Background
Operation Alert was a series of civil defense exercises held in the United States during the 1950s. The context of these exercises was the Cold War, a period marked by heightened tensions and the threat of nuclear war between the United States and the Soviet Union. The primary aim of Operation Alert was to test and improve the readiness of U.S. cities to respond to a nuclear attack.
The exercises, which were conducted annually from 1954 to 1960, involved simulated scenarios in which major U.S. cities were targeted in a mock nuclear attack. These simulations included evacuations, the establishment of emergency operations centers, and the coordination of local, state, and federal response efforts. The Federal Civil Defense Administration (FCDA), which later became part of the Department of Defense, coordinated these exercises.
One of the key features of Operation Alert was the mandatory participation of federal, state, and local government officials. This included the President of the United States and his cabinet, who would relocate to secret bunkers to continue governing in the event of an actual attack. The operation also tested the continuity of government plans, which were designed to ensure that the government could continue to function under nuclear war conditions.
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During the exercises, air-raid sirens would sound, and citizens were encouraged to participate by seeking shelter. In some cities, streets were cleared, and business activities were halted to simulate the conditions of a nuclear attack. The exercises often received media attention and were used to heighten public awareness about the nuclear threat and the importance of civil defense preparations.
However, Operation Alert also faced criticism. Some citizens and organizations viewed the exercises as overly alarmist and as a means of promoting a culture of fear. There were instances of public protests against the exercises, reflecting the growing anti-nuclear sentiment and skepticism about the effectiveness of civil defense measures.
Overall, Operation Alert was a reflection of the Cold War era’s anxieties and the U.S. government’s efforts to prepare for the possibility of nuclear warfare. While it aimed to demonstrate readiness and resilience, it also highlighted the challenges and controversies surrounding civil defense in a nuclear age.
Declassified Documents
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
Operation Alert – FBI Release #1 [67 Pages, 43.1MB] – When I first filed the request to the FBI for records pertaining to Operation Alert, the FBI denied any documents existed, and gave me a “no records” response. I then found reference in another FOIA Case File that multiple documents had been released, so I filed a new request citing this FOIA case, the subsequent release of documents, and requested a new search. I received this in the mail sent February 1, 2016, and I was also informed that there may be additional records which took years, but are now available below.
Operation Alert – FBI Release #2 [69 Pages, 42.8MB] – This is the second release send January 26, 2017, on the above FOIA case, but it appears to be primarily, if not all, duplicates of the first release. I added it here for reference, but seems to be a lot of pages still to come from other agencies.
Operation Alert – FBI Release #3 [145 Pages, 31.5MB] – The third FBI release sent September 28, 2018.
Operation Alert – FBI Release #4 [88 Pages, 5.2MB] – The fourth and what was supposed to be the final release the sent on September 30, 2020.
Operation Alert – FBI Release #5 [865 Pages, 48MB] – Unclear, but another release from the FBI came with a different case number, but more than 860 pages on Operation Alert.
HQ-66-19017 – Defense Plans – Mobilization Plan C
HQ- 66-19018 – Defense Plans – Mobilization Plan D-minus [43 Pages, 1.5MB ] – Most of these records are showing they were all referred to other agencies for processing. Towards the end, there are 3 pages readable.
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
Operation Alert – FEMA Release #1 – Public Information Guide for Operation Alert 1957 for State and Local Use [12 Pages, 0.8MB ] –
National Security Agency (NSA)
NSA Response Letter dated 13 January 2016 [4 Pages, 0.6MB] – The NSA said they have found quite a few pages, but requires at least $132 to retrieve the documents. If anyone is interested in these records, and would like to sponsor the retrieval of them, please CONTACT me.
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