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***image1***A U.S. World War II bomb was discovered by German construction workers behind the credit union on Pulaski Barracks Sept. 22.
According to Tech. Sgt. Robert Gonzalez from the 855th Civil Engineering Squadron, the German contracting company Bilfinger Berger started a project to replace an old AFN tower, when a worker driving a backhoe ran across a large metal object in the ground.
Construction was immediately stopped and Air Force Explosive Ordinance Disposal and military police were notified around 4:30 p.m.
One of the first people on the scene was Capt. Jean-Paul Guerard, Provost Marshal on Pulaski Barracks.
“I just happened to be nearby,” said Captain Guerard.
Once EOD arrived around 5 p.m., security was ordered to quarantine the area 500 meters around the explosive. Nearly two-thirds of Pulaski Barracks was evacuated, said Captain Guerard.
EOD initially thought the bomb to be fused and dangerous so a four hour “Rendered Safe Procedure” was carried out, said Tech. Sgt. Patrick Glass, EOD member who helped diffuse the bomb.
After tests and x-rays were ran on the explosive it was discovered the bomb was filled with live TNT explosives. The bomb was 3 and a half feet long, one foot in diameter, and around 250 pounds, said Sergeant Glass.
Once the bomb was rendered safe it was handed over to German EOD and they plan to dispose of the bomb properly, said Bernd Heuer from the German EOD.
“This served as a good training purpose for future encounters and this was a good example of how the Air Force and Army work together,” said Captain Guerard. “It was a good joint venture for us.”
