Dredging Operation Results in UXO Discovery

Manila, Philippines A dredging company working in the Pasig River near the Guadalupe Bridge discovered two unexploded projectiles. The dredging crew immediately ceased operations and called the Philippine Coast Guard for support who in turn dispatched its Special Operations Group-Explosive Ordnance Division (SOG-EOD) to respond. EOD identified the UXO as WWII era projectiles 76mm and 105mm (one each). EOD transferred the projectiles in an inflatable boat to the Coast Guard Base Farola in Manila City for proper disposal. A notice to mariners was then issued to vessels traveling along the Pasig River which connects Laguna de Bay to Manila Bay to take precaution due to potential for UXO in the area.

Three Killed in Illegal UXO Scraping Operation

Yandina, Solomon Islands three people were killed including a child and two adults when a UXO item exploded during an illegal munitions dismantling effort. Two other children nearby were critically injured in the blast and had to be taken to the local hospital. The two adults were reportedly attempting to extract the explosives out of WWII era UXO when one of them exploded. Local police responding to the incident reported that the two adults were boiling the UXO in hot water to melt the explosives out so that it could then be used for fishing. The use of explosive in fishing known as "dynamite fishing" is an illegal practice where explosives are used to kill and stun fish in an area which are then scoped up with a net.

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EOD Airman Killed From IED Explosion

Afghanistan Air Force Tech. Sgt. Anthony C. Campbell Jr., 35, of Florence, Kentucky, died of wounds suffered from the detonation of an IED in Helmand Province. Assigned to the 932nd Civil Engineer Squadron (EOD) based of Scott AFB, Campbell was responding to an IED discovery when it detonated. The military has not released any detailed information on the exact cause of the detonation.

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Roadside Cleanup Results in Grenade Find

Rosamond, California a roadside debris clearing crew found a hand grenade alongside the northbound lanes of State Route 14. The supervisor of the crew contacted the California Highway Patrol (CHP) for assistance. CHP rerouted traffic in the area and called the EOD from Edwards Air Force Base (AFB) for support. EOD responded and safely disposed of the grenade. The grenade was reported as a live grenade approximately 30 years old (specific nomenclature not provided). The highway was re-opened after EOD gave the all-clear. Authorities are looking into how the grenade ended up alongside the highway.

Man Drops Munitions Off To Museum

Fort William, United Kingdom An 82-year old man dropped off a donation to West Highland Museum, a pair of WWII incendiary bombs wrapped in a plastic grocery bag. The man explained to museum curator that he found the munitions back in 1943 when he was 15-years old. He explained to the woman that he and a schoolmate at found several incendiary bombs in a tree near their home. He explained how the bombs were safe because he and his friend "sawed the ends off to get the explosives out". Over the years, the devices eventually were made their way as bookends which sat on the man's shelf for over 50 years before he decided it was time to donate them to the museum.

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Homeowners Find WWII Era Grenade in Garden

Ballart, Australia Homeowners moving soil in their garden came across an old hand grenade. Initially the couple thought it was a potato but after removing some of the soil from around the item, they quickly discovered that it was no potato they were holding. After realizing what they had found was a hand grenade, the couple called the police who responded with an Australian Defence Force bomb disposal team. EOD identified the grenade as an un-fuzed WWII era British No. 36 high-explosive filled grenade. EOD safely transported the grenade to Melbourne for proper disposal.

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Fishing Trawler Nets UXO Crew Unaware of Hazard

Cape Agulhas, South Africa A commercial fishing trawler fishing 90 miles off-shore pulled up a large old rusted metal cylinder. The crew had no idea what the strange object from the sea was but standard procedure was not to drop heavy objects brought up by their nets back overboard unless they were too dangerous to transport back. When the ship returned from sea, cranes were used to unload any large debris items found. Assuming that the rusted heavy barrel like object was nothing more than debris, the crew secured it to the deck and continued to fish.

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Alabama Guard EOD Unit Preparing For Upcoming Deployment

Huntsville, Alabama a send-off ceremony is planned for Wednesday for the members of the Alabama Guard 441st Ordnance Battalion (EOD) as they head out to Camp Shelby for final training before their deployment to Iraq. The Battalion will deploy sometime in January to support the Army's 1st Armored Division and Task Force Troy (the counter IED mission). They will also help train at the Iraqi Army Bomb Disposal units. Four active duty Army EOD Companies will be under their command during their deployment to Iraq.

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BlogCFC was created by Raymond Camden. This blog is running version 5.5.002.