Military warns of unexploded ammunition

  • Monday, June 9, 2014 10:05pm
  • News

ANCHORAGE (AP) — Military officials in Alaska are warning the public that if they see a weathered metal object outdoors, they should not pick it up, but instead should call authorities. Such objects could be live explosives.

“If you don’t know what it is and it gives you any concern or suspicion, take a picture of it, leave it and call police,” said 1st Sgt. Marshall Pratt with the 716th explosive ordnance disposal company at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson. “If you don’t have a camera, don’t go get one and go back.”

The ordnance-disposal company has responded to at least 18 calls since October, the Anchorage Daily News reported.

It’s hard to differentiate explosives from ordinary litter, Pratt said.

Military officials have found heavy World War II artillery used as doorstops, displayed on mantles or stored in attics.

Last year someone called authorities after having second thoughts about an estate-sale purchase. The items were two rusted mortar rounds, said 1st Lt. Steve Latulipe with the ordnance company.

Military professionals destroyed the rounds.

Also last year, a couple walking along Point MacKenzie beach came upon a foot-long artillery round.

Pratt and other soldiers responded, stopped air traffic for 15 minutes, and blew up the artillery piece. The explosion sent a smoke plume more than 70 feet into the air.

“To the untrained eye, it would look just like a rusty piece of pipe,” Pratt said.

More in News

Students sing “My Country, ‘Tis of Thee” at Mountain View Elementary in Kenai, Alaska, during a celebration of Veterans Day on Monday, Nov. 11, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Mountain View Elementary recognizes Veterans Day

During a celebration of Veterans Day at Mountain View Elementary School on… Continue reading

The Kenai Municipal Airport is seen on Friday, Oct. 6, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai misses out on grant for proposed Seattle air service

City officials look to reapply next year

The Kenai Peninsula College main entrance on Aug. 18, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Chiappone and Dunstan to speak at the KPC Showcase

Kenai Peninsula College continues its showcase with two new speakers this week and next

U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola, D-Alaska, talks about issues of concern regarding the proposed merger of supermarket chains Kroger and Albertsons during a floor speech in the House chamber on Wednesday. (Screenshot from official U.S. House of Representatives video feed)
Begich leads in early results, but Alaska’s U.S. House race won’t be immediately decided

About 245,000 ballots had been counted by 11:32 p.m., and Peltola trailed by about 5 percentage points

The Alaska governor’s mansion on Wednesday. Gov. Mike Dunleavy is considered a contender for a post in Donald Trump’s second presidential administration. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Election summary: Trump wins, GOP takes over U.S. Senate, Alaska may get new governor

Begich and repeal of ranked choice voting narrowly lead; GOP may lose control of state House.

Nesbett Courthouse in downtown Anchorage on Oct. 7, 2024. (Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)
Voters line up at the polling site at Anchorage City Hall on Nov. 4, 2024. City Hall was one of the designated early voting sites in Alaska’s largest city. It is not a designated site for Election Day voting. (Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)
Alaska Republicans lose two seats in state House, increasing odds of leadership switch

Rural Alaska precincts had reported few results by 11:30 p.m. Tuesday night.

Donald Trump won or was leading as of Wednesday morning in all seven swing states in the 2024 presidential election. (Doug Mills / The New York Times)
Donald Trump returns to power, ushering in new era of uncertainty

He played on fears of immigrants and economic worries to defeat Vice President Kamala Harris.

Most Read