Welcome to UXOInfo.com's free monthly E-Newsletter on Unexploded Ordnance (UXO). UXOInfo.com is the largest site on the Internet for UXO related news and information. If you have not checked out the UXOInfo.com website, we encourage you to do so at www.uxoinfo.com. In addition to bringing you the latest UXO news and information, the UXOInfo.com website also provides the following:

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UXOInfo.com Launches the UXO Guest Author Program

Well summer is officially over and before you know it the holidays will be here. This month we have some interesting UXO news articles for you including four articles related to underwater munitions as well as some sad news from Iraq where another brave young EOD Airman has died in the line of duty. Other articles include a policy update from the DDESB and the launching of a new feature for UXOInfo.com, the UXO Guest Author program.

Please don't forget about Corporate Sponsorship opportunities with UXOInfo.com. Sponsorships are a great and effective way to get your UXO products and service offerings in front of potential clients each and every day. With an average of over 6,000 user sessions per month, your company will get direct exposure to this growing dynamic industry. Information on Corporate Sponsorship and advertising opportunities with UXOInfo.com can be found on UXOInfo.com.

Please enjoy this month's edition of UXOInfo.com's UXO E-Newsletter and stay safe out there on the ranges and in the field. As always, if you have any questions about the UXOInfo.com website, UXO E-NEwsletter, or UXO in general please email me at jenna@uxoinfo.com.

DDDESB Releases Update to 6055.9 Standard

The Department of Defence Explosive Safety Board (DDESB) released an updated version of their explosive safety standard 6055.9 STD. The update incorporates two series of changes and revisions which were initially incorporated in March and August 2009 respectively. Impacts to the UXO industry include updates to the section on Material Potentially Presenting An Explosive Hazard (MPPEH) (i.e., Section 16) which adds a sub section on the "Collection of MPPEH" (subsection 16-3).

Sub-section 16-3 covering collection of MPPEH does not incorporate any "new" requirements related to the management of MPPEH itself but rather updates the 6055.STD so that it agrees with language in DoD Instruction 4140.62 "Material Potentially Presenting an Explosive Hazard" which was updated in November 2008. The revised DDESB standard strengthens DoD's commitment to ensure that hazardous material is not released outside of its control and that all material inspected that is certified as safe (i.e., material documented as safe [MDAS]) is controlled and maintained to prevent potential co-mingling of un-inspected material (i.e., MPPEH) and material documented as an explosive hazard (MDEH).

The revised explosive safety standard does clarify when MPPEH processing areas and points require explosive safety siting. Siting is not required for temporary MPPEH collection points on operational ranges that are located and contained within the EQSD of the operational range. The standard also re-iterates the transportation requirements for MDEH and MPPEH. Only MDEH and MPPEH that is certified in writing as safe to transport can be transported in accordance with Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations including the need for establishing a hazard classification. According to the standard, the commander or responsible authority must authorize certifying personnel as technically qualified to make explosive safety transportation determinations.

View the 21 August 2009 update of DDESB 6055.9 Standard from UXOInfo.com.

Photographing Ordnance A How To Guide

Once an item of military ordnance has been discovered, all attempts should be made to correctly identify it and the condition in which it was found. In many cases older ammunition that is being discovered at various locations are being incorrectly identified and then destroyed. Often, only a single photograph is taken prior to the disposal. In many cases the photograph is out of focus and without accurate measurements being taken.

The purpose of this article is to review proper procedures on how to photograph military ordnance for the purpose of identification. The information is presented for reference purposes only. First a safety note: DO NOT MOVE OR DISTURB UNEXPLODED ORDNANCE OF ANY TYPE. RECORD ONLY THAT INFORMATION THAT CAN BE SAFETY OBTAINED WITHOUT MOVING OR JARRING THE ORDNANCE.

UXO or EOD Technicians involved in photographing and documenting the discovery and disposal of military ordnance will need to prepare a special tool kit containing the following items:

• Notebook (3x5" or larger)
• pencils or a pen with waterproof ink
• 12-inch or larger ruler
• tape measure
• outside calipers
• camera (either a digital or 35mm with a micro i.e., close-up lens)
• small magnifying glass
• small camel hair brush

Camera specifications are not listed as there are too many variations of cameras available commercially to cover them all. However, usually the more resolution the better and cameras with a manual zoom feature are preferred so detailed information can be captured. One should also consider the format and media the camera is compatible with so that images can be quickly and easily downloaded.

