NSP, Air National Guard dispose of multiple explosive devices

(Undated) -- Multiple explosive devices are recently removed from multiple Nebraska homes and destroyed.

The Nebraska State Patrol says troopers with their Bomb Squad, assisted by an Explosive Ordnance Disposal team from the Nebraska Air National Guard’s 155th Air Refueling Wing, safely destroyed the three old military devices in the last week.

The NSP says on February 24th, a Fremont resident located a grenade in the belongings of a deceased relative. That person reported it to the Dodge County Sheriff’s Office, which contacted the NSP Bomb Squad. Upon inspection, troopers determined that the grenade was live. The grenade was transported to a safe location where it was destroyed with a counter charge by troopers and National Guard EOD unit members.

Then on February 27th, the NSP says the Antelope County Sheriff’s Office reported to the Bomb Squad that they had been notified of an old military ordnance at a residence in Oakdale. Troopers and the National Guard EOD unit responded, and after determining that the device was a practice bomb, it was transported to a safe location and destroyed.

Finally, on February 28th, the Sheridan County Sheriff’s Office notified the NSP Bomb Squad that they had located what was believed to be a cannon round at a residence in Rushville. Upon inspection, troopers identified the device as an artillery projectile fuze and believed that it was a live explosive device. NSP Bomb Squad troopers and National Guard EOD unit members transported the fuze to a safe location and destroyed it with a counter charge.

“Explosive devices can be extremely dangerous,” said Trooper Gabe Skalka, Commander of the NSP Bomb Squad. “If you ever find anything like any of these items, call the authorities immediately and do not attempt to move it. Our teams can be called-in to handle and dispose of the items in a safe manner.”