From the Early Bird (unclass)
Columbia (SC) State
February 19, 2010
Pg. 1
Possible Fort Jackson Threat Probed
The Army has been looking for two months into allegations an attempt was being made to poison soldiers at Fort Jackson through the food supply, but the largest basic training post in South Carolina says no credible information to support the allegations has been found.
Fort Jackson issued this statement late Thursday night: "In December 2009, five Soldiers were investigated for potential verbal threats against fellow Soldiers. While the investigation continues there is currently no credible evidence to substantiate the allegations. At no time was there any danger to the Fort Jackson community."
A local law enforcement official familiar with the reports who insisted on anonymity said Thursday that there was no attempt made to poison any soldiers, adding that a rumor started when several disgruntled soldiers shot their mouths off late last year. There was never any threat, nothing credible, he insisted.
The investigation was first reported by Fox News and the Christian Broadcasting Network.
Both media outlets reported that five suspects were detained in December and were part of an Arabic translation program called "09 Lima." According to an article in the Army Times, "The 09 Lima program puts native speakers of Arabic, Dari, Pashtu, Farsi or Kurdish in uniform to serve alongside troops in combat."
Army spokesman Lt. Col. Christopher Garver said he could not release any specifics of the investigation by the Army's Criminal Investigative Service to protect its integrity.
"I can say that, according to CID spokespersons, they have not found any credible information to substantiate the allegations," Garver, who's based at the Pentagon, said in an e-mail.
He said he is unaware of any arrests made in the investigation.
Fort Jackson puts more than 50,000 men and women through entry-level and advanced training courses every year. Its food service spans an array of some 13 dining halls and about 40,000 hot meals are served on the base daily.