Is it SOP for the military to scrounge up every last piece of missing ammo?

[Berek]

One of the biggest concerns I would have: Children.

Being the most inquisitive things on the planet, kids will find a way to detonate the round, open and pour the powder then light the powder, hammer the primer, etc.

There have been reports of children scrounging rounds, separating the components and selling the brass. In some cases, someone forgot to remove the powder or wasn't paying attention and a round went off injuring, maiming or killing someone. I admit, our children are not interested in salvaging brass, but their curiosity puts them into the same situation.

{ramble ramble....}

I, for one, applaud their efforts to recover lost rounds.

Berek

 

[MikeIsaj]

Marines are maniacal about ammo accountability. I am certain they are looking for ammo as well as any other parts of the aircraft.

Its just hear-say (third party) but a guy I know says one can go out to the choclate mtns. in CA. near the Az. border, at the aerial gunnery range, and pick up 20mm rounds off the ground, both live rounds and brass,dummy bombs,etc.

Two thoughts;
1. If you do you are tresspassing on restricted federal property. If you are caught, you will be dealt with severely. The Marines take restricted space incursions seriously because of #2.
2. Early eighties I was in Twentynine Palms when an "accident" occured on the Chocolate Mtn. Gunnery Range. Live bombing run fragged a group camping on the range.

 

[Blue Jays]

Hi Berek-

Don't worry about all the ammunition being secured. It's For The ChildrenTM

~ Blue Jays ~

 

[BlackCat]

Another thread, another dream lost.

I have wanted to fly a Harrier for as long as I've known they exist, coolest jets in the military in my opinion.

Now this thread gives me the feel baddies.

 

[Hank Zudd]

yes the military is anal about unaccounted for ammo

there was this rocket sciencetist in our 4 duce mortar platoon (in late 70's) at ft. hood that had several round left over from a range shoot. turning in out of the crate unfired ammo is worse that a jp-4 enema, so they threw several unfused HE rounds into a creek they crossed returning to the motor pool area. (about a 5 hour road march on the tank trails) The whole platoon (+30 guys) spent 3 WEEKS walking up & down this creek looking for the stuff. only found 2 rounds out of 4. this was on a military training reservation, basicly opened to the public. Yea, there was tons of unexploded ordanance all over this post, but knowing that it was done on purpose was what caused the hell to break loose. I'm sure anyone who's been in the biz for any length of time has similar stories.