7 Marines killed in explosion during training in Nevada.

[powderman]

         7 Marines killed during explosion at Nevada's Hawthorne Army Depot  Published March 19, 2013
FoxNews.com   

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An explosion at a military ammunition storage facility in Nevada during a Marine Corps training exercise killed seven U.S. Marines and wounded several others, military officials said.
The North Carolina-based Marines with the 2nd Marine Division were killed late Monday when a 60-millimeter mortar exploded during a live-fire training exercise at Hawthorne Army Depot as they were preparing to fire it, NBC News reports.
 
The cause of the incident remains under investigation. The identities of those killed were not released pending notification of their families, officials said in a statement from the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force at Camp LeJeune, N.C.
"We send our prayers and condolences to the families of Marines involved in this tragic incident. We remain focused on ensuring that they are supported through this difficult time," said Maj. Gen. Raymond C. Fox, the force's commander. "We mourn their loss, and it is with heavy hearts we remember their courage and sacrifice."
 
Stacy Kendall, a spokeswoman for Renown Regional Medical Center, told NBC News the facility was treating eight people wounded in the blast. Three were listed in serious condition; five were listed in fair condition. Kendall said the injuries included traumas and fractures.
Earlier, Russ Collier, an official at the facility, told KRNV-TV that the explosion was an accident unrelated to the ammunition that is stored at the military facility near the small desert community of Hawthorne.
 
The 147,000-acre depot, established in 1930, is about 140 miles southeast of Reno. The facility stores and disposes of ammunition, and provides long-term storage for industrial plant equipment. It's comprised of nearly 3,000 buildings — including igloos, supply warehouses and munitions sheds — throughout more than 230 square miles.
 
Since World War II, when the facility became the staging area for ammunition, bombs and rockets for the war, Hawthorne has held an important place in U.S. military history. The Nevada Division of Environmental Protection said the depot employed more than 5,500 people at its peak. Nevada was chosen for the location because of its remoteness in the wake of a crippling explosion at the government's main depot in New Jersey in the 1920s.
The facility had an operating budget of $270,000 and a payroll of $2.88 million in fiscal year 2009, according to its website.
Nevada's political leaders expressed their sympathy on Tuesday.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., gave his condolences to victims of the explosion during a morning speech on the Senate floor.
 
Nevada Republican Sen. Dean Heller tweeted, "Thoughts and prayers are with the families who lost a loved one in the Hawthorne Army Depot explosion. Grateful for their service."
"I am deeply saddened to hear of the incident at the Hawthorne Army Depot this morning," Republican Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval said in a statement. "The men and women who work and train there put service ahead of self each and every day. Kathleen and I wish to extend our deepest sympathies to those killed and their families. Our thoughts and prayers are with those who have been injured and we pray for their speedy recovery."
The Associated Press contributed to this report

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/us/2013/03/19/explosion-during-training-at-hawthorne-army-depot/#ixzz2O0IuLJEn

[BBF]

When that delay mechanism to arm the ordnance isn't working it does make a big bang way earlier than anticipated.

[ironglow]

  Rep Allen West suggested the possibility of a "hot cookoff " being the cause of the tragedy.  That is possible, but (IMO) not probable..
  A cook off is more likely in an artillery chamber.. a hangfire may be more feasible, but in either case there should not have been that many casualties.  A cook off would still direct the fire directly out of the tube, and if a hangfire occured..the area would be cleared for a time.   The only exception I can see is if a cook off or hangfire occured..and fired directly into a careless crew member, exploding it right there.
   My guess is a dropped round, where the point detonator is struck or even where a suitable object struck the primer.. but that's just a tanker's guess, with minimal mortar training,.......perhaps a mortar crew member can chip in here...

[BBF]

I had a more than casual interest in those gadgets as far as ammo is concerned. A cook -off is not something a mortar would do.It would take a full auto weapon to do this or a very hot arty piece with fixed ammo left loaded and unfired for some time.
 
Hangfire(  round failed to fire) is handled in this way.
 
There is a waiting period of a specific time when nothing is done or moved with the mortar. The crew takes cover and waits.
 
If the round doesn't  fire off within the waiting time, the tube is gently lowered to a muzzle down position only to the point that the round starts to slide out of the tube. A crewmember would have just enough of his hands over the rim of the tube to catch the round and place it on the ground.
 
( I presume someone will need to change their underwear).

 
This may have changed, since my "acquaintance" has been a long time ago.
 
In the case of the Nevada incident it will have to be seen whether or not the round exploded inside to tube or in the very close vicinity of the mortar.  In either case it is a defective fuse that caused this.