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 DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
VICE CHIEF OF STAFF, US ARMY
GENERAL JOHN M. KEANE
Message From General John M. Keane
R 071647Z Jul 00
Subject: Protection of the Public from Unexploded Ordnance (UXO)

It has long been DOD and Army policy to use live munitions and manage live-fire
training ranges in a manner that supports national security objectives and maintains a
high state of operational readiness, while at the same time protecting human health and
safety to the maximum extent practicable.

I ask commanders and supervisors who have responsibility for management of

installations with ranges to review carefully the Army’s public access and education
requirements to ensure that local implementing procedures and controls both comply
with these requirements and are sufficiently protective of the public. In this regard, it is
imperative that special emphasis be placed on standards and procedures.
 CAMP SHELBY’S, MS UXO
INCIDENT
A TRAGIC REMINDER

On 25 May 2000, two teenage boys were seriously injured when

an unexploded (UXO) round removed from a Camp Shelby,
Mississippi training range detonated in the driveway of a
Wiggins, MS, home. One boy, who had lost both arms and part of
a foot, died on Saturday the 27th. The other boy incurred severe
shrapnel injuries.
 CAMP SHELBY’S, MS UXO INCIDENT
A TRAGIC REMINDER

At Camp Shelby, MS the boys said they found the anti-tank (AT)
rounds about two months ago when their car got stuck in the
mud. They used the rounds to wedge under the tires to free the
car. They later decided to take the rounds home as souvenirs. As
sad as this tragedy is, Wiggins Police Chief, Steve Compston
says it could have been worse. Reportedly, last week, about 20
young people were playing with the shells at a popular swimming
hole west of town. During a press conference, Camp Shelby, MS
officials said they’ve done everything possible to prevent a
tragedy.
 CAMP SHELBY’S, MS UXO INCIDENT
A TRAGIC REMINDER

“We posted warning, restricted area signs and have security

personnel patrolling the areas”.

As the Camp Shelby, MS tragedy unfolded, a Perry County

mother said “You’ve got areas where you’re allowed to go and
where you’re not allowed to go, but no where is there a sign
around telling you don’t pick up anything.”

DON’T PICK UP ANYTHING

 UXO P ROCEDURE S A ND
CO NT RO LS

Fort Rucker has posted range boundaries and off-limit areas with
permanent warning signs to prohibit trespass and entry by
unauthorized personnel into impact areas and surface danger
zones is mandatory. The signs clearly indicate that trespassing or
the removal of items is prohibited under penalties provided by
law, emphasize the danger connected with the range area and
handling of UXO, and be posted at 200 meter intervals or less.
 UXO P ROCEDURE S A ND
CO NT RO LS

Fort Rucker utilizes the Public Affairs Office to warn nearby

communities of the hazards of trespassing on ranges and handling
UXOs.

