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Show Feature THE SAMPLER Friday, Feb. 20, 1981 By Connie L. Rupp Dr. Mortimer A. Rothenberg arrived at Dugway Proving Ground in the late fall of 1951 and he will retire on Feb. 26 after 29 years of service here -- . . 23 of them as Dugway s Scientific Director,. Dr. Rothenlierg's educational background and research duties involved him in the chemical arena well before his da vs at Dugway. .He explained, Before Dugway, Id been involved in research in this particular area actually since 1943; Ive worked in this field for nearly 40 years. WHEN I WAS at Columbus University as a graduate student and then as a staff member, I was in the Dept, of Biochemistry and the Dept, of Neurology. My basic research interests were in the chemical mechanisms of nerve transmission. It was during World War II that the nature of some f these neurotoxic. agents were recognized and, I think, were secretly brought out irom Germany; and since we were deeply involved in neuro-chemic-al research, it was natural that the Chemical Corps should come to our laboratory to have us investigate the mechanisms Of action. Neurotoxics that were provided to us, we discovered, were similar to those chemicals which we were examining in our own research. Most of the research for my doctorate thesis involved this type of study. A major part of our work was supported by contract to the Chemical Corps so I had a familiarity with many of the key chemical researchers. Our laboratory published over 25 research papers on the chemical reactions in nerve transmissioas. A lot of this work involved understanding the mechanisms of nerve transmission and how inhibitors work, he added. In 1949 after obtaining his doctoratedegree, Rothenlierg went to the University of Chicagos.Institute of Radiobiology and Biophysics, working in the same field. He said, We were more heavily involved there in the ionic interact ioas across the membranes of single nerve fibers, and it was a more detailed physiological investigation of the chemistry involved. AFTER TWO years in Chicago, the Rothenbergs decided it was not the place for them. We didn't lik? Chicago at all - the environment and so on, he said and then explained, One of my first unhappy experiences occurred during my first week in Chicago when I was using suburban transportation to go to the campus; someone brushed agaiust me. When I went to lunch, I discovered that my wallet was missing! So that turned me off that first week!" He was then approached by the Chemical Corps to come to Dugway. Rothenlierg said, I hesitated and almost accepted a position in Israel at the Weizman Institute, but after looking into it further, we decided things might lie too primitive for us.' The Dugway offer looked interesting. Being easterners, we decide we'd give the west a try for a couple of years and lo and behold, its 30 years later. We live in Salt Lake and we enjoy the people. We 've raised four children and they're doing very well. All of them have scattered to all points of the compass, but we have lots of friends here and we plan on staying. After 30 years, this is home. he added. I CAME to Dugway as Chief Biochemist in October of 1951 and at that time living conditions were very primitive here. He explained, Family at Dugway. In fact, there was no English housing was literally All of been had constructed during World War II and Village! Dugway there were probably 250 civilians and 50 military working here then. The lahoratorv facilities were fine, but living conditions left much to be desired. There were only two residences and one of them was occupied by the Commanding Officer. Must of the people assigned here lived in the bachelor quarters or if they were married and didnt have children, husbands lived in one BOQ and the wives in the other BOQ. Dugw ay was no place for children. As a matter of fact, I remember COL Yanka, who was the commander when I first got here, I remember he often ranted and raved at staff meetings about sex and sin - no further comment on that subject. Anyway, we decided to live in Tooele and we bought a home and lived there for 24 years and I commuted from there. Later we moved to Salt Lake. Dugway was reactivated in June, 1950 and its purpose was to develop and reactive a chemical testing program that had been discontinued at the end of WWII. Rothenlierg said, There was an urgent defense requirement and great pressures had developed to come up with answers to weapon system capabilities that were under development and for which there was no way non-existe- nt For 29 yean Dr. Rothenbergs face has been a familiar site to Dugwayites. From 1951 to the present, it hasn't really changed that much. of proving the efficacy of the system without some type of test. WHEN DUGWAY was first reactivated, it was established as a chemical test facility. At that particular time, there were also developments underway in the biological warfare field. Two yean later, the arignmAn came to Dugway to evaluate these biological weapons systems. A separate safari team was set up here called the Biological Warfare Assessment Laboratory. It was a tenant organization doing biological evaluations. Field support, meteorological support and other technical services were provided by the Dugway staff. Then in 1955 or so, that organization was consolidated and it became a permanent part of the Dugway organization. IN 1959 or so, larger scale biological and chemical test requirements were developed because of greater concern for the threat to our defense. Dugway was tasked with setting up an ecology and epidemiology program in different environments which were being considered for tests of more exotic weapons