US Troops 'Took And Distributed LSD At Nuclear Missile Base'

The circulation of the drug took place at Francis E. Warren Air Force Base. (Picture: US Department of Defense).

US military personnel bought, distributed and took LSD on a nuclear missile base which went undetected for months, according to air force files.

The drug use was brought to light after a Freedom of Information request unearthed records, including transcripts of courts-martial proceedings and related documents.

The records said the LSD and other mind-altering illegal highs were found on the highly secure Francis E. Warren Air Force Base, as a drug ring operated for months.

Lead prosecutor of one of several courts-martial, Charles Grimsley, said:

"Although this sounds like something from a movie, it isn't."

A slip-up on social media by one airman enabled investigators to crack the drug ring at Francis E. Warren Air Force Base in Wyoming in March 2016.

Fourteen airmen were disciplined, of whom six were convicted in courts-martial of LSD use or distribution or both.

None of the airmen were accused of using drugs on duty.

Airman 1st Class Tommy N Ashworth confessed to using LSD three times while off duty, stating "I felt paranoia, panic".

He said he first took the drug in the summer of 2015, which shook him up.

"I didn't know if I was going to die that night or not," he explained.

It is unclear how long before being on duty any of the airmen had taken LSD.

Airman 1st Class Nickolos A Harris testified that he had no trouble getting LSD and other drugs from civilian sources.

He pleaded guilty to using and distributing LSD and using ecstasy, cocaine and marijuana. He was sentenced to 12 months in jail and other penalties, but under a pre-trial agreement, he avoided a punitive discharge.

One of the accused, Airman 1st Class Devin R Hagarty, fled to Mexico.

"I started panicking," he told a military judge after giving himself up and being charged with desertion.

He was sentenced to 13 months in a military jail.