm NNE of Christmas Island. At 0800 | Airdrop | Weapons Related | 782 kt | ||||||||||||||
| 250 | Truckee Operation Dominic |
06/09/62 | Steaming independently to Pearl Harbor. At 0800, 600 nm N of Christmas Island | Airdrop | Weapons Related | 210 kt | ||||||||||||||
| 251 | Yeso1 Operation Dominic |
06/10/62 | Steaming independently to Pearl Harbor. At 0800, 876 nm N of Christmas Island | Airdrop | Weapons Related | 3 mt | ||||||||||||||
| 251 | Yeso2 Operation Dominic |
06/10/62 | Christmas Island area | Airdrop | Weapons Related | 3 mt | ||||||||||||||
| Note: Five DoD high-altitude weapons effects tests were conducted during Operation Dominic as Operation Fishbowl. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 266 | Starfish Prime DoD Test Operation Fishbowl High altitude 400 kilometers |
07/09/62 | Steaming independently enroute for Johnston Island from Pearl Harbor. At 2300 viewed the atomic burst, distance 275 nm. | Rocket | Weapons Effects | 1.4 mt | ||||||||||||||
| 266 | Starfish Prime DoD Test Operation Fishbowl High altitude 400 kilometers |
07/09/62 | Johnston Island area | Rocket | Weapons Effects | 1.4 mt | ||||||||||||||
| 267 | Sunset Operation Dominic |
07/10/62 | Steaming as before. At 1546 Johnston Island anchorage . | Airdrop | Weapons Related | 1 mt | ||||||||||||||
Photos credit Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL). Return to Fred Schafer's Home Page