Exercise Desert Rock (1951)

0800060 - Exercise Desert Rock - 1951 In 1951, the Army, working with the Atomic Energy Commission, carried out the Desert Rock Exercises, an experiment to “dispel much of the fear and uncertainty surrounding atomic radiation and the effects of gamma and x-rays.“ A tent encampment was set up about 27 miles from where the atomic explosions were detonated on the Nevada Proving Grounds. The encampment housed about 5,000 Army soldiers, civilian observers and technicians. Troops spent hours in classes receiv