The Department of Defense in support of its mission to deter adversaries and defend our nation must develop, test, and field weapon systems. As such, military lands historically associated with weapon system testing and training may contain unexploded ordnance (UXO), discarded military munitions, and munitions constituents. To address military munitions and chemical residue response actions from past practices at other than operational range locations, the Military Munitions Response Program (MMRP) was developed. The Air Force's vision for the MMRP is to 'make munitions response sites safe for reasonably anticipated future use.' In support of this vision, the AFCEE Technical Division assists the MMRP Program Manager, Air Force Restoration Program Office (R-PMO) in program development, management, and execution; identifies risks and develops response actions; disseminates information for stakeholder involvement; and offers contract management services.
MMRP Inventory
The Department of Defense, to ascertain the magnitude of this issue, developed a comprehensive inventory of sites known or suspected to contain unexploded ordnance (UXO), discarded military munitions, or munitions constituents. The initial inventory was completed in September 2001, with updates occurring annually.
Site Prioritizing/Sequencing
As the MMRP Inventory is further developed, sites need to be consistently prioritized for assessment of potential hazards and implementation of measures to address identified human health and ecological impacts. In October 2005, the Department of Defense published the finalized Munitions Response Site Prioritization Protocol (MRSPP) for assigning a relative priority for munitions response actions at munitions response sites. AFCEE/TD participates in the Air Force Quality Assurance panel established to ensure the MRSPP is consistently applied through the Air Force. The MMRP Program Manager, in coordination with stakeholders, utilizes MRSPP data to further sequence site assessments and investigations.
UXO/MC Characterization
AFCEE/TD is involved with various workgroups addressing unexploded ordnance (UXO) characterization issues such as detection, transport, dispersion, and fate of munitions-related constituents. Munitions constituents (MC) may be any materials originating from military munitions, including explosive and non-explosive materials as well as associated degradation products. Information is presently limited on the nature and extent of potential environmental contamination and toxicological risks associated with ordnance and munitions constituents.
