In 1977, 15 years after the last above-ground nuclear weapons test,
the Centers for Disease Control** noted a possible leukemia cluster
among a small group of soldiers present at Shot SMOKY, a test of
Operation PLUMBBOB, the series of atmospheric nuclear weapons tests
conducted in 1957. Since that initial report by the Centers for
Disease Control, the Veterans Administration has received a number of
claims for medical benefits from former military personnel who believe
their health may have been affected by their participation in the
weapons testing program.

** The Centers for Disease Control are part of the U.S. Department of
Health and Human Services (formerly the U.S. Department of Health,
Education, and Welfare).

In late 1977, DOD began a study to provide data to both the Centers
for Disease Control and the Veterans Administration on potential
exposures to ionizing radiation among the military and civilian
participants in atmospheric nuclear weapons testing. DOD organized an
effort to:

o Identify DOD personnel who had taken part in the atmospheric nuclear
weapons tests

o Determine the extent of the participants' exposure to ionizing
radiation

o Provide public disclosure of information concerning participation by
military personnel in Project TRINITY.