Unexploded Ordnance in Iraq

NPR

Published May 22, 2003 at 12:00 AM EDT

U.S. Army Sgt. Scott Weimer stands in front of a house formerly used by the Iraqi army to store artillery shells and propellant. "UXO" is military shorthand for unexploded ordnance.

The war in Iraq may be over, but the weapons left behind continue to kill. Iraqi army weapons hidden in homes and public buildings are causing American bomb squads the most problems.

Scores of badly injured children turn up daily in Iraq's hospitals after playing with shells, bombs and other explosives left behind. And it's not just Iraqi weapons -- U.S. cluster bombs are also a problem. The controversial bombs spray dozens of smaller "bomblets" on enemy positions, and not all the bomblets explode.

NPR's Nick Spicer recently spent a day with a team of U.S. Army explosive ordnance disposal experts, who search for Iraqi bombs, shells and other weapons left behind when Iraqi resistance evaporated.

SUSTAIN what matters. BUILD what’s next.

With federal funding eliminated, WKAR relies more than ever on community support to sustain essential services that remain freely available to everyone in mid-Michigan. Your support helps shape what comes next for public media in our region. The best way to support WKAR is by becoming a sustaining member today or by upgrading your current gift. Support WKAR TV Here | Support WKAR Radio Here.