Identification of military ordnance can be a difficult undertaking. One of the main reasons for this is simply the enormous types and variations of ordnance that have been manufactured over the years and the numerous countries involved in the manufacturing process. The purpose of photographing military ordnance as it's discovered and prior to its disposal is to create a historical record of the discovery and the identification of each item of ordnance.

"A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words"

In the field of EOD, the quote above is a vital element in the day-to-day operations of an EOD or UXO Technician. The better the photograph and the more detail that the photograph contains, the better the ability of not only the EOD Technician but other military and civilian personnel is to positively identify recovered items of military ordnance. To cover the basics of good picture taking of ordnance, a series of real world examples is shown below along with a critique and suggestions on how the photograph can be improved.

The above photograph is an example of a photographic record of a recovered item of ordnance. It demonstrates a relatively good format that includes a written record of the time date and location of the discovery along with a positive identification of the recovered item which is included as part of the image itself. It also includes a ruler for relative size comparison. A good basic photograph. However, what could be done to improve on this would be a better close-up of the projectile itself with the brightness and contrast adjusted so that projectile is less masked by the surrounding soil. Also, the ruler should be placed along the axis of the projectile body. One other point would be to ensure that the written information does not contain potential errors. Please note that the caliber of this item of ordnance could be misunderstood as a 58mm instead of its correct caliber of 50mm by the way it is recorded, small errors like this should be avoided.

Article continued on the UXOInfo.com website.

Article submitted by UXO Guest Author Rick Stauber. For more information on the UXO Guest Author program, click here.

U.S. Sends Evaluation Team to WWII Battle Area

At the request of the request of the government of Papua New Guinea, the State Department's Weapons Removal and Abatement's Conventional Weapons Destruction Quick Reaction Force (QRF) deployed to Bougainville Island to assess the risk of UXO in the area. UXO in the area dates back to WWII when fierce fighting occurred between Allied and Japanese forces in 1944. The team is tasked with locating, assessing, and prioritizing areas containing UXO and coordinating with the local populace to better understand how the presence of UXO in the area has impacted the quality of life to include impacts to subsistence farming. The data gathered and assessments performed by the QRF will help guide potential future clearance options in cooperation with the government of Papua New Guinea and the Autonomous Government of Bougainville.

Old Car Part Turns Into Landmine Scare

Ashton-Under-Lyne, United Kingdom Two amateur photographers and brothers ages 24 and 39 taking pictures at the Park Bridge Heritage Center came across a metallic item half buried in the ground. Intrigued, the brothers decided to uncover it and take it with them to their parent's house three miles away. There they washed the dirt off the item in the utility sink. After the item was fully exposed, the two suspected that it may be a landmine. A quick search of the internet on landmines convinced the two un-trained civilians that the item was indeed a WWII era landmine.

The two then phoned the police who responded and evacuated the scene. An ambulance and a fire fighting unit were called in to standby. The police took photos of the item and sent them to a Royal Army EOD unit based in Chester. After reviewing the photos, EOD responded to investigate further. EOD conducted a visual survey and x-ray scan of the item before confirming that the item was not a landmine but rather an engine part from an old car. The all-clear was given and the family was allowed to return to their home after the four hour ordeal. The two brothers and their parents were reportedly relieved at the news.

UXO Hampers Fire Fighting Efforts

Oceanside, California three separate fires burning on military ranges on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton ranges had to be closely monitored from a distance due to the risk caused by potential UXO in the area. The fires were located in Whiskey Impact Area, Jardine Canyon, and Range 219/221. A total of 1,200 acres of range land were impacted as a result of the fire. The cause of the fires are under investigation and at this point authorities are not sure if the three fires are connected. Munitions use on the three ranges has not been ruled out as a cause.