Fort Rucker has an outreach program to educate school children,

both on and off the installation, on range hazards.
 A DUD IS AN EXPLOSIVE
DEVICE THAT HAS BEEN FIRED
WHAT IS A BUT NOT EXPLODED. IT IS
DUD? LIKE A ROCKET THAT MAY
EXPLODE WHEN IT IS
TOUCHED OR DROPPED--
MAYBE NOT THE FIRST TIME,
BUT ALWAYS WITH DEADLY
FORCE.
 THE ARMY’S JOB IS TO
PROTECT YOU, BUT TO DO
THAT WE HAVE TO TRAIN
WHY ARE CONSTANTLY-- AND TRAINING
THERE OFTEN INVOLVES USING
DUDS? EXPLOSIVES SUCH AS
ARTILLERY SHELLS AND
GRENADES.
 THE ARMY FIRES ITS
EXPLOSIVES INTO IMPACT
AREAS. THESE IMPACT AREAS
WHERE ARE ARE VERY LARGE IN SIZE AND
DUDS ARE IN CONSTANT USE, EVEN ON
FOUND? WEEKENDS. THEY CAN BE
FOUND ON NEARLY EVERY
ARMY INSTALLATION,
INCLUDING FORT RUCKER,
ALABAMA.
 NOT EVERY SHELL OR GRENADE
THAT LANDS IN AN IMPACT
AREA WILL EXPLODE, BECAUSE
WHAT
NOT ALL AMMUNITION IS
CAUSES
PERFECTLY MANUFACTURED.
DUDS?
BUT THERE IS NO GUARANTEE
THAT THESE DUDS ARE
HARMLESS. ALMOST ANYTHING
CAN MAKE DUDS GO OFF;
TOUCHING OR PICKING THEM
UP;THROWING STICKS OR ROCKS
AT THEM; DISTURBING THE
GROUND AROUND THEM.
WHAT
ABOUT AN IMPACT AREA IS NOT THE
IMPACT IDEAL PLACE TO HANG OUT OR
AREAS? GO EXPLORING FOR SOUVENIRS.
SIGNS MARK THE BOUNDARIES
OF IMPACT AREAS, SO IF YOU’RE
IN THE WOODS AND SUDDENLY
FIND SUCH A SIGN, DON’T
IGNORE IT. LEAVE THE AREA
IMMEDIATELY, AND ABOVE ALL,
DON’T TOUCH ANY MAN-MADE
OBJECTS.
 NOT ALL DUDS ARE FOUND IN AN
IMPACT AREA; SOME LAND
CAUTION! OUTSIDE THE ZONE, AND OTHERS
HAVE EVEN BEEN TAKEN HOME
TO BE USED AS DOOR STOPS AND
DESK ORNAMENTS.
 AFTER IDENTIFYING POTENTIAL UNEXPLODED DUDS,
DO NOT MOVE ANY CLOSER TO IT. SOME TYPES OF
UNEXPLODED DUDS HAVE MAGNETIC OR MOTION-
SENSITIVE PROXIMITY FUZING THAT MAY DETONATE
WHEN THEY SENSE A TARGET. OTHERS MAY HAVE
SELF-DESTRUCT TIMERS BUILT IN. CHEMICAL
WHAT IF I GRENADES CAN CAUSE SERIOUS BURNS AND
INHALATION HAZARDS. ILLUMINATION FLARES CAN
FIND A DUD? CAUSE SERIOUS BURNS TO THE EYE. ILLUMINATION
FLARES CAN ALSO CAUSE BURNS UPON CONTACT
WITH HUMAN FLESH.

DO NOT MAKE ANY RADIO TRANSMISSIONS IN THE

VICINITY OF A SUSPECTED UNEXPLODED DUD
HAZARD. SIGNALS TRANSMITTED FROM ITEMS
SUCH AS WALKIE-TALKIES, SHORT-WAVE RADIOS,
CITIZENS’ BAND (CB) RADIOS, OR OTHER
COMMUNICATION AND NAVIGATION DEVICES MAY
DETONATE THE UNEXPLODED DUDS.

DO NOT ATTEMPT TO REMOVE ANY OBJECT ON,

ATTACHED TO, OR NEAR UNEXPLODED DUDS.

SUBMUNITIONS AND MINES ARE EXTREMELY

WHAT
SHOULD I
STOP-AVOID-PROTECT-REPORT
DO STEP #1
STOP
Mark the area where you are standing.
Mark the entrance into the area.
Mark an area around the unexploded
dud, IF POSSIBLE.
YOUR SAFETY IS FIRST
WHAT
SHOULD I
DO STEP #2 AVOID
Avoid any unnecessary movement.
Avoid using other trails or roads in the area.
Avoid radio or cellular phone transmissions
within 50 feet.
Avoid moving or disturbing the unexploded
dud.
WHAT
SHOULD I
DO STEP #3 USE PROTECTIVE MEASURES
Your safest distance from a
unexploded dud is 1,250 feet or two
football fields.

DO NOT TA KE A NY
UNNECES SA RY
RISK
WHAT
SHOULD I REPORT
DO STEP #4 Your name, address, telephone number.
Date and Time of discovery
Location (e.g.hunting or training area,
range name or number, etc.)
Condition of unexploded dud (e.g.buried,
partially buried, or fully exposed, etc)
Remember the dud shape, color or any
markings
WHAT
SHOULD I REPORT TO
DO STEP #4
Range Control 255-4744/4978
Outdoor Rec. 255-4305
Military Police 255-2222
Fire 911