Park Rangers Discover UXO in National Forest

Oscoda, Michigan  Two U.S. Forest Service personnel conducting a land survey in the Huron National Forest discovered a UXO in the middle of a forest road. The park rangers called the Michigan State Police Bomb Squad who responded to the scene. The bomb squad called in military EOD for support since the munition item was of military origin. EOD responded and disposed of the item through open detonation. An image of the discovered UXO is shown below which appears to be a WWII era AN/Mk3 practice bomb that contains a red phosphorus spotting charge.

A portion of the park, 2 tracts of land covering a total of 800 acres, remain closed to the public to minimize the potential explosive safety hazard. Restrictions on wood cutting have also been put into place. The discovery of the UXO was not a total surprise to park authorities as park service personnel plowing the area for planting of pine tree seedlings last spring turned up large pieces of bomb fragments. After that discovery, the USACE conducted a study of the area and reported that it was once leased by the Air Force and used for practice bombing and strafing exercises up until 1959. Reportedly, ordnance deployed at the site included .50 caliber ammunition, 100-lbs practice bombs, and small spotting bombs like the one discovered by the park rangers. Park rangers have erected warning signs and also put a stop to motorcycle scramble events that used to be held in the area.