Report: Troops Guarding U.S. Nuclear Weapons Experimented With LSD

Service members guarding some of the nation's most devastating weapons bought, distributed, and used the hallucinogen LSD, as well as other mind-altering drugs as part of a underground drug ring that operated for months on a highly secure military base in Wyoming. 

Air Force records obtained by the Associated Press revealed that a slipup on social media by one of the airman allowed investigators to crack a drug ring at F.E. Warren Air Force Base over two years ago. According to the AP, 14 airmen were disciplined, and six were convicted in courts martial of LSD use, distribution, or both. 

“Although this sounds like something from a movie, it isn’t,” said Capt. Charles Grimsley, the lead prosecutor of one of several courts martial.

None of the service members were accused of taking the drugs while on duty, however, one airman did admit at his court martial that he would not have been able to respond if recalled to duty during an emergency situation after taking the drug.

LSD, or lysergic acid diethylamide, became popularized in the 1960's as a counter-culture drug. LSD users can experience paranoia, fear and panic, unwanted and overwhelming feelings, unwanted life-changing spiritual experiences and flashbacks. 

Investigators say the airmen implicated in the drug ring used LSD on base and off, and at least twice at outdoor gatherings. Others were also charged with using cocaine and ecstasy with civilians joining the airmen with the LSD use. 

The person said to be leader of the drug ring, Airman 1st Class Nickolos A. Harris, testified about how he got the LSD and other drugs from civilian sources, telling the court that he didn't have much trouble getting his hands on the drugs. 

“I absolutely just loved altering my mind,” Harris told the military judge. 

Harris pleaded guilty to using and distributing LSD and using ecstasy, cocaine and marijuana. Harris was ultimately sentenced to 12 months in jail along with other penalties, but avoided a punitive discharge until a pretrial agreement.

Most of the airmen involved with the drug ring were members of two security units at F.E. Warren - the 790th Missile Security Forces Squadron and the 90th Security Forces Squadron. The two units are in charge of the security and defense of the nuclear weapons on the base, as well as the missile complex. 

Photo: Getty Images


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