Events

Saturday, June 27
12 PM

In 1951, the Army carried out a series of exercises called Operation Desert Rock. About 5,000 soldiers and civilians lived in tents more than 25 miles the Nevada Proving Grounds, as part of an experiment to “dispel much of the fear and uncertainty surrounding atomic radiation and the effects of gamma and x-rays.” Called Camp Desert Rock, an encampment was set up about 27 miles from where the atomic explosions were detonated on the Nevada Proving Grounds. About 5,000 Army soldiers, and civilian observers and technicians were housed there. Troops spent hours in classes receiving training in radiation and nuclear weapons effects.