Navy Detonated Deteriorated Explosives After Sub Base Evacuation

GROTON, CT—The Navy detonated deteriorated explosives at SUBASE Thursday after three pounds of "explosives used for military working dog training were discovered to have deteriorated during a routine inspection of the bunker in which they were stored in the base’s weapons compound." The 11 a.m. find led to a temporary evacuation of a rec area on base, the base golf course and the Thames View Marina, the Navy said.

A Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal Team safely detonated the explosives at 3:10 p.m. in an uninhabited forest area inside Naval Submarine New London’s northeast quadrant.

The base has returned to normal operations.

The explosives, "used for military working dog training, were discovered to have deteriorated during a routine inspection of the bunker in which they were stored in the base’s weapons compound," the Navy said

The base fire department, security department, and the EOD Team from Newport, R.I, were immediately called to the scene, established safety boundaries, and began the planning for the controlled detonation. Local area police and fire departments were also notified, the Navy said.

Additionally, base leadership was in contact with town officials in Ledyard and Groton to keep them informed of the situation.

The base’s North Lake Recreation area, Goose Run Golf Course, Thames View Marina, and activities near the bunker that were closed prior to the safe detonation are now open.

“We appreciate the patience and understanding of the base and local community as we safely resolved this issue,” said SUBASE Commanding Officer, Captain Todd Moore.

“The Navy New London team and our local military and community partners responded to today’s event with professionalism. We train for these type of scenarios. It all paid dividends today,” he said.