TNT Donor Charges Stolen From Demo Site

Kalavasos, Cyprus Three pounds of TNT were reported missing by an explosives team with the Cyprus National Guard during what was supposed to be a routine munitions disposal operation. The reported theft occurred at the Kalo Chorio firing range when the 42 pits of obsolete and unserviceable munitions were being destroyed. The National Guard placed TNT donor charges in each of the 42 pits containing munitions. After the shots were initiated and Guard personnel checked the holes, they found one of the pits with the munitions still intact with no donor explosives charges present.

The incident was immediately reported and a helicopter stationed at the Larnaca airport was scrambled to the scene. The helicopter spotted a jeep driving away from the scene at an excessive rate of speed. Police responded and arrested the two men in the jeep who were reportedly scrap metal collectors known to hang around the Kalo Chorio firing range. The missing TNT charges were not found in the car.

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Tinian Government Pushes for Range Closure for MMRP Dollars

Tinian, Northern Mariana Islands Tinian Mayor Ramon Dela Cruz has requested assistance from Governor Fitial, as president of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) Military Integration Management Committee to petition the Navy to close Tinian's Mortar Range in hopes of obtaining MMRP dollars for cleanup.

The Mortar Range is covered in a lease that dates back to 1983 which was based on a Covenant signed in 1975. Under the lease agreement, Tinian is responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of the roadways and mowing of grasslands for the military. Concerns over the cost of the upkeep and maintenance coupled with the fact that the Navy reportedly does not anticipate using the range in the future, have prompted requests for the Navy to initiate closure of the range. Closure of the range would make the site eligible for MMRP funds which would cover the cost of cleanup based upon risk at the site.

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Fire on EOD Disposal Range

Oceanside, California a wildfire which started on or near the EOD Range at Camp Pendleton has burned over 1,000 acres of the installation. The exact cause of the fire is under investigation. At this point it's not clear if training or the use of munitions is the cause of the fire. Firefighters from the installation, State Forestry Department, and city of San Diego are busy fighting to control and extinguish the flames. At least one helicopter and two air tankers are being used in support of their efforts.

Fire officials are taking precautions as they fight the fire due to the potential for UXO in the area. The fire has not threatened any building or structures but the golf course has been evacuated as a safety precaution.

Military Training Sparks Fire, UXO Concerns Hinder Response

Fort Bliss, Texas a wildfire raging in the Organ Mountains has caused the closure of thousands of acres nearby recreational land area managed by the federal Bureau of Land Management. The fire that broke out Wednesday is suspected of being caused by a Canadian live-fire exercise involving military munitions. Over the past four days, hundreds of acres have burned but fire officials can only watch and monitor from a distance due to explosive safety concerns from UXO that is suspected of being in the area.

Rockets Overshoot Target and Land in Schoolhouse Yard

Kashmir A military training exercise conducted on a firing range in the Khour area (near the northern borders of India and Pakistan) resulted in two anti tank rockets landing within the boundary of a nearby school. The rockets reportedly overshot the target area and failed to detonate upon landing. The school was not occupied at time and no injuries or extensive property damage was reported. The incident did however spark a heated protest by the community who are calling for the range to be closed and for the training to be moved to other locations.

Study Confirms Depleted Uranium (DU) Munitions Usage

Big Island, Hawaii  A study and survey conducted by the Army at the Pohakuloa Training Area confirmed the use of depleted uranium (DU) munitions on the ranges. The DU usage was suspected to occur during the 1960s when Davy Crockett guns were reportedly fired on the ranges.

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