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Camp Desert Rock
 Camp Desert Rock, also known as Desert Atom Camp, Nevada, was home to
the U.S. Army's Atomic Maneuver Battalion in the 1950s. More than 2,300
soldiers were trained here in 1955. The 100 semi-permanent buildings and
more than 500 tents often were filled to the 6,000 personnel capacity.
Desert Rock Airport, with its 7,500 foot runway, was built on the
former Camp Desert Rock. At peak operation Camp Desert Rock comprised of
100 semi-permanent buildings, more than 500 tents and some 6,000 troops
under the command of the U.S. Sixth Army, Presidio, San Francisco,
California.
The camp was activated in the Fall of 1951 for the Buster-Jangle series
of 7 atmospheric tests. The facility continued through the Operation
Teapot series in the spring of 1955.
The troops, from all four services, were deployed. Many observed the
detonations from trenches, tanks and armored personnel carriers at
distances of 2,500 to 7,000 yards.
Military officials declared the maneuvers invaluable for the training
and orientation of troops and commanders in using essential personnel
and equipment protection measures. The exercises also provided
experience with atomic weapons and ground forces under simulated atomic
combat conditions, both offensive and defensive.
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