About this Unit
The Field Command, Defense Nuclear Agency (FC, DNA) was established in 1947 as part of the Armed Forces Special Weapons Project, initially overseeing nuclear weapons testing and support at Sandia Base, New Mexico. It evolved through several redesignations, becoming Field Command, Defense Nuclear Agency in 1971, with a mission to manage nuclear test operations, technical support, and safety programs for the Department of Defense. The unit played a pivotal role during the Cold War, ensuring the readiness, security, and effectiveness of the U.S. nuclear arsenal. In 1993, following organizational restructuring, Field Command was inactivated and its functions were absorbed by successor agencies.
Historical Facts
•
Origins as DNA: The Field Command, Defense Nuclear Agency (FC/DNA) was the field operating arm of the Defense Nuclear Agency, which itself was formed in 1971 from the merger of the Armed Forces Special Weapons Project (AFSWP) and other agencies to manage the U.S. military's nuclear weapons program.
•
Location: FC/DNA was headquartered at Kirtland Air Force Base, Albuquerque, New Mexico, a major hub for nuclear weapons development, testing, and storage.
•
Atomic Test Operations: The command played a significant role in planning and supporting U.S. nuclear tests, especially those conducted at the Nevada Test Site and the Pacific Proving Grounds.
•
Operation Ivy: Personnel under FC/DNA (and its predecessors) were instrumental in Operation Ivy (1952), which included the first successful hydrogen bomb test ("Ivy Mike") at Enewetak Atoll.
•
Nuclear Accident Response: The command was responsible for training and maintaining teams ready to respond to nuclear weapon accidents, known as "Broken Arrow" incidents.
•
Radiation Effects Research: FC/DNA conducted extensive research into the effects of nuclear weapons on military equipment, infrastructure, and personnel, shaping military doctrine and preparedness.
•
Project 112 Involvement: The command supported Project 112, a series of biological and chemical weapons tests conducted by the U.S. Department of Defense in the 1960s and early 1970s.
•
Disaster Relief: FC/DNA provided assistance and expertise during the 1966 Palomares and 1968 Thule Air Base nuclear weapons accidents, helping to recover lost nuclear weapons and manage contaminated sites.
•
Organizational Changes: In 1993, the Defense Nuclear Agency became the Defense Special Weapons Agency (DSWA), and FC/DNA was subsequently inactivated, with its functions absorbed by other organizations.
•
Legacy in Nuclear Surety: The work of FC/DNA laid the groundwork for modern Department of Defense policies on nuclear surety, safety, and emergency response, with many of its protocols and practices still in use today.
