U.S. Army to Destroy Weapons Found in Hawaii

Six munitions containing the chemical agent chloropircin found at a U.S. Army range in Hawaii were expected to be destroyed yesterday, the Honolulu Advertiser reported (see GSN, Feb. 3).

Of the 14 munitions found at Schofield Barracks, only six contain the World War I-era agent. 

Due to their instability, the weapons were to be destroyed where they were found.

Testing is under way of another 138 unexploded munitions discovered at Schofield in recent months. According to reports, witnesses said the weapons also contain mustard gas and phosgene.

Schofield spokesman Kendrick Washington said only chloropircin had been confirmed in the World War I- and II-era weapons.

“We're looking into the history of the munitions. I can't even speculate why they're here. Obviously, back then the world was a different place,” he said last week.

Included in the 138 weapons found are 4-inch Stokes Mortars, a Livens Projector, a 105 mm projectile, 75 mm projectiles, 81 mm mortars, 155 mm projectiles and 4.2-inch mortars, according to the Advertiser (William Cole, Honolulu Advertiser, Feb. 8).

Back to top
About Newswire  |  Contact National Journal  |  Re-Use Guidelines © Copyright 2008 by National Journal Group, Inc. The material in this section is produced independently for NTI by National Journal Group, Inc. Any reproduction or retransmission, in whole or in part, is a violation of federal law and is strictly prohibited without the consent of the National Journal Group, Inc. All rights reserved.