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.

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The UXO E-Newsletter is issued monthly to provide the industry with important news and information related to UXO. For information on how to advertise in future UXO E-Newsletters please email the UXOInfo.com Marketing Coordinator, Ms. Jenna Coven at jenna@uxoinfo.com.

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Greetings From Jenna

Wow, what an interesting and busy field season this has been. Due to project workloads including major UXO projects in places like Adak, Alaska and Vieques, Puerto Rico as well as the on-going war on terror, the demand for UXO Technicians has never been greater. Most companies in the industry are finding it a challenge to staff their field teams and projects. I want to let industry know that UXOInfo.com is here to help. We can provide assistance in several ways including running help wanted ads and performing custom resume searches. We arguably maintain the largest resume database of UXO professionals including technicians of all levels. Give UXOInfo.com a list of the needs and requirements of your project and let us help you find qualified and available candidates. For more information on these services please contact me directly.

This month we have some very interesting articles for your viewing enjoyment including two articles on the false alarm problems that inert munitions and munitions debris are causing at scrap metal recycling facilities. This past month has also not been good for the French from an explosive safety perspective. Not only were demolition explosives stolen from a magazine but a military demonstration show went terribly wrong when some how live small arms bullets instead of blanks were loaded into guns used during the show.

I would also like to take this time to welcome a New Corporate Sponsor to UXOInfo.com - USA Environmental. We certainly appreciate all of our Corporate Sponsors who make the UXOInfo.com website and the monthly UXO E-newsletter possible. For information on Corporate Sponsorship packages, please see the advertising information page or view the UXO Opportunities Brief that I put together.

As always, we welcome any articles, documents, and images for posting as well as comments on the website and UXO E-Newsletter. Thank you and please stay safe on the range.

DoD Offers Unique UXO Discrimination Incentive

UXO Discrimination is a term used in the industry to define the ability of a geophysical sensor or process to distinguish a UXO item from a non-hazardous piece of scrap or metallic debris. A significant portion of DoD's research and development (R&D) budget related to UXO over the past seven (7) years (or more) has been dedicated to improving UXO discrimination capabilities. The idea is that improved UXO discrimination will result in a savings to DOD (i.e., less holes to dig as only known UXO items will be removed and non-hazardous scrap will be left in place).

In a recent contract request for proposal (RFP) issued by the Army for a Remedial Investigation (RI) at Fort Monroe in Virginia, the Army has included a unique inventive award directly tied to the contractor's ability to discriminate UXO from non-hazardous scrap.

Article continued on the UXO News Wire Service - Fort Monroe Discrimination Incentives

WWII Era UXO Found in Landfill

Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada workers at the Crane Mountain landfill routinely screen garbage and debris as it is processed. During the screening process, workers noticed a bag of garbage that seemed suspicious. After investigating further workers found two WWII era munitions inside including one live grenade. Workers called the police who responded with support from a Canadian military EOD unit. The EOD unit safely removed the munitions from the site without incident.

New Book Details Procedures for Chemical and Explosive Munitions Cleanup

Cleanup of Chemical and Explosive Munitions, by Dr. Richard Albright walks the reader through the steps that need to be taken to clean up a military munitions site, base or storage facility on land or at sea. It also conveniently lists hundreds of explosives, chemical warfare materials, and breakdown products that the soil and groundwater must be tested for.

This is essential reading for personnel responsible for cleaning up active and formerly used defense sites (FUDS) both on land and sea. It covers remote sensing techniques, geophysical techniques, safety issues, known and unknown range lists, and serves as a primer on chemical weapons, explosives and ordnance. It is written for military munitions experts and decision-makers who need to understand the critical environmental and health risks arising from munitions issues; as well as for environmentalists, regulators, policy makers and activist citizens who are unaware of munitions issues.

The book is available at a discount through the publisher at http://www.williamandrew.com/title.php?id=10.

For more information on Cleanup of Chemical and Explosive Munitions, please view the Publisher's Press Release.

Grenade Found in Topsoil Delivery

Milton, New York A construction crew sifting topsoil onto a residential lawn was surprised when a grenade fell out of the front-end loader onto the ground. The workers called the police to report the unusual find. The Saratoga County Sheriff's Office responded with technical support provided by the New York State Police Squad. The bomb squad identified the grenade as live and reported that the grenade had been in the ground for a long time. The grenade was safely transported and disposed of by the bomb squad. Authorities are conducting an investigation to determine where the topsoil originated from and if the potential exists for more munitions.

Munitions and Scrap Metal Recyling Yards

It is common practice for scrap metal processors to recieve and process inert munitions and munitions debris that has been visually inspected and determined to be free from explosive hazard. However, over the years this practice has resulted in countless hours of valuable bomb disposal and EOD manpower time responding to false-positive calls. Below are two examples of such calls in the past month alone. Surely something needs to be done to ensure better control, marking, and proper demilitarization of inert munitons and munition debris to minimize or eliminate these types of incidents.

