[CPEO-MEF] MUNITIONS: "The dangers of Browns Island," NC

[Lenny Siegel <LSiegel@cpeo.org>]

The dangers of Browns Island

by Lance Cpl. Makayla Mack 
Marine Corps Installations East
July 2, 2021

In between Onslow Beach and Hammocks Beach State Park lies Browns Island, one of three major Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune impact areas that have existed since the base’s establishment.

“Dating as far back as the 1940s a large amount of unexploded ordnances (UXOs) has accumulated on Browns Island and the surrounding waters; these can still function and cause harm years later,” said Nicholas B. Klaus, range control officer on MCB Camp Lejeune. “Many of the dud munitions are buried in the sand or under water and any disturbance could cause them to explode. Browns Island has been a target area for many years and has numerous surface danger zones and weapon danger zones that cross it and the surrounding waters.” 

Throughout the years, many UXOs have been discovered and properly disposed of. The most recent UXO was a 250 lb. WWII-era AN-M57 A1 variant, found last month..

“This piece of ordnance was under water during high tide and was not visible from above the surface,” said GySgt. Christopher Guillory, explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) operations chief. “Any movement or jarring of the UXO, especially by boat or watercraft, could be enough to function and create a detonation.”

…

For the entire release, see
https://www.dvidshub.net/news/400312/dangers-browns-island

—

Lenny Siegel
Executive Director
Center for Public Environmental Oversight
A project of the Pacific Studies Center
LSiegel@cpeo.org
P.O. Box 998, Mountain View, CA 94042
Voice/Fax: 650-961-8918
http://www.cpeo.org
Author: DISTURBING THE WAR: The Inside Story of the Movement to Get Stanford University out of Southeast Asia - 1965–1975 (See http://a3mreunion.org)

_______________________________________________
Military mailing list
Military@lists.cpeo.org
http://lists.cpeo.org/listinfo.cgi/military-cpeo.org