About this Unit
The Defense Atomic Support Agency (DASA) operated a facility at Lake Mead Base near Las Vegas, Nevada, during the height of the Cold War. Established in the late 1950s, the base supported DASA’s mission of overseeing and coordinating U.S. nuclear weapons testing and related activities, particularly at the nearby Nevada Test Site. Personnel at Lake Mead Base provided logistical, scientific, and technical support for atomic test operations, including radiological safety and data collection. The base remained active into the early 1970s, contributing to America's nuclear readiness before its functions were absorbed by successor agencies.
Historical Facts
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Origins and Mission: The Lake Mead Base near Las Vegas, NV, was a support facility for the Defense Atomic Support Agency (DASA), which was established to coordinate, manage, and support nuclear weapons testing and related activities during the Cold War.
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Strategic Location: The base’s proximity to the Nevada Test Site (NTS) made it ideal for logistical and technical support for atomic tests conducted in the desert northwest of Las Vegas.
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Role in Atomic Testing: Personnel and equipment stationed at Lake Mead Base supported many of the atomic tests, including Operation Plumbbob (1957), one of the largest and most significant series of nuclear tests in U.S. history.
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Specialized Units: The base housed specialized units trained in radiological monitoring, data collection, and emergency response in case of radiation leaks or accidents during nuclear detonations.
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Aircraft and Support: The base was used to stage aircraft, including helicopters and fixed-wing planes, for observation, sampling, and transport missions related to nuclear tests.
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Secrecy and Security: Due to the sensitive nature of atomic testing, the base maintained high levels of secrecy. Personnel often worked under strict confidentiality agreements, and the area was heavily guarded.
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Environmental Monitoring: Teams from Lake Mead Base conducted environmental monitoring of Lake Mead and the surrounding area for radioactive fallout, ensuring the safety of Las Vegas and nearby communities.
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Post-Test Analysis: After nuclear detonations, scientists and engineers from the base played a crucial role in collecting data and analyzing the effects of blasts, providing valuable information for future weapons development.
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Transition and Closure: As nuclear testing slowed and eventually ended, the base’s mission was reduced. It was ultimately closed, and its functions were absorbed by other agencies as the need for atomic test support diminished.
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Legacy: Today, the former Lake Mead Base is remembered by historians and atomic veterans as a key support site in America’s nuclear weapons program, with some buildings and infrastructure still occasionally referenced in declassified documents and oral histories.
