Project SHAD, Toxic Tugs

What do Maryland, Utah, Alaska, Hawaii, Johnston Atoll, and the Marshall Islands have in common?

BioChemical warfare tests were conducted in all of them behind a blinding haze of Cold War secrecy. And hardly a word of warning was ever issued, before during, or afterward the test conductors, subjects, or citizens living in surrounding areas.

Marine jets and Army artillery sprayed "harmless simulants" and live biological and chemical agents on unsuspecting citizens for 15 years on land and sea during Operation Deseret. The randomly selected human test rats onboard ships sailing with the USS Granville Hall, YAG-40, were largely unaware.

Project SHAD (Shipboard Hazard & Defense) tested the Navy's ability to defend itself from gas or particle attacks by the enemy. But there weren’t any posters hanging in recruiter’s offices inviting Sailors to be used as dehumanized ciphers in scientific "research" projects. There were bigger fish to fry.

Navy ships sailing under Army orders and accompanied by 5 specially equipped Army tugboats waged their secret war from the balmy South Pacific to the chilly waters off Newfoundland. Night and day they’d pass through poisonous clouds up to a hundred miles long spread by Marine jets. The Deseret Test Center at Fort Douglas, Utah (Dugway Proving Ground) simply tested whatever the top-secret labs at Fort Detrick, Maryland could produce. Dugway dispatched the deadly materials to be tested in areas ranging from the remote Marshall Islands to as little as 50 miles West of San Francisco.

Just last week they struck again. The Fairbanks Daily News-Miner reported a contractor had unearthed leaking drums of suspected warfare agents while preparing structures for the National Missile Defense System. Most likely leftovers from the Gerstle River Project carried out at Fort Greely, linked to Project SHAD. Crewmen from Granville Hall's sister ship the USS George Eastman, YAG-39, were there in the 60’s, conducting cold-weather atmospheric tests to discover how best to distribute Anthrax spores, deadly VX & Sarin gas, and a vile assortment of highly contagious diseases.

Lax storage practices and non-existent environmental concern followed creating huge ecological disaster areas. Rockets and artillery shells filled with terminal cocktails were fired into Utah’s clear desert air and left to rust in Alaska's wilderness. No disclosure was forthcoming regarding long-range health effects of the test "conductors" or later inhabitants. Instead, those flatly ordered into these clandestine activities were coerced to sign documents stating they would never reveal their involvement in these toxic tests.

Long before the crew autopsied the caged monkeys that died on deck from nerve gas attacks in the South Pacific, these nondescript Liberty hulls had had huge “crow’s nests” installed on their masts. YAG-39 & 40 were contaminated in nuclear blasts from Bikini Atoll to the open ocean 450 miles Southwest of San Diego. They sailed through the radioactive fallout for a decade, collecting particles. Carcinogenic materials were used to wash down the outer surfaces of the vessels after every test. Crewmen who died from blood, bone and skin cancers came to the realization too late to take any protective measures. They had their orders and that was that.

Surely you've heard of the Smithsonian Institution. But, I'd lay odds you’re unaware of the Smithsonian's Pacific Bird Project. Smithsonian contractors aboard the USNS Shearwater, accompanied by YAG-39 & 40 and the Army tugs, “collected" thousands upon thousands of migratory bird carcasses with 12 gauge shotguns fired by Navy crewmen. Over 2 million birds were banded and dusted down to see how far these "avian vectors" would transport deadly substances. Their instinctive navigational skills led to a greater than 90% accuracy for the proposed activities. Crewmen shot the boobies and gulls and gutted them on the helo deck for verification. They were safe from observation in idyllic spots like Christmas Island. Had anyone stumbled onto this chilling armada, those involved could offer little explanation. All communication between the various parties was discouraged and test results were closely guarded under the highest security measures. Now many of those present have permanently debilitating nerve, skin and respiratory conditions.

Not even Conscientious Objectors escaped. The "White Coats" of the Seventh day Adventist Church participated in 153 Army Germ warfare tests from 1954 to 1973. And, because they did not smoke, or drink alcohol or coffee, "They were a cleaner piece of paper on which to work an experiment," according to Richard O. Stenbakken, Adventist clergy armed forces supervisor.

Trained as medics at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, they were transferred to Fort Detrick, Maryland where they were expected to volunteer for at least one experiment. Open-air tests were carried out in the Utah desert using Q-Fever and other "simulants" to study Anthrax attacks. Otherwise they spent quality time in the "Eight Ball," a spherical chamber more than two stories tall at Fort Detrick. Scientists charged the chamber with bacteria and viruses where Operation White Coat test subjects wore breathing apparatus directly connected to the infected air.