Phoenix, Arizona Maricopa County Sheriff's deputies responding to an unrelated incident at the All Products Recycling Center came across a munition item leaning against a fence. The Sheriff's Office called in the ATF and military EOD from Luke Air Force Base to respond. EOD identified the munition item as an inert rocket. Authorities are investigating how the munition ended up at the recycling facility in the first place.

Salina, Kansas A landscaper almost fell off his tractor when he came across two 500 pound bombs while cutting grass behind the Salina Iron and Metal Scrap Yard. The landscaper called the police who responded with technical support provided by the 774th EOD unit from Fort Riley.

The EOD unit identified the munitions as inert concrete filled 500-pound bombs. The bombs came from the National Guard Smoky Hill Range and were waiting to be recycled. The EOD unit left the bombs on site as they posed no explosive safety threat.

Demolition Explosives Missing From Temporary Storage Facility

Lyon, France French Authorities reported that commercial demolition explosives slated for use by bomb disposal teams clearing historic battlefields have gone missing. Authorities suspect that the over 60 pounds of Semtex and dozens of live detonators were stolen from a storage site located on a former military facility.

The facility, which had been transferred from France's Defense Department to the Department of Ministry back in 2005 reportedly did not have adequate security measures in place to support the storage of explosives. The demolition explosives that are now missing have been in storage since the beginning of this year. A detailed investigation is underway to determine who stole the explosives and to determine how explosives ended up being stored in an inadequate facility in the first place.

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

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

USA Environmental, Inc. provides Munitions Response Services including characterization and remediation of federal and non-government sites that are contaminated with Munitions and Explosives of Concern (MEC) and Unexploded Ordnance (UXO).

MEC/UXO Services:
• Characterization
• Remediation and Disposal
• Range Maintenance
• Avoidance
• Consultation

Related Services:
• Digital Geophysical Mapping (DGM
• GPS Surveying and GIS Mapping
• MEC Underwater Capabilities
• Range Reconnaissance
• Preliminary Assessments/Site Inspection (PA/SI)
• Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Study (RI/FS)

• Engineering Evaluation/Cost Analysis (EE/CA)
• Technology Evaluation
• Demining
• Cost, Schedule, and Risk Controls
• Archival Searches and Cultural Compliance

EOD Technology, Inc. (EODT), an employee-owned company, has provided munitions response, security services, and critical mission support worldwide in austere and hostile environments since 1987.

EODT delivers superior services to all branches of the military, foreign and domestic governments, and commercial clients. Specifically, EODT has been under contract with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers since 1997, and has provided support to the U.S. Army, Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps. EODT has also provided security and IT support to the Multi-national Security Transition Command in Iraq, and Guard Services to a foreign embassy. EODT also provides Mine Action and Munitions Response services to a number of commercial clients.

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.

Munitions Depot Fire Results in Multiple Explosions

Sofia, Bulgaria A large munitions depot caught fire which caused several rounds to explode sending shrapnel flying throughout the area. No major injuries have been reported as a result of the accident. Authorities have evacuated residents for several miles and the airport has been temporarily closed over concerns of the potential for more explosions. Military officials estimate that over 1,500 tons of ammunition is stored at the facility. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

French Army Bans Blank Ammunition

Paris, France A public military show took a turn for the worst when 17 people including three children were unintentionally shot. Apparently a gun used in the show was accidentally loaded with real bullets instead of blanks. The incident occurred during a demonstration of hostage-freeing techniques.

The soldier who fired the gun was immediately taken into custody but after a detailed investigation was conducted it was found that all indications suggest that the act was not intentional or deliberate. As a result of the accident the French military has banned the use of blank ammunition at public military shows and the Chief of the Army, General Bruno Cuche resigned. None of the 17 victims sustained critical of life threatening injuries.

Unexploded Fireworks Found Along Beach

Nassau County, New York Approximately 100 unexploded fireworks have washed up on Jones Beach following a July 4th fireworks show. Police closed the beach shortly after the first unexploded firework was discovered and called in support from a New York State Bomb Squad to conduct a comprehensive search of the area.

The Chinese-made shells were traced back to Bay Fireworks, the company that conducted the fireworks show at Jones Beach for the past seven years. Authorities are investigating whether the fireworks may have come from an extra box of pyrotechnics that were reportedly brought on-site as a backup in case any of the original fireworks turned out to be duds. It's unclear how many unexploded fireworks may have been lost.

No injuries were reported but officials are warning the public to report any suspicious items found in the park.