UXO TECHNICIAN LEVEL 1 TRAINING in CANADA

In 2005, DND created the Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) and Legacy Sites Program to manage UXO risk on behalf of DND at legacy sites, both on land and offshore. The program was created to address a known problem:

• With numerous former military sites having the potential to contain UXO and with the legal liability that such conditions represent for DND, Senior Management in DND created the UXO and Legacy Sites Program to manage UXO on those sites.
• Former training areas are being encroached upon by expanding urban populations.
• These issues cannot be left to chance or the occasional clearance project - there needs to be consistency and there needs to be a comprehensive and enduring DND UXO Program.

There are 731 known Potential Land-Based UXO Legacy Sites and 63 Priority Offshore Sites within Canada and the Territories.

There is a critical shortage of UXO Technicians at present and no training program or civilian institution presently providing this training in Canada to the general public to meet this skill set shortage.

AMEC is offering the first UXO Tech 1 course to be taught in Canada. This course will be accredited by the University of New Brunswick with support from CFB Gagetown.

This course has been approved and accepted by Directorate of Ammunition and Explosives Regulations (DAER) the authorities in Canada on UXO qualifications. Course graduates are approved to work on UXO sites in Canada and a career in the UXO industry can begin.

The course is priced competitively with others in the United States and is offered with or without accommodations.

Established 35 years ago, EA Engineering, Science and Technology, Inc. is a small business, which has done nearly $1 Billion in HTRW/MEC investigation, restoration, design, and remediation in the last 15 years. EA has supported USACE, AFCEE, ANG and the Navy at thousands of sites nationwide under multiple DOD programs--including MMRP, SRP, IRP, FUDS and BRAC.

With 19 offices nationwide, EA is considered a leader in both HTRW and MEC. EA received the 2008 Environmental Business Journal Achievement Award for their work in the MEC Market. EA's staff of more than 400 professionals integrates MEC/UXO specialists, geologists, engineers, regulatory specialists, risk assessors, data management and communication specialists to provide practical solutions that help their clients achieve their business goals.

EA's standard of excellence is to consistently provide their clients with the highest level of technical competence, strong project management, worksite safety, quality control, and financial accountability.

For more information on EA, please visit their website at www.eaest.com.

CH2M HILL is an industry leader providing munitions response services for planning, compliance, investigation and removal or remediation services. CH2M HILL provides the full scope of services required to support mission goals at sites suspected or known to have Munitions and Explosives of Concern (MEC) contamination, from environmental management and permitting to regulatory site closure and property transfer.

CH2M Hill is the only company that has a transportable Controlled Detonation Chamber (CDC) technology approved by the Department of Defense Explosives Safety Board (DDESB) for destruction of munitions, explosives, and energetics. CH2M HILL provides the following munitions response services:

• Characterization Services
• Removal/Remediation Services
• Digital Geophysical Mapping (DGM) Surveys
• Explosives Risk Assessments
• Regulatory Compliance
• Air Monitoring
• Chemistry Services
• Controlled Detonation Chamber (CDC) Technology

With over 14 years of Environmental Remediation expertise, Enscicon Corporation has established an industry-leading approach to locating and attracting top-level talent for our clients. With a team dedicated to the UXO/MEC/EOD industries, we are able to assist in supporting clients with exceptional personnel including:

• Program Managers
• Project Managers
• Operations Managers
• Project Scientists (Geophysicists, Geologists, Physicists)
• UXO Techs
• Health & Safety Engineers
• Environmental Engineers
• Technical Writers/Illustrators

For more information, please see our website at www.enscicon.com, or contact Jack Hamlin at hamlinj@enscicon.com or 303-785-8028.

Schonstedt Instrument Company is the world's leading manufacturer of hand-held Fluxgate magnetometers for UXO and weapons detection. Schonstedt magnetic locators find ferrous metal targets used in landmines, buried ordnance, other munitions and explosives of concern (MEC), and hidden weapons. They have been tested and proven by the US military, private contractors and NGOs in military and humanitarian de-mining operations around the globe. For a 1-page overview of the company's magnetic locator product line, go to www.findordnance.com

Schonstedt Instrument Company
100 Edmond Road
Kearneysville, WV 25430
USA
Contact: Tylee Ulmer

Information on Corporate Sponsorships can be found in the UXO Opportunities Brief. If you have any questions on Corporate Sponsorships or want to sign up, please contact the UXOInfo.com Marketing Coordinator, Ms. Jenna Coven at jenna@uxoinfo.com or 267.295.8010.

