Operation Red Hat
Encyclopedia
Operation Red Hat was a U.S.
military action
taking place in 1971, which involved the movement of chemical warfare
munitions from Okinawa, Japan
to Johnston Atoll
in the North Pacific Ocean
.
leased 41 acres (165,921.3 m²) on Johnston. Phase I of the operation took place in January and moved 150 tons of mustard agent munitions. Phase II moved the remainder of the chemical munitions, about 12,500 tons, in September. The USS Grapple
, under the command of a Captain Pilcher, was part of Operation Red Hat.
Units operating under USARYIS; 2nd Logistical Command were; the 267th Chemical Company, 196th Ordnance Detachment (EOD) and the 5th Ordnance Detachment (EOD) and the 175th Ordnance Detachment. Most of the operation took place at night, to avoid observation of the operation by the Okinawans, who resented the presence of chemical munitions on the island. Originally, it was planned that the munitions be moved to Umatilla Chemical Depot
but this never happened due to public opposition and political pressure. Instead, all munitions on Johnston island were destroyed by the first full-scale demilitarization plant
built since the signing of the Chemical Weapons Convention
by the United States. In addition Congress
passed legislation (PL 91-672) that prohibited the transfer of nerve agent
, mustard agent, agent orange
and other chemical munitions to all 50 U.S. states.
and one U.S. civilian
stationed in Okinawa, Japan, were exposed to low levels of the nerve agent sarin
while repainting the military depot buildings. The weapons had been kept secret from Japan, sparking a furor in that country, an international incident and the creation of Operation Red Hat.
Military of the United States
The United States Armed Forces are the military forces of the United States. They consist of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard.The United States has a strong tradition of civilian control of the military...
military action
Military operation
Military operation is the coordinated military actions of a state in response to a developing situation. These actions are designed as a military plan to resolve the situation in the state's favor. Operations may be of combat or non-combat types, and are referred to by a code name for the purpose...
taking place in 1971, which involved the movement of chemical warfare
Chemical warfare
Chemical warfare involves using the toxic properties of chemical substances as weapons. This type of warfare is distinct from Nuclear warfare and Biological warfare, which together make up NBC, the military acronym for Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical...
munitions from Okinawa, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
to Johnston Atoll
Johnston Atoll
Johnston Atoll is a atoll in the North Pacific Ocean about west of Hawaii. There are four islands located on the coral reef platform, two natural islands, Johnston Island and Sand Island, which have been expanded by coral dredging, as well as North Island and East Island , an additional two...
in the North Pacific Ocean
Pacific Ocean
The Pacific Ocean is the largest of the Earth's oceanic divisions. It extends from the Arctic in the north to the Southern Ocean in the south, bounded by Asia and Australia in the west, and the Americas in the east.At 165.2 million square kilometres in area, this largest division of the World...
.
Operation
Once Operation Red Hat commenced in 1971, the ArmyUnited States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
leased 41 acres (165,921.3 m²) on Johnston. Phase I of the operation took place in January and moved 150 tons of mustard agent munitions. Phase II moved the remainder of the chemical munitions, about 12,500 tons, in September. The USS Grapple
USS Grapple (ARS-7)
USS Grapple was an Diver-class rescue and salvage ship commissioned by the U.S. Navy for service in World War II. She was responsible for coming to the aid of stricken vessels....
, under the command of a Captain Pilcher, was part of Operation Red Hat.
Units operating under USARYIS; 2nd Logistical Command were; the 267th Chemical Company, 196th Ordnance Detachment (EOD) and the 5th Ordnance Detachment (EOD) and the 175th Ordnance Detachment. Most of the operation took place at night, to avoid observation of the operation by the Okinawans, who resented the presence of chemical munitions on the island. Originally, it was planned that the munitions be moved to Umatilla Chemical Depot
Umatilla Chemical Depot
The Umatilla Chemical Depot, based in Umatilla, Oregon, was a U.S. Army installations in the United States that stored chemical weapons. The chemical weapons originally stored at the depot consisted of various munitions and ton containers containing GB and VX nerve agents and HD blister agent...
but this never happened due to public opposition and political pressure. Instead, all munitions on Johnston island were destroyed by the first full-scale demilitarization plant
Johnston Atoll Chemical Agent Disposal System
Johnston Atoll Chemical Agent Disposal System was the U.S. Army's first chemical munitions disposal facility. It was located on Johnston Island, at Johnston Atoll and completed its mission and ceased operation in 2000.-Background:...
built since the signing of the Chemical Weapons Convention
Chemical Weapons Convention
The Chemical Weapons Convention is an arms control agreement which outlaws the production, stockpiling and use of chemical weapons. Its full name is the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on their Destruction...
by the United States. In addition Congress
United States Congress
The United States Congress is the bicameral legislature of the federal government of the United States, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Congress meets in the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C....
passed legislation (PL 91-672) that prohibited the transfer of nerve agent
Nerve agent
Nerve agents are a class of phosphorus-containing organic chemicals that disrupt the mechanism by which nerves transfer messages to organs...
, mustard agent, agent orange
Agent Orange
Agent Orange is the code name for one of the herbicides and defoliants used by the U.S. military as part of its herbicidal warfare program, Operation Ranch Hand, during the Vietnam War from 1961 to 1971. Vietnam estimates 400,000 people were killed or maimed, and 500,000 children born with birth...
and other chemical munitions to all 50 U.S. states.
Accident
In 1969, 23 U.S. servicemenSoldier
A soldier is a member of the land component of national armed forces; whereas a soldier hired for service in a foreign army would be termed a mercenary...
and one U.S. civilian
Civilian
A civilian under international humanitarian law is a person who is not a member of his or her country's armed forces or other militia. Civilians are distinct from combatants. They are afforded a degree of legal protection from the effects of war and military occupation...
stationed in Okinawa, Japan, were exposed to low levels of the nerve agent sarin
Sarin
Sarin, or GB, is an organophosphorus compound with the formula [2CHO]CH3PF. It is a colorless, odorless liquid, which is used as a chemical weapon. It has been classified as a weapon of mass destruction in UN Resolution 687...
while repainting the military depot buildings. The weapons had been kept secret from Japan, sparking a furor in that country, an international incident and the creation of Operation Red Hat.
See also
- Human experimentation in the United StatesHuman experimentation in the United StatesThere have been numerous experiments performed on human test subjects in the United States that have been considered unethical, and were often performed illegally, without the knowledge, consent, or informed consent of the test subjects....
- Johnston Atoll Chemical Agent Disposal SystemJohnston Atoll Chemical Agent Disposal SystemJohnston Atoll Chemical Agent Disposal System was the U.S. Army's first chemical munitions disposal facility. It was located on Johnston Island, at Johnston Atoll and completed its mission and ceased operation in 2000.-Background:...