37 TFW (p) EXPLOSIVE ORDNANCE DISPOSAL (EOD) REPORT WITH

File: 970729_aadeo_09.txt
Page: 09
Total Pages: 14
   
    nothing wrong in welding them and transporting them here claiming to use them
    for other purposes and that they were no longer strong enough to support the
    height of SCUDS. We told them this was a violation of the UN resolution and
    they must be destroyed and not repaired. We reinspect tomorrow. Also visible
    were about ten BM-21MRL 122mm.
    
    	We drove back to the munitions storage area. Four storage structures
    had received direct bomb hits and ordnance was scattered in all directions.
    Most had been removed from the roadways, but no effort had been made to clean
    up those off the road. We began on foot down the road way with EOD up front
    headed to the first of the destroyed igloos as it was safer to clear a path
    through this one to get to the others. The remainder of the inspection team
    stayed about 50 yards behind us. We actually went up into the front of the
    structure and around the side adjacent to the road. Aircraft artillery, flare
    , small arms, and projos comprised most of the scattered ordnance. No US UXO.
    were visible. We cleared small items and brought the team forward to the first
    two structures which had lightning protection systems and ventilators. A
    diagram of a typical structure is attached. The first two structures containe
    similar quantities of projectiles, 122mm Rockets, small arms, fuzes, M-48
    bangalore torpedos, HOT ATMs, RPG-7s. It was noted that some projos were
    fused, some were not. But safety pins littered the road every where we walked
    After EOD exited each igloo, the remainder of the team would enter, and unless
    one of us was grabbed to answer a technical question, which was frequent, we
    would proceed down to the next location as directed by the team chief. The
    remainder of the team exited and after proceeding about 50 yards down the
    road, a loud banging noise came from the last building we were in. Having
    spent many years working in bomb dumps, I immediately recognized the frantic,
    et embarrassed sound of an individual locked inside a munitions storage
    structure. The team chief laughing asked who it was and I noticed one EOD team
    missing. Suffice it to say that the EOD team consisting of one American
    Captain and a Staff Sergeant stationed in Hawaii was intact. However, the RAF
    Flt Lt seemed to be missing his American Staff Sergeant counterpart stationer
    at Vandenburg. But his identity will remain a secret with the team members.
    Team now intact, we proceeded to one last structure consisting mainly of
    projectiles, both fuzed and not. Also visible were five bomb craters (probable
    MK-84) in an empty field and several other entry holes. We were not permitted
    by the Iraqis to enter the field.
    
    	We boarded the bus to examine three large structures adjacent to the
    bomb dump. There were three, with very large sliding doors, lightning
    protection, and air conditioning systems. Once we got closer, the roofs were
    blown off all three and air conditioning ducts and insulating material were
    blown all about the interior and exterior of the facilities. The first
    structure had44 FROG (Luna M, according to our Soviet inspector) missiles. The
    second building had 72 missiles and 20 more were located between the two
    structures under nets. The third building was empty but a SCUD missile support
    stand was found and ordered destroyed. The total number of FROGs identified )
    the team was 153. Although they do not meet the 150KM criteria, they are being
    monitored when seen since it is believed they could be working a modification
    to extend their range. At about 1400 we concluded our inspection and departed
    for Baghdad. Area map is located at Atch 2.
    
    	Still no go on the choppers, we can expect an early extraction and at
    will slot inspect the western zone.
    
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