While this is embarrassing, I'm certain people in 91SMW are saying "At least we didn't fly six ACMs with warheads to Barksdale!"

https://www.twincities.com/201...-it-wants-them-back/

Air Force loses box of grenade rounds in North Dakota. It wants them back.

By FORUM NEWS SERVICE |
PUBLISHED: May 12, 2018 at 12:14 pm | UPDATED: May 12, 2018 at 3:33 pm

MINOT, N.D. — The U.S. Air Force lost a box of grenade rounds in northwest North Dakota that fell off a Humvee earlier this month, and now is seeking the public’s help in locating the explosives.

A 91st Missile Wing Security Forces team from the Minot Air Force Base lost the ammunition container on May 1 while traveling between missile sites in Mountrail County, according to a news release the Air Force issued late Friday.

The team was traveling on rough gravel roads about four miles west of Parshall when the back hatch of the vehicle opened, and an ammunition container fell out, the Air Force said.

The ammunition is considered safe as long as the container is intact, said Lt. Col. Jamie Humphries, a spokesman for the Minot Air Force Base. However, damage to the container or its contents could lead to an explosion or injury, he said.

If the ammunition is located and is damaged, the area should be evacuated and people should call 911 or the Minot Munitions Reporting Hotline at 701-723-7909.

The missing ammunition is a belt of grenade rounds, contained in a green metal ammo container, that is meant for use with an MK19 machine gun grenade launcher, the Mountrail County Sheriff’s Office said Friday afternoon. The ammunition will not operate in any other launching device.

The green metal container weighs 42 pounds with dimensions of 18½ inches by 6 inches by 10 inches, Humphries said.

The explosives were lost on 76th Avenue Northwest, somewhere between 33rd Street Northwest and Highway 23, the sheriff’s office said. The missing explosives were reported to the sheriff’s office about 4:15 p.m. on May 4, Sheriff Ken Halvorson said in a news release.

More than 100 airmen walked the entire six-mile route several times on Friday to search for the explosives but were unsuccessful, Halvorson said.

The Air Force Office of Special Investigations is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the recovery of the munitions. The Air Force issued its first public statement on the lost ammunition about 7:30 p.m. Friday, 10 days after the explosives went missing and hours after Halvorson first issued a press release.

Halvorson said in a statement that his news release was prompted by “the lack of information being released by the Air Force on this loss and his concern for the safety of the citizens in the area.”

Since the explosives were lost, Air Force officials have searched the area extensively and contacted local landowners and an oil company with wells in that area to keep an eye out for the missing property, Halvorson said.

On Tuesday, agents from the Air Force Office of Special Investigations met with the sheriff about their investigation and asked for assistance. The sheriff’s office contacted farmers and oil vendors who work in the area asking for information.

Halvorson said the explosives are very dangerous, and anyone with information about where they are should call the sheriff’s department at 701-628-2975.

The Minot Air Force Base’s 91st Missile Wing oversees 150 Minuteman III missiles and launch facilities in central and western North Dakota.

The Air Force does not consider this a criminal matter at this time and is seeking the public’s help to ensure the safe return of the ammunition, Humphries said.

Anonymous tips can be submitted to the Air Force here.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Sigmund,

So a box of grenades was so poorly secured to the vehicle that it simply fell off during vehicle movement.

And, I am forced to wonder how a SF team manages to screw up this badly.

Been a lot of years since I was in the army, but I can say with certainty that this would not have happened back then.

More than 100 airmen walked the route several times and were unable to find an 18 1/2 x 6 x 10 inch green box. Either they are confused about where they lost it, or Bubba found it and is still trying to figure out a “cool” way to use his new fireworks. Let’s hope it is the former (and they are found), or if the latter Bubba comes to his senses and collects the reward.

quote:

Originally posted by Elk Hunter:
So a box of grenades was so poorly secured to the vehicle that it simply fell off during vehicle movement.

And, I am forced to wonder how a SF team manages to screw up this badly.

Been a lot of years since I was in the army, but I can say with certainty that this would not have happened back then.

My thoughts exactly; how in the hell are munitions of this kind not secured? It's not a six pack of beer tossed on the pile in the bed of a pick up truck on a fishing trip.

boating accident

Para you made my day.

Did they look on Craigslist?

Hmmm. North Dakota. Not a bastion of Liberalism. I don't think they are offering nearly enough reward for turning over that box of grenades....

flashguy

Oops.

quote:

Originally posted by cas:
Did they look on Craigslist?

Armslist...or maybe eBay for better exposure, just advertise them as "inert."

Anyone have access to a Mk19 grenade launcher?

I’m sure for some 3%er, Christmas came early. These were probably Mk19’s and not M-67 Frag grenades right? Somebody has had article 31 read to them for sure as their ass is in the wringer for certain...

quote:

The team was traveling on rough gravel roads about four miles west of Parshall when the back hatch of the vehicle opened, and an ammunition container fell out, the Air Force said

These things open like the hood of a car. It's hard to not notice the hatch moving around. Rough road? How fast were they going?
Give them a tent, some rations and have them out searching and asking everyone that comes by "Gee have you seen any grenades?"

40mm grenades, not 30mm.


And using SF is misleading in this case, security forces are the airfore MP’s and cause drama dropping the “SF” verbiage to sound cool.


That box would round out the ammo fort nicely.

quote:

Originally posted by Elk Hunter:
So a box of grenades was so poorly secured to the vehicle that it simply fell off during vehicle movement.

And, I am forced to wonder how a SF team manages to screw up this badly.

Been a lot of years since I was in the army, but I can say with certainty that this would not have happened back then.

They are not Special Forces, they are air force MP’s.

quote:

...The Air Force issued its first public statement on the lost ammunition about 7:30 p.m. Friday, 10 days after the explosives went missing and hours after Halvorson first issued a press release...

...The Air Force does not consider this a criminal matter at this time and is seeking the public’s help to ensure the safe return of the ammunition, Humphries said...

10 days later?? Seriously?? Further, they were lost on the first and local law enforcement is notified 3 days later??

While it's entirely possible that it's still lost or being hidden by a hooligan I wonder if they have search warrants for the security team et al.

They are not grenades, it's an ammo box for a MK19. Yes, it's a 40mm automatic grenade launcher, but they are not a grenade in the common sense. Just a big ass round.

Only way to make them work is a belt fed MK19.

This has the possibility of a very large quantity for the gene pool.

Really, it just fell off a truck.....

quote:

Originally posted by Zacsquatch:
40mm grenades, not 30mm.


And using SF is misleading in this case, security forces are the airfore MP’s and cause drama dropping the “SF” verbiage to sound cool.


That box would round out the ammo fort nicely.

Subject line has been revised, I used to load munitions on the A-10 and had 30mm on my mind. And I should not have assumed everyone knows what "SF" means for the Air Force.