Fishing Vessel Nets UXO EOD Responds

Gosport, United Kingdom A fishing vessel brought up a UXO in its nets between Stokes Bay, Gosport and Ryde on the Isle of Wight. The captain of the fishing boat reported the find to the Coastguard who responded with a Royal Navy EOD team. EOD inspected the UXO and decided to lower it back in the water until a controlled detonation could be scheduled. A temporary exclusion zone was established around the area and a notice to mariners issued. The exclusion zone caused boat traffic to the Southampton Boat Show to be diverted. Within a couple of days, EOD was able to schedule the underwater disposal operation and UXO was safely disposed of without incident. The exact type of UXO was not reported but officials did indicate that the item was approximately 1 foot in diameter and 3 feet long.

Permanent Exclusion Zone Set Up For Seal Island Due to UXO

Seal Island, Maine The Coast Guard announced that it will establish a permanent safety zone around Seal Island from the shoreline out to the 60 foot depth curve. The Coast Guard considered the safety zone to be necessary for "the safety of life on the navigable waters around Seal Island by protecting mariners from the hazards of MEC [munitions and explosives of concern] found in the area". The safety zone prohibits persons and vessels from entering transiting, diving, dredging, dumping, fishing, trawling, conducting salvage operations, remaining within or anchoring in the designated safety zone unless authorized by the Coast Guard Captain of the Port Northern New England.

The interim rule which was published in the Federal Register went into effect on September 8. The Coast Guard has an open comment period on the rule through December 7, 2009 and has offered to hold a public meeting if needed. Requests for a public meeting must be received by the Coast Guard on or before September 30, 2009.

Article continued on the UXOInfo.com website.

Whether you need to find and hire full-time permanent UXO professionals or part-time as-needed UXO Technicians, UXOInfo.com can help.

Finding qualified full-time permanent personnel to fit your specific project and company needs can be challenging. Hiring a traditional head-hunter is one option however, most head-hunters cover a wide variety of industries and do not understand the technical details associated with UXO. Why not use an organization that knows and understands UXO, has a large network to find and locate personnel, and has an effective screening process in place at a less than half the cost. UXOInfo.com's UXO Referral Service specializes in locating and screening candidates to fill the following positions:

• UXO Project and Program Managers
• Engineers and Scientists with UXO experience
• Geophysicists
• Researchers and UXO Technology Developers
• UXO Health and Safety Professionals
• UXO Field Managers
• Risk Assessors and Mapping Experts with UXO experience
• IED and UXO Instructors
• International and Speciality Positions
• Chemical Warfare Materiel (CWM) Personnel

Through the UXO Referral Service, UXOInfo.com will locate and pre-screen candidates based upon the specific needs of your organization. UXOInfo.com knows the business and knows the right questions to ask to properly screen personnel. Only those candidates that are highly qualified and meet your screening criteria will be referred for consideration.

For companies seeking to hire for part-time positions including temporary UXO Technicians on a project-by-project basis to augment existing staff during busy field seasons, UXOInfo.com offers access to the UXO Technician Network. By subscribing to the UXO Technician Network, companies can access the largest on-line network of qualified and available UXO Technicians to staff any type of UXO project. Companies looking for qualified and available UXO Technicians email UXOInfo.com their project specifications ( e.g., location, scope, duration, levels and numbers of positions available). UXOInfo.com then creates a customized announcement that will be emailed to the hundreds of registered UXO Technicians in the network. Interested and available candidates respond directly to the point of contact provided in the announcement.

For more information on the UXO Referral Service and the UXO Technician Network including 6-month and 12-month subscription rates please contact the UXOInfo.com Marketing Coordinator, Jenna Coven at jenna@uxoinfo.com.

Enter your resume into the UXOInfo.com UXO Resume Database and start receiving offers and opportunities in the UXO industry. Use the UXO Profile Entry Form and complete your free profile today. By completing a profile, you automatically become part of the UXO Resume Response Line and UXO Technician Network. Sign up for free and start receiving UXO opportunities.

