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| Vol. 115, No. 19 |
May 7, 2008
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Mortar shells unearthed during Fort Knox BRAC construction project
Construction workers under contract to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers unearthed mortar shells Friday while at Fort Knox as part of a BRAC construction project. The construction contractor excavating land for the future structure of the Human Resource Center of Excellence uncovered the munitions and notified Fort Knox authorities. Fort Campbell Explosive Ordinace Detachment responded and secured the ordnance pending chemical specialists’ assessment.
Because some of the items were thought to contain liquid, a response team from the 20th Support Command (CBRNE) deployed to conduct a full assessment.
The team will X-ray the loose mortar shells and segregate those containing liquid. Further assessment will determine what liquid, if any, is inside these items and a plan will be developed to ensure safe transport and destruction of these items.
A safe zone will be established around the items to ensure the safety of the community during these operations.
The specially trained response team will use non-intrusive equipment provided by the Chemical Material Agency’s Product Manager for Non-stockpile Chemical Material to identify the contents of the mortars.
Accurately identifying the contents and condition of a recovered item assists in safe handling and planning for disposal.
State officials have been notified of the find.
This is the first time mortars of this type have been uncovered on Fort Knox. The installation is committed to safe and environmentally sound elimination of these hazards.
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