5 November 1951

SUBJECT: Operational Report of OPERATION DESERT ROCK

TO: Commanding Officer
354th Engineer Combat Group
Ft Lewis, Washington

It was anticipated that the entire battalion would depart for Ft Lewis, Washington, on either D plus 5 or D plus 6. Inasmuch as the work requirements in this area were such that a company alone could not adequately meet the deadline, additional personnel were requested from battalion headquarters to accomplish the salvage of wire and lumber laid in the area. Two additional companies of the 231st Engr C Bn were sent to our aid. Reinforced in this manner, all the barbed wire which had been laid, all of the sandbags and as much of the lumber as could be salvaged was sent to the Engineer Supply Dump. Upon completion of the mission this company returned to Camp Desert Rock.

Editors note: Co "A" Returned to Camp Desert Rock only to learn they would witness (Shot Easy) the largest test of the series in a couple of days and continue their jobs as before in Operation Jangle.The two following paragraphs from the battalion Operational Report are submitted for review.

They then witnessed another nuclear detonation (Dog Shot) and as soon as the area had been declared safe by the AEC, which was a little less than an hour from the time of the explosion, the effects evaluation teams moved in and assessed the damage which had been done to installations and equipment. Upon completion of the mission the control group departed for Camp Desert Rock, and detachments of this Battalion immediately began to close the area. After this detonation, which was the major part of the Operation Desert Rock, this Battalion's primary duty was to restore the Forward Area to its natural state and to close the Camp in preparation for the homeward trip. Packing commenced and the dismantling of Camp Desert Rock began in earnest.

Within two days, the visitor's area was completely dismantled, many of the wooden structures were turned in and unit areas cleared in preparation for abandoning camp. It was anticipated that this Battalion would depart on either D+5 or 6. Working towards that goal everything proceeded on schedule. On Saturday, 3 November 51, orders were received for this Battalion to remain in Camp Desert Rock to participate in Operation Jangle.