Officials in Arapahoe County, Colorado were summoned to investigate a historical artifact discovered by a group of construction workers on-site. Aurora Police called upon the Arapahoe Sheriff’s Department Bomb Squad to assess a metal object that had been unearthed. The Arapahoe Sheriff’s office shared the finding and a photograph on their website. The area under examination was the former Lowry Bombing and Gunnery Range, located in the 4600 block of S. Robertsdale Way. This region, spanning 100 square miles, was established in 1938 and served as a military armament and bombing training ground during World War II, involving the use of practice and high-explosive bombs according to the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment (CDPHE).
The former Lowry Bombing and Gunnery Range was operational from 1942 to 1963, hosting various training exercises with inert and live munitions at numerous bombing and gunnery targets, as stated by the Omaha District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Following their arrival on the scene, bomb technicians employed an X-ray device to identify the object, ultimately determining it to be an inert cast-iron miniature bomb. Specifically, it was identified as a World War II Mark 23 Mod 1 training round, as indicated by the Arapahoe Sheriff’s office.
The former Lowry Bombing and Gunnery Range features four former Titan I missile complexes that were active from 1962 to 1965. Cast-iron miniature bombs were commonly utilized as practice ordnance for land-based training purposes, according to information provided by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Authorities transferred the device to the Buckley Space Force Base in Aurora for further inspection and safekeeping.
The CDPHE shared important munition safety tips, urging caution and vigilance when encountering such artifacts. They emphasized the potential hazards posed by training and practice munitions, underscoring that items labeled as ‘training’ or ‘practice’ should not be automatically assumed to be safe for handling. Military munitions, regardless of age, are designed to cause destruction and harm and should be treated with caution. The CDPHE advised leaving the handling of munitions to trained experts who can evaluate and secure the area safely.
Fox News Digital sought additional commentary from the Arapahoe Sheriff’s office regarding the incident. As the investigation continues, the discovery of the World War II era ordinance serves as a poignant reminder of the historical significance and enduring legacy of military training grounds like the former Lowry Bombing and Gunnery Range.
