Photo By Senior Airman Donnell Schroeter | An unexploded World War II-era ordnance item rests in place prior to disposal...... read more read more
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KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N. M. — Explosive Ordnance Disposal technicians from the 377th Air Base Wing, working closely with New Mexico State Police EOD and state environmental officials successfully cleared World War II-era unexploded ordnance embedded in Badger Butte on Pueblo of Acoma lands May 20, 2026, concluding a year-long collaborative effort to remove legacy hazards.
During World War II, the military used large corridors of the New Mexico desert for training, leaving behind munitions and legacy equipment. Today, the 377th EOD flight works closely with nearby Pueblos to safely locate, render safe, and extract these historical hazards.
This clearance operation also highlighted Kirtland’s commitment to environmental stewardship. To complete the mission, the 377 EOD team successfully navigated a unique environmental challenge: removing the unexploded ordnance without disturbing a nearby protected eagle nest. Through careful planning with environmental experts and tribal leaders, the team completed the removal without incident.
"Everything went smoothly, and most importantly, it was a safe operation." said Master Sgt. Scott Underdahl, 377 EOD section lead.
Underdahl noted the operation offered realistic training in a complex and rugged environment.
"It was also a great opportunity for our EOD team to exercise critical skills in the field under a unique scenario and challenging terrain," Underdahl said. "I truly appreciate all the coordination and effort it took from all parties involved and the onsite support we had to make this go so well."
Preserving the surrounding ecosystem was an integral part of the mission. Since the Pueblo of Acoma is located near migratory paths for protected bald and golden eagles, environmental teams enforce strict parameters during field operations. These measures include checking for active nests before operations, shifting flight paths to avoid nesting areas, and upgrading local power poles so eagles can land safely.
Through continued partnership with local tribal nations, Kirtland Air Force Base continues to balance its military readiness duties with protecting the region's shared environment and cultural heritage.
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| Date Taken: | 05.26.2026 |
| Date Posted: | 05.28.2026 16:00 |
| Story ID: | 566218 |
| Location: | KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, NEW MEXICO, US |
| Web Views: | 43 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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