The US Army's Dugway Proving Grounds (DPG) is facility located approximately 85 miles southwest of Salt Lake City, Utah. It encompasses approximately 800 thousand acres (32 km²) of the Great Salt Lake Desert and is surrounded on three sides by mountain ranges.

Mission

Dugway's mission is to test US and Allied biological and chemical weapon defense systems , in a secure and isolated environment. DPG also serves as a facility for US Army Reserve and US National Guard maneuver training, and US Air Force flight tests. DPG is controlled by the US Army Test Command (TECOM).

History

In 1941, the Chemical Warfare Service (CWS) determined it needed a testing facility more remote than the US Army's Edgewood Arsenal in Maryland. The CWS surveyed the western U.S. for a new location to conduct its tests, and in the spring of 1942, construction of Dugway Proving Ground began.

Testing commenced in the summer of 1942. During World War II, DPG tested toxic agents, flame throwers, chemical spray systems, biological warfare weapons, antidotes for chemical agents, and protective clothing. In October 1943, DPG established biological warfare facilities at an isolated area within DPG (Granite Peak). DPG was slowly phased out after World War II, until becoming inactive in August 1946. The base was reactivated during the Korean War and in 1954 was confirmed as a permanent Department of Army installation. In October 1958, DPG became home to the U.S. Army Chemical, Biological, and Radiological (CBR) Weapons School, which moved from the U.S. Army Chemical Center, MD.

In March 1968, 6,400 sheep were found dead in Skull Valley , an area just outside Dugway's boundaries. When examined, the sheep were found to have been poisoned by the deadly nerve agent VX. The incident, coinciding with the birth of the environmental movement and anti-Vietnam War protests, created an uproar in Utah and internationally.

Because of the secretive nature of the work conducted at DPG, many rumors have circulated about activities going on inside. These rumors include things related to UFOs and unauthorized testing of weapons of mass destruction.