Dugway Proving Ground facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Dugway Proving Ground |
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| Tooele County, Utah in the United States | |
Dugway Proving Ground encompasses a vast area of the western Utah desert
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 Dugway
Location in the United States
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| Coordinates | 40°13′15″N 112°44′39″W / 40.22083°N 112.74417°W |
| Type | Military test center |
| Site information | |
| Owner | Department of Defense |
| Operator | US Army |
| Controlled by | Army Test and Evaluation Command |
| Condition | Operational |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1942 |
| In use | 1942 – present |
| Events | Dugway sheep incident (1968) |
| Garrison information | |
| Current commander |
Colonel James P. Harwell |
Dugway Proving Ground (DPG) is a special place where the United States Army tests defense systems. It was started in 1942. This facility is located in a very quiet and isolated area in Tooele County, Utah. It is about 85 miles (140 km) southwest of Salt Lake City, Utah.
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Where is Dugway Proving Ground?
Dugway Proving Ground is in Tooele County, Utah. It is about 85 miles (140 km) southwest of Salt Lake City, Utah. This huge area covers 801,505 acres (3,243 km²). That's about the size of the state of Rhode Island! It is part of the Great Salt Lake Desert. Mountains surround it on three sides.
Only a small number of people live there. In 2010, about 795 people lived in the community of Dugway, Utah. This community is on the far eastern side of the proving ground.
Dugway is also near the Utah Test and Training Range. Together, these two areas form a very large space for special flight tests. This makes it the biggest area for these kinds of tests in the continental U.S.
The name Dugway comes from an old way of building roads. People would dig a trench into a hillside to make a flat path. Wagons could then travel along this path.
What Does Dugway Do?
Dugway's main job is to test defense systems. These systems are designed to protect against certain types of weapons. The tests happen in a safe and isolated environment. This helps keep everyone safe.
DPG is also used for training. The United States Army Reserve and United States National Guard train there. The United States Air Force also uses it for flight tests. These flights often come from Hill Air Force Base. Army special forces have also trained there. They prepare for missions in places like Afghanistan.
History of Dugway Proving Ground
Starting Up During World War II
In 1941, the U.S. Army needed a new testing place. They wanted a location that was more remote than their existing one in Maryland. So, they looked around the Western U.S. Construction of Dugway Proving Ground began in the spring of 1942. Much of what happened at Dugway was kept secret.
Testing started in the summer of 1942. During World War II, Dugway tested many things. This included different types of chemical defense systems. They also tested flamethrowers and chemical spray systems. They worked on ways to protect soldiers.
After World War II, Dugway became less active. It was closed down in August 1946.
Reactivation and New Training
The base was reopened during the Korean War. In 1954, it became a permanent Army base. Later, in 1958, a special school moved to Dugway. This school taught about chemical, biological, and radiological weapons.
From 1985 to 1991, Dugway was home to a special training program. This was for the Ranger School. Students learned desert survival skills and small unit tactics. This program was later moved to Texas.
Spacecraft Landing and Other Activities
On September 8, 2004, a NASA spacecraft landed at Dugway. The spacecraft had a problem during its return to Earth. It was directed to land in the desert. The soft desert ground helped cushion its impact.
Dugway is also home to special equipment. This equipment tracks national flight tests. It helps monitor aircraft during their test flights.
Over the years, Dugway has conducted many tests. These tests involved different types of materials. They were all part of developing defense systems.
The "Sheep Kill" Incident
In March 1968, a sad event happened near Dugway. Over 6,000 sheep died in Skull Valley. This area was about thirty miles from Dugway's testing sites. When the sheep were checked, it was found they had been poisoned. This happened around the same time as some tests at Dugway.
People in the area wondered if the Army was responsible. The Army first said no. But later, tests on the sheep showed a chemical was present. The Army never said it was their fault, but they did pay the ranchers for their lost sheep. This incident made many people think more about how testing affects the environment. It also showed how important it is to control these types of tests.
Government Reports
In 1994, the U.S. General Accounting Office released a report. It said that between 1940 and 1974, the Department of Defense did many tests. These tests involved different substances.
UFO Speculation
Some people have suggested that Dugway Proving Ground might be a secret place for UFOs. This idea became popular after Area 51 got a lot of attention. Some believe that any secret operations from Area 51 might have moved to Dugway.
Dave Rosenfeld, who leads Utah UFO Hunters, has claimed that UFOs have been seen near Dugway. He thinks that military aircraft cannot explain all the strange things seen there. He even called Dugway the "new Area 51."
Dugway Proving Ground often jokes about these rumors. They sometimes make fun of the idea on their social media. For example, in 2021, they had shooting targets shaped like aliens for kids. In 2023, a Halloween race at the base was called the "Alien Invasion." Its slogan was "come see the history of Area 52."