It's been over 40 years since Project SHAD and the related tests began. The lid of secrecy has barely been lifted enough to allow a slender crack of light to shine on the truth. The DOD has only de-classified a handful of the 113 test series performed in Project SHAD. The VA knows there were 10,000 people to life-threatening substances, but they have declined to perform any active outreach program to notify them. This sad injustice is uncalled-for.

Why would the United States carry out such a hugely hideous plan, leaving behind hundreds of square miles of highly contaminated landscape spread across the Western Hemisphere and then just walk away from the physical and sociological devastation, leaving unsuspecting citizens to solve the problems on their own?

I don't know. I've been wondering for 30 years when and how the story will end. I was only 19 years old when I was assigned to the USS Granville S Hall in 1968. And it wasn’t my idea.

Veterans Right-To-Know Act of 2002 (Introduced in House)

HR 5060 IH

107th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. R. 5060

To provide for the disclosure of information on projects of the Department of Defense, such as Project 112 and the Shipboard Hazard and Defense Project (Project SHAD), that included testing of biological or chemical agents involving potential exposure of members of the Armed Forces to toxic agents, and for other purposes.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

JUNE 27, 2002

Mr. THOMPSON of California (for himself, Mr. ABERCROMBIE, Mr. BERMAN, Mr. BOSWELL, Mr. BOYD, Mrs. DAVIS of California, Mr. FARR of California, Mr. FILNER, Mr. HOLDEN, Mr. HUNTER, Mr. ISRAEL, Mr. JOHN, Mr. BERRY, Mr. MATHESON, Mr. GEORGE MILLER of California, Mr. MOORE, Mr. MURTHA, Ms. PELOSI, Mr. POMBO, Mr. SANDLIN, Mr. SCHIFF, Mr. SHERMAN, Mr. STENHOLM, Mr. TAYLOR of Mississippi, Mr. TURNER, Ms. WATSON of California, Mr. CRAMER, Mr. CHAMBLISS, and Mr. BILIRAKIS) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Armed Services, and in addition to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

A BILL

To provide for the disclosure of information on projects of the Department of Defense, such as Project 112 and the Shipboard Hazard and Defense Project (Project SHAD), that included testing of biological or chemical agents involving potential exposure of members of the Armed Forces to toxic agents, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the `Veterans Right-To-Know Act of 2002'.

SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

In this Act:

(1) The term `Project SHAD' means a series of tests, known as the Shipboard Hazard and Defense Project, conducted by the Department of Defense between approximately 1962 and 1970 that were intended to evaluate the effectiveness of shipboard detection and protective procedures against chemical warfare agents and biological warfare agents.

(2) The term `Project 112' means a series of tests conducted by the Department of Defense primarily during the
1960s in and around Alaska using chemical and biological agents.

SEC. 3. IDENTIFICATION OF PROJECTS.

(a) IDENTIFICATION- The Secretary of Defense shall identify each developmental or operational test of the Department of Defense (or a contractor of the Department of Defense) involving chemical or biological weapons, or defense against such weapons, in which members of the Armed Forces or civilians were or may have been exposed to actual or simulated hazardous agents, whether with or without their knowledge or consent. The Secretary shall identify such tests based on a thorough review of the records of the Department, including classified and unclassified records.

(b) REPORT- Not later than 270 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to Congress a report on the actions of the Secretary under subsection (a). The report shall include, with respect to each test identified pursuant to subsection
(a), the following:

(1) A description of the test, including the test name, the date and location of the test, the test objective, and identification of each biological or chemical agent involved and the name of any solvent used to clean up after the test.

(2) The number of members of the Armed Forces, and the number of persons who were not members of the Armed Forces, who may have been affected by the test.

(3) Identification of any vessels or other major equipment involved in the test.

SEC. 4. OVERSIGHT WORKING GROUP ON BIOLOGICAL AND CHEMICAL TESTING.

(a) ESTABLISHMENT OF OVERSIGHT GROUP-

(1) IN GENERAL- The Comptroller General shall establish within the General Accounting Office an Oversight Working Group on Biological and Chemical Testing. The Oversight Working Group shall work to review activities of the Department of Defense being carried out to investigate all chemical and biological tests conducted by the Department that involved, or may have exposed, members of the Armed Forces or civilians.

(2) TIME FOR ESTABLISHMENT- The Oversight Working Group shall be established by the Comptroller General not later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.

(3) COMMENCEMENT OF ACTIVITIES- The Oversight Working Group shall begin their review of Department of Defense materials immediately upon being established.

(b) REPORT ON PROJECT SHAD (AND PROJECT 112)- Not later than six months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Oversight Working Group shall submit to Congress a report providing information concerning Project SHAD and Project 112. The report shall include the following:

(1) A description of efforts underway within the Department of Defense to identify tests that were conducted as part of Project SHAD and to declassify information concerning such tests.

(2) A description of each test identified under section 3(a), including the test name, test objective, chemical or biological agents involved, solvents involved, and number of members of the Armed Forces, and the number of civilians potentially affected by such test.