HFA is the UXO contractor selected to perform the preconstruction clearance and provide follow on construction support at the new Digital Multi-Purpose Training Range (DMPTR) at Fort Bliss's Dona Ana Range 52. The project site is located in Dona Ana County, New Mexico. HFA is seeking UXO Technicans (all levels) to support the project.

For More Information on the UXO Technician positions including instructions on how to apply see the HFA Help Wanted Ad on the UXOInfo.com website.

Shaw Environmental and Infrastructure, Inc., a subsidiary of The Shaw Group, Inc. www.shawgrp.com, provides integrated financial, regulatory, scientific, engineering, construction, and program management services for government and private-sector clients worldwide. Our highly-skilled team of thousands of professionals is strategically located throughout the United States and abroad to provide innovative solutions to complex environmental and infrastructure challenges. We are currently seeking the following in our Edgewood, Maryland office.

For More Information on the Military Munitions Specialist position including instructions on how to apply see the Shaw Environmental Help Wanted Ad on the UXOInfo.com website.

For More Information on the Program Manager positions including instructions on how to apply see the USA Environmental Help Wanted Ad on the UXOInfo.com website.

• Saipan - UXO Tech III's and UXO Tech II's
• Ft. Meade, MD - UXO Tech II
• Pine Ridge, SD - UXO Tech II
• Okinawa - UXO Tech III and UXO Tech II's

• Vieques, PR - UXO Tech III's and UXO Tech II's
• Adak Island, AK - UXO Tech II's
• Fort McClellan, AL - UXO Tech I's

For More Information on the UXO Technician positions listed including instructions on how to apply see the USA Environmental Help Wanted Ad on the UXOInfo.com website.

EODT is currently working on Georgia Range located at Youngsan Army Base, South Korea on a UXO Clearance and Demining Job. UXO Technicians Levels 1, 2 and 3 are needed. For More Information on the UXO Technician positions listed see the EODT Help Wanted Ad on the UXOInfo.com website

Check out the updated UXO Resume Response Line - an on-line employment referral service specifically designed for the UXO industry. Through the UXO Resume Response Line, the skills of UXO professionals are matched with the needs of UXO remediation and consulting companies.

Simply fill out a profile and to submit your resume on-line using the UXO Profile Entry Form. From temporary part-time positions to full time permanent placements, let the UXOInfo.com Resume Response Line find a position for you. Best of all, there is never a fee for UXO Technicians to complete an on-line UXO Profile.

UXOInfo.com understands how difficult it can be to find UXO Technicians for your projects. The very busy field season coupled with the on-going UXO related work to support the war on terror make it harder than ever to find qualified UXO professionals to staff your projects. UXOInfo.com's UXO Resume Referral Service can help.

Through the UXO Resume Referral Service, UXOInfo.com locates qualified UXO professionals based upon the specific needs of your project. Whether your project requires part-time temporary UXO professionals or full-time permanent placements, the UXO Resume Referral Service can help. UXOInfo.com searchers the hundreds of resumes in our database and finds qualified candidates that fit the needs and requirements of your project. We then contact the candidates directly and confirm their interest and availability. All qualified, available, and interested candidates are then forwarded to you for consideration. Canidate referal rates vary by position and the number of personnel needed. For more information on the UXO Resume Referral Service, contact the UXOInfo.com Marketing Coordinator, Jenna Coven at jenna@uxoinfo.com.

EOD Explosively Dismantles C130

Baghdad, Iraq Airmen used explosives to dismantle a C-130 Hercules stuck in a barren field northeast of Baghdad International Airport. The transport aircraft has been there since June 27, when its crew was forced to perform an emergency landing. The aircraft was deemed a security concern and it was decided that it would be easier to transport if it were dismantled.

Senior Master Sgt. Pervis King, the 447th Air Expeditionary Group explosive ordnance disposal superintendent at Sather Air Base, Iraq, said his team was fired up to perform such a unique mission. "My team was kind of excited about going out there and explosively cutting up the aircraft," he said. "They were ready to make it happen."

Article source: Air Force Link News from 11 July 2008.

Boy Finds UXO and Decides to Keep It as a Toy

Kassel, Germany a 10-year old boy playing on a field near his house found a shinny metallic object approximately 10 inches long and 3 inches in diameter. The boy reportedly tossed and threw around the item as a play toy before deciding to bring it home for safe keeping. When the boy arrived home he showed the item to his father who immediately called the police.

The police responded with technical support provided by a bomb disposal team. The item was identified as a WWII era German shell (type not reported) which contained approximately 300 grams of explosives. Authorities suspect that the item may have come from a WWII era munitions factory that was once located near the property. The factory was heavily bombed by the Allies during the war.

The shell did not contain a detonator but was still considered dangerous. The bomb disposal team safely transported the item to safe location where it will be stored until it is safely disposed of.