Schofield cleanup finds chemical arms
Discarded chemical munitions, many of them from the World War I and II eras, continue to be unearthed at Schofield Barracks as the Wahiawa military installation undergoes a billion-dollar renovation.
In the last 10 months, Army contractors have found at least 152 unexploded ordnance, some of which contained chemical agents.
The Army, in a written release yesterday, said 137 munitions were discovered several months ago while contractors were clearing a firing range. After Army experts determined that they were safe to be moved, the munitions were taken to an undisclosed secured storage at Schofield Barracks.
However, an additional 13 mortars and one projectile containing what was determined to have unstable fuses were found in late December at a firing range also under renovation. The Army will not say whether the same training range was involved, citing security reasons.
Since the ordnance cannot be moved, Army spokesman Kendrick Washington said Army chemical ordnance experts plan to explode the 14 items where they were discovered. He did not know when the disposal would occur.
Washington said X-rays discovered that the 14 items were filled with chemical liquids and "explosively configured."
Washington said the Army chemical weapons experts believe six of the 14 munitions contain the chemical agent chloropicrin, a tearing agent.
The other eight munitions had no chemical agents, Washington said.
The task of identifying the agents was done by experts from the 22nd Chemical Battalion's Technical Escort Unit. They used a portable isotopic neutron spectroscopy system, known as PINS, the Army said in the news release. The system uses gamma rays to identify a specific chemical signature without opening the item and ensuring the safety of all personnel, the Army said.
Using the same system Army officials determined the 137 munitions were stable enough to be moved and stored.
Washington said the Army still has not determined if there are any chemical agents in the munitions or how they will be disposed. The 137 munitions include 24 4.2-inch mortars, 32 155-mm projectiles, 18 81-mm mortars, 35 75-mm projectiles, 26 4-inch mortars, one Livens Projector (a World War I pipe bomb) and one 105 mm projectile. Also still in storage is a 155 mm projectile that was discovered in April.
This is not the first time Army contractors have come across chemical weapons while clearing Schofield Barracks training ranges as the Army renovates to prepare for the new Stryker combat brigade.
Details of weapons and chemicals found
Among the old weaponry discovered at Schofield Barracks and Wheeler Airfield:
» Thirteen mortars and one projectile containing unstable fuses found in December. Six of the munitions contain the chemical agent chloropicrin.
» Found over recent months at Schofield: 24 4.2-inch mortars, 32 155-mm projectiles, 18 81-mm mortars, 35 75-mm projectiles, 26 4-inch mortars, one Livens Projector (a World War I pipe bomb) and one 105 mm projectile. A 155 mm projectile was discovered in April.
» This week, the Army closed three hangars at Wheeler Airfield after traces of heavy metals cadmium and chromium were found.
In August, while preparing the expansion of additional training space and the construction of a pistol and rifle range for the Stryker brigade, 15 tail assemblies from spotting rounds made of D-38 uranium alloy, also called depleted uranium, were recovered. The Army said the discovery was made by Zapata Engineering, a contractor hired by the military to clear a training range of unexploded ordnance and scrap metal.
Army officials maintain that the recovered depleted uranium has low-level radioactivity and does not pose a threat to the public. They were believed to be remnants from training rounds used in a now-obsolete weapon system used by the military in 1960s.
Several environmentalists, anti-war activists and native Hawaiian groups were outraged last month over the use of the uranium, which they say poses a public health hazard even in small amounts. They also accused the Army of misleading the public.
In response, Col. Howard Killian, commander of U.S. Army Garrison Hawaii, said, "The Army has never intentionally misled the public concerning the presence of DU on Army installations in Hawaii. This is an isolated incident and should not be considered as an attempt to misinform the public."
This week, the Army also announced that it closed three of its 11 hangars at Wheeler Army Airfield on Wednesday after traces of cadmium and chromium were found during a routine environmental inspection. Army officials said the people entering the hangars are safe as long as they wear protective clothing and gear.
Army spokeswoman Stefanie Gardin said an investigation is under way to determine what caused the problem. The hangars will remain closed pending a cleanup.
The Army said cadmium and chromium are naturally occurring elements found in rocks, soil, volcanic dust, plants and animals, as well as in paints, bolts and other materials used in aircraft maintenance.
Gardin said three hangars are where the Army maintains its fleet of CH-47 Chinook, OH-58 Kiowa and UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters. When working on the aircraft performing sanding and grinding operations, individuals are required to wear goggles, earplugs, a respirator/mask and coveralls.
Killian said: "The Army is dealing with an area that has a century-long history of training and munitions use. As such, we anticipate this will not be the last time we deal with this issue, and when issues do arise that impact the public's health and safety, we will exercise a policy of maximum disclosure, minimum delay."