CBS 5 - KPHO Tests show what may be metal where veterans claim to have buried Agent Orange

A joint Investigative team of U.S. and Korean officials found evidence of what could be metal drums buried on a U.S. military base in South Korea. These results are crucial, because they show there is in fact something suspicious in the exact spot where a valley veteran and two other soldiers say they buried Agent Orange in 55-gallon metal drums, three decades ago. 

The team began looking into the allegations after CBS 5 Investigates first reported the claims of three military whistleblowers. They told CBS 5 News that they buried several hundred drums of Agent Orange and other chemicals on Camp Carroll base in 1978.

The deadly herbicide was used during the Vietnam war to clear the forests, as well as in the de-militarized zones in Korea to prevent North Koreans from crossing the border.           

After our investigation aired, the Army admitted to the massive dumping of hazardous chemicals on the base in 1978. They also say the toxins were dug up and removed the following year. But so far they have not been able to tell us where they then disposed of them.

For the last month the Korean Government and US Army have used ground-penetrating technology to see underground. Results from a magnetic survey show red-and-blue patterns surrounding the helipad and Area D (slide 1 of the slideshow above). Both colors indicate the presence of metal. 

The joint task force also used a process called, "Electrical Resistivity" to see underground.  An abnormality was spotted 14 meters beneath the surface. This is near the location where veterans Richard Cramer, Steve House and Bob Travis say they buried the drums of Agent Orange (slide 2 of the slideshow above).

The next step in the investigation, the team will take soil samples from the helipad area. Forty different locations have been mapped out where the team plans to drill.  A map of the heliport shows red and blue dots pin-pointing where the task force will drill into the earth (slide 3 of slideshow above). 

CBS 5 News has been informed they will bore down to 30-feet deep for samples. The next set of test results are expected later this month.

Copyright 2011 KPHO. All rights reserved.