Shell Found at Former U.S. Chemical Training Site

A mortar shell containing an unknown liquid has been found at a former U.S. Army base in Alabama that was used for chemical weapons training during World War II, the Associated Press reported yesterday (see GSN, March 10). 

Workers found the 4.2-inch shell while searching for old munitions on farmland that once was the home of Camp Sibert. A team from Maryland is expected to arrive within 10 days to determine the contents of the weapon, which has been moved to a holding area, said Pat Robbins, a spokesman for the Army Corps of Engineers.

“We have it in secured storage. It is no danger to anyone,” Robbins said.

About 5,000 troops at Camp Sibert were trained to use chemical agents including mustard gas and lewisite. About 45,000 people live near former base site (Associated Press/The Birmingham News, June 22).

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