(3) A description of the plans of the Secretary of Defense for the release of information on each test so identified.

(4) A description of the actions the Secretary of Defense proposes to undertake with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs in order to notify former members of the Armed Forces potentially affected by each test so identified of their participation in the test.

(5) A description of the actions the Secretary proposes to undertake in order to notify persons other than former members of the Armed Forces who were potentially affected by each test so identified of their participation in such test.

(6) Information, to the extent feasible, on tests conducted as part of Project SHAD for which information has not been declassified.

(7) An evaluation of the effectiveness of efforts described under paragraph (1) and any recommendations for improvement in future investigation efforts.

(c) CONTINUING FUNCTIONS- Upon completion of the report under subsection
(b), the Oversight Working Group shall continue to review Department of Defense investigations of any other cases of chemical or biological testing by the Department of Defense in which members of the Armed Forces or civilians may have been exposed to chemical or biological agents with or without their knowledge or consent.

(d) INFORMATION AND HISTORICAL KNOWLEDGE OF KEY VETERANS AND VETERAN SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS- The Oversight Working Group shall seek to identify veterans and veterans services organizations with significant information involving test projects such as Project SHAD and Project 112 and shall seek to have such information made available to the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. If feasible, such information shall be included in reports of the Oversight Working Group.

(e) ANNUAL REPORT TO CONGRESS- The Oversight Working Group shall submit an annual report to Congress. Each such report shall include the following:

(1) Information on the activities of the Oversight Working Group during the year covered by the report.

(2) With respect to any tests identified since the previous report under this section that were conducted as part of any testing of chemical or biological agents by the Department of Defense in which members of the Armed Forces or civilians may have been exposed to chemical or biological agents without their knowledge or consent, information in the same manner as provided for under subsection (c).

(3) Information on costs associated with the work of the Oversight Working Group during the year covered by the report.

(f) ACCESS TO DECLASSIFIED INFORMATION- As Department of Defense information relating to tests of referred to in section 3(a) is declassified, the Secretary of Defense shall ensure that such information is immediately provided to the Oversight Working Group.

SEC. 5. FUNCTIONS OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.

(a) NOTIFICATION OF VETERANS- The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall notify in writing each veteran who is determined to have been involved in any of the tests conducted as part of any testing of chemical or biological agents by the Department of Defense in which members of the Armed Forces may have been exposed to chemical or biological agents without their knowledge or consent, including testing conducted as part of Project SHAD. Such notification shall include detailed information as to the veteran's participation in such testing and of the veteran's possible exposure to chemical or biological agents or solvents as a result of such testing, including when and where the testing was conducted and what type of chemical or biological agents or solvents were used in the testing. Such notification shall also include instructions on how to receive a health care evaluation from the Department of Veterans Affairs.

(b) EVALUATION OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION- As additional information becomes available concerning Project SHAD or any other testing of chemical or biological agents by the Department of Defense in which members of the Armed Forces or civilians may have been exposed to chemical or biological agents without their knowledge or consent, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, working in conjunction with the Director of the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences, shall act expeditiously to review declassified material to determine any lasting health effects that may have been incurred by veterans as a result of such exposure. Any such health effects information shall be made available to the public and to Members of Congress upon request and to any veteran who may have incurred such health effects and shall be made available through the public internet world-wide-web site of the Department of Veterans Affairs.

(c) NOTIFICATION TO AFFECTED VETERANS- When health effects due to exposures referred to in subsection
(b) are identified, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall notify by mail any veteran who, based upon the information available to the Secretary, may have been subject to such exposure. Such notification shall include notice of the possible exposure of the veteran, a description of the potential health effects of such exposure, and instructions on how to receive a health care evaluation from the Department of Veterans Affairs.

(d) CLINICAL EVALUATION- The Institute of Medicine shall undertake an overall clinical evaluation of all chemical and biological testing conducted by the Department of Defense to determine a history of how veterans' health status may have been affected by such tests and any other information acquired as a result of those tests.

SEC. 6. EXPEDITED PROCESSING OF FOIA REQUESTS.

(a) EXPEDITED PROCESSING- For purposes of expedited processing under section 552(a)(6)(E) of title 5, United States Code, any covered requester of a record relating to any testing, including Project SHAD, of chemical or biological agents by the Department of Defense in which members of the Armed Forces or civilians may have been exposed to chemical or biological agents without their knowledge or consent shall be deemed to have demonstrated a compelling need for such record.

(b) COVERED REQUESTERS- For purposes of this section, the term `covered requester' means any Member of Congress and any person acting on behalf of a veterans' service organization.

CALL YOUR CONGRESSMEN AND URGE THEM TO SUPPORT THIS LEGISLATION!!!

CALL 877-762-8762 TODAY!

http://thomas.loc.gov/

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