eeTT WEAPONSTESTING SSR RRR See 1958 continued. Atomic Energy Commission's nuclear ex- zo0n becomes an ‘impact area” for incoming Inter-Continental Ballistic Missiles (ICBM's) shot from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. periments at Bikini and Fnewerak, she importance of the Kwatalein Navy >ase ¢iminishes. The Navy places it on the nilitary base surplus list. 1960 Kwajalein: An “impact area" for "..- Several of my babies who were healthy at the time they were born died before they were a year Oold...Altogetner I lost four babies. My son Winton was born just incoming missiles is established, extending from the southern tip of Kwaja- tein Atoll southwest 50 miles to Lib Island, whose inhabitants must be relocated. one year after the bomb, and he has had two operations on his throat for thyroid cancer.” Minji Kel, Kwajalein: Radar, technical buildings, missile assembly and missile launching Utirik Atoll. facilities are built on Kwajalein Is- land. 1959 Rongelap: The Zongelap reocie are warned by Brookhaven scientists not co eat the plentiful coconut crabs, considered a delicacy in the Marshails. tecause of high radiation ievels. ‘So other restrictions are siaced on ‘food consumpCion. AWajalein: The Navy tase’s .Mportance re-emerges as it is chosen as the test*. ing site for the Nike-ceus ancti-missiié missile tests; Roi Namur Island ‘in tne Related radio receiving/trans- aitting equipment and living quarters sre constructed on Gugeegue and Ennylabegan islands, located on opposite sides or the lagoon about 8 miles north ats <wajalein. “wajalein: A major radar installation, computer buildings and a launching site for firing missiles are constructed on Roi Namur Island, 40 miles north of swajalein Island. ‘ northern sart of Kwaialein Atoll) is selected aS a center for studying mis Sile re-entry characteristics; and ine Naval Station is renamed “Pacific Mis- 1961 Kwajalein: The first Zeus mis- sile is test fired from Kwajalein. It >s being developed to destroy incoming Siie Range Facliity *waiaiein.” enemy missiles. Enewetak: In support of Xwajalein's Pacific Missile Range, Znewetak's la- 1962 JULY Kwajalein: A Zeus missile successfully intercepts, for the first time, an ICBM shot from Vandenberg Air Force Base. 1963 Rongelap: The first thyroid tumors begin appearing among the Rongelap people exposed in 1954. Also, a higher than normal incidence of growth retardation among young Rongelapese is reported. 1964 BmnRmeeanees 16 Kwajalein: The prime user of (continued on page 18) AR ESS S SSS SSeS Ss