Munitions Safety at El Malpais National Monument

Munitions Safety at El Malpais National Monument. El Malpais National Monument. , As a protected volcanic region, the land in El Malpais National Monument provides many geological curiosities to be explored and viewed. However, remnants of World War II military training activities may still be hidden within the national monument. , In 1943, the U.S. Army Air Force obtained land, which is now part of the EL Malpais National Monument, for use as a bombing range. Kirtland Army Air Field bombardiers dropped live and practice bombs on the range as part of their training program. , Use of the range stopped in May 1944, because the terrain was determined to be too rugged to construct and maintain targets. , The United States military has conducted numerous removal actions, but the lava flows make it difficult to ensure that all the munitions have been removed. Protect yourself, others, and the national monument by following the National Park Service rules and guidelines, remembering the 3Rs of Explosives Safety if you see something that looks like a historic munition item. , Captions , Practice bombs are loaded onto an AT-11 bomber at Kirkland Army Air Field. U.S. Air Force crews used land now part of El Malpais National Monument for bombing training. (source Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center)., Unexploded bomb removed from El Malpais., Scrap nose and tail fuzes removed from El Malpais., Follow the 3Rs of Explosives Safety: , Recognize: when you have come across a munition, and that munitions are dangerous. , Retreat: Do not approach, touch, move, or disturb it. Carefully leave the area. , Report: What you saw and where you saw it by calling 911. , , Additional resources: El Malpais National Monument visit www.nps.gov/elma/index.htm , U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Formerly used Defense Sites Program visit www.fuds.mil , 3Rs of Explosives Safety visit https://3Rs.mil