About this Unit
Johnston Atoll, a remote island in the Pacific Ocean, has held strategic military importance for the United States since its initial occupation in 1934. During World War II, the atoll was developed into an airbase and refueling station, supporting operations across the Pacific theater. In the Cold War era, it served as a launch site for nuclear and missile tests, as well as a storage and disposal site for chemical weapons. The military presence on Johnston Atoll continued until the late 1990s, when environmental cleanup and demilitarization efforts led to the closure of the base.
Historical Facts
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Discovery and Early Use: Johnston Atoll was discovered accidentally in 1796 by American ship captain Joseph Pierpont, but it was later named after Captain Charles J. Johnston, who sighted it in 1807.
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Military Control: The U.S. Navy took formal control of Johnston Atoll in 1934, and it became a key military outpost in the Pacific for most of the 20th century.
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World War II Role: During World War II, the atoll was fortified and used as a refueling and supply base for aircraft and ships operating in the Pacific theater.
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Atomic Testing: In the 1950s and 1960s, Johnston Atoll was a major site for high-altitude nuclear tests, including the infamous "Starfish Prime" hydrogen bomb test in 1962.
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Missile Defense Testing: The atoll was used for testing anti-ballistic missile systems and as a launch site for Thor and later Nike Hercules missiles during the Cold War.
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Chemical Weapons Storage and Disposal: Johnston Atoll became the primary storage and disposal site for U.S. chemical weapons in the Pacific, with the Johnston Atoll Chemical Agent Disposal System (JACADS) operating from 1990 to 2000.
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Accidental Chemical Leaks: The site experienced several accidental chemical agent leaks, including a 1969 incident where sarin gas leaked from a bomb, requiring major cleanup and safety improvements.
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Biological Weapons Testing: The U.S. conducted top-secret biological weapons tests at Johnston Atoll in the 1960s, including "Project SHAD," to study the dispersal of biological agents.
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Ecological Impact: Despite heavy militarization and contamination, Johnston Atoll remains an important refuge for seabirds and marine life, and is now part of the Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument.
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Abandonment and Legacy: The atoll was officially closed as a military base in 2004, and most of the infrastructure was dismantled, leaving behind a complicated legacy of nuclear and chemical contamination.
