Army admits secret testing

WASHINGTON — The Pentagon has concluded that Army scientists based in Utah had indeed conducted 21 series of secret, at-sea tests that may have exposed sailors to chemical and germ weapons in the 1960s.

In their extensive probe completed Monday, researchers also identified an additional 29 series of related secret tests that used similar materials on land in Utah, Alaska, Hawaii, Maryland, Florida, Georgia, Panama, Canada and the United Kingdom.

The investigation also identified 5,842 members of the armed services who were present at the various tests and forwarded their names to the Veterans Affairs Department in case they apply for related disability benefits or health care.

The at-sea tests were part of "Project SHAD" (Shipboard Hazard and Defense). Researchers found that it, in turn, was part of a larger set of tests called Project 112. Both were overseen by the Deseret Test Center, which originally was based at Utah's Fort Douglas and later moved to Dugway Proving Ground before dissolving in the '70s.

The Deseret News first revealed such tests eight years ago through data obtained by the Freedom of Information Act. Sailors had sought the newspaper's help, complaining they were suffering from cancer and nervous system ills they blamed on the tests, but the VA denied claims because the Army said the tests never occurred.

Despite the newspaper obtaining reports and plans of some tests, the Pentagon continued until last year to deny they occurred.

After pressure from national media, members of Congress, the VA and sailors, the Pentagon finally said in May 2002 that some initial research showed such tests happened. It pledged to finish an extensive study by the end of June 2003 to identify all trials and the places, substances and people involved.

It had released updates on numerous specific tests every few months as research continued, but completion of the study Monday allowed compilation of some final statistics. The Defense Department also released new specific information on 10 tests, including six in Utah, about which it had not previously commented.

"I am pleased that our investigators were able to bring closure to this in-depth investigation, and by replacing speculation and uncertainty with fact, to offer the veterans of these tests some much deserved peace of mind," Assistant Secretary of Defense William Winkenwerder said.