systems. Because of these overseas testing requirements and logistic problems, DOD decided to establish a Joint (Army, Air Force and Navy) Task Force to implement the program. So, in 1962 the Deseret Test Center (DTC) was established. DTC personnel reported to the Army Materiel Command. At the same time, TECOM was established and Dugway reported to that organization. DTC MANAGED the expanded program providing logistic and support functions, whereas the technical field expertise still came from Dugway. At one time, DTC was reported to have had the largest navy in the world. One ship had a complete laboratory aboard and a second ship, both of which had come from nuclear tests under JTF8, was a target vessel. AT its height, DTC employed about 1450 civilians and 400 or so military, exclud- . BUT OUR national posture was to retain a chemical retaliatory capability. Offensive chemical weapon systems had to be investigated and the threat to us and our allies had to be evaluated. Without doing so would leave us with no means of determining what our level of protection and decon- tamination migjit have to be. Our posture, as directed by the Dept, of Defense, has been to maintain the expertise at Dugway to evaluate these systems when called upon. Weve done a fantastic job at Dugway. Ibis is the only place in the free world where data can be developed on the capabilities of many of the offensive and defensive systems in the NATO arsenal. Dugway has been very active in the international area in data exchange activities with other allied countries. Weve been part of the Quadripartite Agreements with the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and Australia. We exchange all types of detailed technical information on capabilities and threat analyses with quadripartite people. THEY LOOK to us at Dugway to provide them with such information. They dont have the capabilities or test facilities to evaluate the threat. All of the basic information has had to come from Dugway. Were very proud of - . ing naval support personnel. Then, from 1968-7- 3 DTC and Dugway were combined and headquarters were moved to Salt Lake City. DTC was dissolved in 1973 with an ensuing traumatic impact on people - who lost jobs, were downgraded or required to move elsewhere. Most of the objectives for which DTC had been established had been fulfilled. Detante was coming to the fore at that time and the feeling was that we had to reduce some of our defensive efforts in biological, chemical and other types of programs already underway - assuming the Russians would do the street. same thine. It turned out that it was only a one-wa- v j . - r9. if Is 4 MG John J. Koehler, Jr., TECOM Commander, presents Dr. Rothenberg with a certificate of Charter Membership in the Senior Executive Service. what weve been able to do. Much of the defensive posture in the free world is based on field and laboratory data gathered at Dugway. And they still look to us. Weve had rapport with these people internationally for a long, long time and they depend on us. What weve been capable of doing here is developing data source information (which everyone relies on as a basis for their evaluation of a biological chem ical threat), but in the process weve also developed to o out there Were willing a tat ion for excellence. Were gung-hgroup. for a have we and good doing reputation break our backs to get a job done, work and being responsible. I think we can be proud of what we have done and I just hope it continues after I leave. Because of our expertise in sampcapabilities, our ling of aerosols and gases and the chemical resulted in TECOM deprograms have grown. This type of technical ability ciding to assign all its smoke weapon system evaluation to Dugway.RothenAn Exceptional Civilian Service Award in 1960 recognized Dr. to Dugway and for techniberg for bringing scientists and technical experts cal contributions to the National Defense efforts in chemical weapons systems and biological defense capabilities. The Commanding General of the Chemical Corps presented the award which was granted by the Secretary of micro-analytic- al the Army. , ROTHENBERG noted, Dugways been a fine place and I ve enjoyed it here. I think Ive had an opportunity to play a role in its development. Weve had our trials and tribulations. I see problems for Dugways future. Many people at Dugway are ready to retire and I dont see the flexibility or capability for developing our young been directpeople or bringing in fresh young blood. We have continuously other milir so like reduce many everywhere ed to reduce here, reduce there, test proin increases of tary installations. We have forecasts are there told that are grams over the next threeyears and simultaneously that is established only slim chances for personal increases. The philosophy contract support. these overload programs will have to be implemented with in firsthand ending with testing experience Unfortunately, I foresee people indirect for an not and ability having up in the management of contracts volvement in testing. I suspect thats not going to satisfy our professional people and they may decide to go elsewhere. He added as a final thought, In the near future, I believe, we will be seeon chemical ing a growing national defense interest in and greater emphasis to order In Dugway defensive accomplish systems. weaponry and chemical y of a instead relationship begoals, we need to develop a team spirit role to play in has a tween administrative and testing people. Everyone need to appreciate everymaking the whole system work effectively. We four-to-fivefo- ld we-the- Dr. Rothenberg completes one of his last projects as Dugway's Scientific Director. ones input. i t ' |