Air Force EOD Causality

Afghanistan U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Bryan D. Berky, 25 was killed in an apparent insurgent ambush near Bala Baluk in the western province of Farah. Sgt. Berky was assigned to the 28th Civil Engineer Squadron of the 28th Bomb Wing, based at Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota. Bryan was an experienced EOD Airman and combat veteran as he previously served in Kuwait and Afghanistan before being deployed again to Afghanistan with Army forces. He was five months into his 6-month tour of duty. He is survived by his wife, infant son, parents, and a brother.

Unexpended Marine Marker Washes Ashore

Dauphin Island, Alabama a woman walking along the beach near her home found a munition item floating close to shore. The woman called the local fire department who responded and pulled the item out of the water for further review. After identifying the item was military ordnance, the fire department called the military for assistance. Due to the location of the find, the Air Force EOD Team from Hurlburt Field in Florida was tasked to respond. The fire department set up a temporary exclusion zone around the item while waiting for EOD to respond.

EOD responded and identified the munition as a marine marker (shown in the image to the right) and determined that it still contained its red phosphorous filler. The EOD team covered the munition in wet sand to prevent it from burning while they prepared the area for an open detonation. EOD dug a hole in the sand approximately 18 inches deep and placed the unexpended marine marker into it. C4 was used to counter charge the item. The temporary exclusion zone was lifted after the item was safely detonated.

Navy EOD Responds to WWII Era UXO Found in River

Springfield, Massachusetts an environmental contractor conducting a survey of the Connecticut River came across a munition item on the river bottom. The find was reported to the state police who responded with the Springfield Fire Department. The police called the military for support which resulting in the Navy dispatching an EOD from Newport, Rhode Island to respond.

EOD identified the munition as an unexploded WWII era shell (specific type not reported). EOD carefully relocated the UXO item further away from the shoreline into deeper water before conducting an underwater controlled detonation to dispose of the UXO. Authorities are unsure how the UXO ended up in the river but it was reported to be very rusty which indicates that it has been in the river for a lengthy period of time.

Man Uncovers UXO in Garden and Washes It In Kitchen Sink

Exeter, United Kingdom A 32-year old man digging in his back garden uncovered what he thought was an old lawn mower part. Curious as to what exactly the item was, the man decided to take it in his house where he proceeded to wash the dirt off the item in his kitchen sink. The man then left the item near the sink to dry off as he researched the Internet to see if he could identify the newly found object. After some searching, the man suspected that the item was a munition. Not sure exactly what to do, the man decided that he would put the munition back in his garden before calling the police to report the find.

The police responded with technical support provided by a local bomb squad. The bomb squad identified the munition as a WWII era anti-tank grenade. The bomb disposal unit set up an exclusion zone around the live item, which resulted in the evacuation of approximately a dozen homes before conducting a controlled detonation to dispose of the UXO. Based upon a picture of the item, UXOInfo.com identified the UXO as a British No-68 Anti-Tank Grenade. More information on the Grenade can be found in the Munition of The Month article below.

Prior to the start of WWII, the British developed the No. 68 Rifle Grenade. It was initially introduced into Britian's military service around mid-1940 but by 1942 it was withdrawn from front line service and issued to Home Guard units. The Home Guard units were essentially civilian militias that were armed by the military to assist in the event the homeland was invaded. The No. 68 Rifle Grenade was deployed using a specialty designed "discharge cup" fitted on the barrel of a Mk-III service rifle.

There were four modifications to the No. 68 grenade, all of which involved minor modifications to the design of the munition and changes to the explosive filler. One type of explosives authorized in the grenade was Lyddite, which is a form of picric acid. Other explosives used in the various modifications of the grenade included RDX, TNT, and Pentolite.

The No. 68 Rifle Grenade was a rudimentary shape charge with a basic design flaw. A quick review of the cut-away line drawing shown above indicates the lack of a standoff between the target and the detonation of the grenade. A standoff distance is needed in order to allow time (i.e., micro seconds) for the proper development of an explosive jet to form. Without the standoff, the jet does not fully form which results in minimal target penetration.