Training Bomb Strikes Vehicle Near Nellis Air Force Base

Pictured here is a practice ordnance 25-pound BDU-33 bomb, similar to the one that struck a vehicle near Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, October 15, 2008. (Uncredited photo.)

News in Balance:

NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev., Oct. 16, 2008 -- A training weapon fell from an Air Force aircraft on a training mission and struck a vehicle traveling on a road adjacent to the base Oct. 15, said Nellis Air Force Base officials.

The weapon, a 25-pound bomb dummy unit-33, landed near a mobility warehouse on the base before bouncing into the road and striking a civilian vehicle.

The driver was not hurt.

"The BDU-33 did not fall directly from the sky and onto Las Vegas Boulevard," said Col. Dave Belote, the 99th Air Base Wing commander. "It impacted on Nellis AFB proper and then bounced 700 to 800 feet and made impact with the truck."

Nellis AFB security forces Airmen and Las Vegas Metropolitan Police officials responded to the scene.

The training bomb is used to simulate the ballistics of real air-to-ground weapons and does not carry explosives. Instead, it carries a small smoke charge used to mark the device's impact point.

Though no one was injured in the incident, base officials said they will take more precautions to prevent accidents like this in the future.

"We take this incident very seriously," said Brig. Gen. Russell J. Handy, the 57th Wing commander. "The safety of our Airmen and our neighbors here is of the utmost concern to us and we're very, very thankful no one was injured."

Nellis AFB personnel and Las Vegas police are jointly investigating the incident.

(From a U.S. Air Force news release.)

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