Live Military Round Recovered in Woodburn

Photo Courtesy: Oregon Military Department

(Woodburn) - Explosive technicians from Oregon State Police and the Oregon National Guard safely removed a live artillery projectile from the backyard of a Woodburn residence Thursday. The projectile was determined to be live by the homeowner's nephew who just completed explosive ordinance disposal training in preparation for deployment to Iraq. Woodburn Police were called to 710 Kelowna Street over the possible explosive device. After confirming that it was a possible explosive device, Oregon State Police Bomb Squad technicians responded to assist. The bomb techs confirmed that the military artillery round was full of TNT, but fortunately did not contain a fuse. It weighed 150 - 200 pounds, and was 3 feet long and 8 inches in diameter. The homeowner told bomb techs he was visiting with his nephew who was preparing to be deployed for a military assignment in Iraq following completion of explosive ordinance disposal training. While talking, they remembered an old artillery round bought over 20 years ago that was now in the backyard. When they both went to look at it, his nephew put his training to good use and noticed it was a live round. OSP bomb techs called the Oregon Guard's 142nd Fighter Wing Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) unit at the Portland Airbase for assistance. The Oregon Guard EOD responded and safely removed the projectile, transporting it back to the airbase, where they will render it inert before proper disposal. According to Sgt. Brian Wade of the Oregon Air Guard's EOD unit, the public is encouraged to contact either the Oregon State Police or the Oregon National Guard EOD office. "Most people don't even know what they have." Wade said. "It's a question of education and safety, and both agency's trained personnel are more than happy to come out and take a look at what you've got." For more information or interviews with Oregon National Guard EOD team members involved in this action, contact Tech. Sgt. Nick Choy, State Headquarters Public Affairs, at 503-584-3887. For more information about the Oregon State Police Bomb Squad and their response in this incident, contact Sergeant Steve Sigurdson at (503) 932-2171.