two sex attacks at the US Naval Air Station.

It is claimed a 17-year-old girl was raped by two servicemen in one assault.

And it is alleged two servicewomen were groped by three naval officers.

It is also claimed an investigator, who blew the whistle on the suspected cover-up, was ordered off the rape inquiry.

The call for an investigation follows PrimeTime Live's devastating portrayal of the base as a "Club Med'' playground for military VIPs.

ABC newsman Mr. Sam Donaldson's Thursday night expose included amazing allegations of junkets, unauthorised freebies, and illegal use of naval vehicles -- all at US taxpayers' expense.

His report is believed to have followed approaches from two Bermuda-based US Navy sailors over a story the network reported on rape in the military.

It has plunged the future of the St. David's Base into uncertainty, and whipped up a political storm.

Yesterday American Congresswoman Pat Schroeder demanded a full-scale investigation.

She called on US Defence Secretary Dick Cheney to put the Base on the closure list -- if it could not be justified militarily.

But Pentagon and Atlantic Fleet spokesmen yesterday steadfastly declined to comment.

Both said they did not comment on news stories.

Ms Schroeder, chairwoman of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Military Installations and Facilities, has also fired off letters to two senior military officers.

Her letters to the Pentagon's Chief of Navy Personnel Vice Admiral Ronald Zlatoper and Inspector General Derek J. Vander Schaff tell of her grave concern.

She demands a probe into the apparent "mismanagement of US Government assets, and gross waste of taxpayers' dollars through improper use at the station.'' In addition, she asks for an alleged cover-up of two sexual attack investigations to be looked into.

Neither incident -- including an alleged rape in August 1991 -- was mentioned in PrimeTime's report.

But Ms Schroeder claims she was told about them by the programme's two whistle-blowers -- Arms Senior Chief Petty Officer George Randall Taylor and Second Class Petty Officer Thomas William Coggins.

In her letter to Inspector General Schaff, she states: "Specifically, I would like you to investigate allegations that attempts were made to delay and stymie a sexual assault investigation.

"I am similarly concerned about a possible cover-up involving the rape of a 17-year-old girl by two service members,'' she said.

Ms Schroeder claims a report dismissing the rape allegation identified no witnesses, suspects, or leads.

And she alleges: "In approximately one month Chief Taylor and Petty Officer Coggins, and one other investigator managed to interview several witnesses, including the victim, and obtained a confession from the suspect.'' Ms Schroeder claims Chief Taylor was relieved of his duties for "waking a sleeping giant''.

"Chief Taylor was also ordered to undergo a psychiatric evaluation and Petty Officer Coggins was threatened with removal from his position as investigator.

"I am concerned, therefore, that both individuals were severely retaliated against for performing their duties and for reporting wrongdoing to their chain of command, the Navy Inspector General's office, and to my office.

"Moreover, Chief Taylor and Petty Officer Coggins reported that military planes and government vehicles were illegally authorised to transport vacationing personnel and others.'' In her letter to Vice Admiral Zlatoper she said both men were "superior sailors, and have been recognised for achievement and leadership.'' She asked that the pair be transferred outside the jurisdiction of the Atlantic Fleet.

"I trust that you will ensure that their careers experience no negative repercussions.'' It appears the base was operated as a "resort for vacation junkets for active duty personnel, their family members and friends, retired officers, and Department of Defence personnel,'' Ms Schroeder adds.

She also wrote yesterday to Mr. Cheney, and asked: "What is the military purpose for continued operations at NAS Bermuda, given the end of the Cold War?'' She added: "If NAS Bermuda cannot be justified by military necessity, then the Department should put it on the overseas base closure list. I know that you have already taken action to reduce operations at the base.

"I would also appreciate learning what the Department is doing regarding the abuses detailed in the PrimeTime Live programme.'' Capt. James Arnold US Base accused of cover-up Continued form Page 1 Ms Schroeder highlighted PrimeTime's allegation that only a third of military personnel visiting the base were on official business.

"The programme quoted Admiral Henry Mauz stating that he was in Bermuda on vacation.'' Yesterday Capt. Arnold could not be reached for comment.

But The Royal Gazette understands he held a meeting today with base personnel about the programme.

Sources claimed he described the Donaldson report as twisted and inaccurate.

He is said to have complained that a couple of hours of taped interview between himself and the correspondent had been reduced to a few seconds.

USNAS Bermuda spokeswoman Ensign Marie McGahan, responding to the programme, yesterday defended the role of the base.

She said it remained a "viable asset'' to the US Navy and the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation in fulfilling its national mission.

This mission was to support fleet units, transit and anti-submarine warfare air operations, and surface and submarine operations.

"It also provides humanitarian and medical evacuation operations for ships and subs.

"The command's NATO obligations include tasking to support protection of Southern Sea Lanes, anti-submarine warfare, mid-ocean resupply and support of transiting aircraft and ships.'' Ensign McGahan said the base also supported NATO/Allied/Fleet exercises.

"The Base is now in the process of accomplishing a downsizing of personnel that was programmed prior to the demise of the Soviet Union.

"This downsizing provides for a cost effective way of still yet flexibly responding to training and operational commitments in support of Atlantic Fleet units.

"Should there be any change to the role, tasking or infrastructure of USNAS Bermuda, it would evolve through the normal decision making process, involving the Department of the Navy, Department of Defence and State Department.

Decisions on overseas bases are ultimately confirmed by Congress.'' Capt. James Arnold.