The Cold War was characterized by a bitter arms race between the US and the USSR that started in the late 1940s. Both nations regularly tested their weapons during this time, sometimes with disastrous results. One of the most well-known events, which turned into a very serious situation, happened in 1958 near Mars Bluff, South Carolina.
The United States continued developing bombs after World War II
The Second World War was an awful conflict. By dropping the atomic bombs Little Boy and Fat Man on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in the summer of 1945, the United States ended it. However, the nation persisted in advancing the development of more potent, modern nuclear weapons.
Development of the Mk 6 nuclear bomb
After undergoing numerous modifications between 1951 and 1955, the Mk 6 nuclear bomb—an improved version of the weapon dropped on Nagasaki during World War II—remained in use until 1962. During this period, more than 1,000 units were manufactured, each of which could produce a different nuclear yield.
In order to prepare for a potential conflict with the USSR, the US Air Force used the Mk 6 in training operations. This led to a number of unintentional discharges in the 1950s, which were commonly called “broken arrows” in military parlance.
A Mk 6 nuclear bomb is dropped on Mars Bluff, South Carolina
A Boeing B-47 Stratojet carrying members of the 308th Bombardment Wing’s 375th Bombardment Squadron took off from Hunter Army Airfield in Georgia on March 11, 1958.
With intentions to continue to North Africa for Operation Snow Flurry, where the crew was to carry out simulated bomb drops, the strategic bomber was en route to the United Kingdom. Even though it was simply a drill, the B-47 crew was under a lot of stress because of the timed nature of the exercise.
The crew struggled to secure their Mk 6 nuclear bomb in the bomb compartment and position it correctly before takeoff. The steel locking pin was pounded into place using a sling. The mechanism did, however, release as expected after takeoff, but it was unable to lock back in place once the aircraft was in the air.
The navigator and bombardier, Captain Bruce Kulka, was informed of the problem. He unintentionally pressed the emergency release pin while scouting the area, causing the bomb to drop between 15,000 and 20,000 feet. Kulka grabbed something and pulled himself to safety just in time to avoid tumbling out of the open bomb bay.
Bill Gregg had constructed a playhouse for his kids, who were playing around 200 feet away when the Mk 6 bomb struck. The playhouse was demolished by the explosion, which also left a hole that was 70 feet wide. Seven nearby structures were damaged, and Gregg, his wife, and their kids were all injured.
Reaction to the Mars Bluff Incident
Since the explosive nuclear core of the Mk 6 bomb was located in a separate section of the B-47 aircraft, it was surprising that no one who was impacted by the explosion suffered any major injuries. The TNT within the device was the only thing that exploded. The repercussions of a full-scale nuclear explosion would have been disastrous.
Soon after the incident, military officials arrived on the scene. After losing everything in the explosion, the Gregg family sued the Air Force and won $54,000. I’ve always wanted a swimming pool, and now I’ve got a hole for one for no expense, Bill Gregg told the local press, demonstrating his optimism in the face of their challenges.
Legacy of the Mars Bluff Incident
The near-calamity gained notoriety both domestically and abroad as the Mars Buff Incident. Given that these kinds of occurrences were more frequent than the Air Force would have liked to acknowledge, it also helped to change how the service conducted training exercises in the future. Nuclear bombs were no longer carried on training missions by the branch shortly after.
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Eliot Pierce is a dedicated writer for ChiefsFocus.com, covering local crime and finance news. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for storytelling, Eliot aims to provide his readers with clear and insightful analysis, helping them navigate the complexities of their financial lives while staying informed about important local events. His commitment to delivering accurate and engaging content makes him a valuable resource for the community.