Under its formal partnership with the Ministry of Defence in the Republic of Congo, MAG provides technical support to the Forces Armées Congolaises (FAC) to safely manage and dispose of weapons and ammunition from storage depots in urban areas, with the capital city of Brazzaville the number one priority.
Earlier this month, MAG removed and destroyed the last of the 39 FAB-500 M62 (high explosive) aircraft bombs – each 500kg – which had been lying haphazardly in the grounds of the Brazzaville Central Armament Depot.
This latest controlled demolition – the explosive capacity of the bomb was put to optimal use, to also destroy 31,281 ammunition rounds, artillery shells and fuses, training bombs, anti-tank mine fuses, rockets, grenades and mortar shells weighing a total of 2,616kg – removed a significant threat to the urban population surrounding the depot.
Said U.S. Ambassador Alan Eastham, who attended the demolition on 6 February: "MAG’s work in removing and destroying dangerous old munitions, and increasing the capability of the Republic of Congo Armed Forces to conduct this work themselves, brings important benefits in terms of the safety and security of Congolese. The United States is proud to support this important work."
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A controlled demolition: in pictures |
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Some of the 500kg aircraft bombs lying haphazardly in the grounds of Brazzaville Central Armament Depot. |
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Some of the numerous additional items to be destroyed, housed in the depot. |
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The last of the aircraft bombs is rolled into its grave, on top of light infantry ammunition, by MAG Technical Field Manager (TFM) Valere Madaj. |
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Over a tonne of unfused artillery shells (seen here, 23mm and 76mm) and grenades are placed around the FAB-500 M62. MAG TFM Dominique Morin ensures good positioning of the bomb in order to maximise the use of its explosive force. |
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Various munitions and missiles are positioned with the bomb by Forces Armées Congolaises Corporal Bréchere Yengolo, under the supervision of MAG’s TFM. |
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Explosive demolition priming charges are rigged. |
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Everything is then buried. US Ambassador Alan Eastham, invited to witness the definitive removal of these type of bombs from Brazzaville, observes. |
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An electrical detonator is connected to the electrical firing cable, and in turn attached to the detonating cord minutes before the controlled explosion. |
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The US Ambassador presses the button of the 'Mini-shrike' exploder from the 'firing post'. The explosion was nicely controlled and resulted in a high vertical projection with few flares and very little metal residue seen afterwards. |
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The controlled explosion, as seen from behind the protection of the firing post, 350 metres away. |
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A significant threat to the urban population surrounding the depot is removed. |
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[Photos: Frédéric Martin, MAG Republic of Congo] |
Links:
- More on MAG's work in the Republic of Congo
- Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement [external site]
- Conflict Prevention Pool [external site]
- Click on Tags below for related articles
24 February 09
MAG's work in the Republic of Congo is supported by: Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement, US Department of State; the inter-ministerial Conflict Prevention Pool of the British Government.
