Project 09 History

The area that would become Camp Sibert was selected in the spring of 1942 for use in the development of a Replacement Training Center (RTC) for the Army Chemical Warfare Service. The RTC was moved from Edgewood, Maryland, to Alabama in the summer of 1942. In the fall of 1942, the Unit Training Center was added as a second command. Units and individual replacements were trained in aspects of both basic military training and in the use of chemical weapons, decontamination procedures, and smoke operations from late 1942 to early 1945. Several types and calibers of conventional weapons were fired at the Camp Sibert, with the 4.2-inch mortar being the heavy weapon most used in training.

The Camp Sibert Formerly Used Defense Sites (FUDS) property is located approximately 60 miles northeast of Birmingham, Alabama in Etowah and St. Clair Counties.

Project Area Location

Project 09—Japanese Pillbox Area No. 1 MRS

Currently, Project 09, also known as Site 17 Japanese Pillbox Area No. 1 Munitions Response Site (MRS), is actively undergoing remedial actions under the FUDS Program at the Camp Sibert FUDS property.

Project 09 is comprised of 223 acres, in the western-central portion of the Camp Sibert FUDS property, located north of Interstate 59 (I-59) in Etowah and St. Clair Counties.  The land comprising Project 09 is owned by private individuals and is currently a mixture of open fields and forest with some single-dwelling residences. Property owners use their properties for various activities including residences, timberland, hunting, and pasturage. The anticipated future land use is expected to remain the same.
Five-year reviews at Project 09 have been conducted in 2018 and 2022, which are intended to determine if the response action continues to minimize explosives safety risks and continues to be protective of human health, safety, and the environment.

Project 09 History

As part of the Camp Sibert FUDS property operations during World War II, the area covered by Project 09 was used for training by an Experimental Jungle Warfare Company that developed tactics for attacking Japanese-style pillboxes (named after their resemblance to boxes used to store medicinal pills in the early 20th century) or bunkers from October 6, 1943, to January 18, 1944. During training, troops would initially bombard the pillboxes with 4.2-inch mortars containing white phosphorus, liquid fillers that produce smoke, and high explosives. After the initial bombardment, the troops would tactically approach the pillbox, directly assaulting it with flamethrowers and other weapons. The weapons and military munitions that the company reportedly used to attack the pillboxes included but may not be limited to:

• 4.2-inch Mortar (M2 or M3)                                                                                                              
• M1 Grenade Launcher (rifle mounted)
• Fragmentation and WP Grenades
• M1 Portable Flame Thrower
• Small arms weapons and ammunition consisting of:
   
  • M1918 Browning Automatic Rifle, .30 caliber
  • M1 Thompson Sub-machine Gun, .45 caliber
  • M1 Carbine, .30 caliber
  • M1911A1 Pistol, .45 caliber

Project 09 Selected Remedy

The Decision Document for Project 09, signed on January 23, 2013, defined the Selected Remedy to include the following:

• Munitions and Explosive of Concern (MEC) Removal to Depth of Detection (Complete as of 2014)—This remedy was appropriate for Project 09 because munitions had been recovered at the Project from the ground surface to a depth of 32 inches. The depth of detection for the instruments used during the remedial action was determined and documented as 44 inches below ground surface during the Geophysical Prove-Out (GPO) for Project 09.
   
• Educational Awareness (In Progress)—Educational awareness regarding past military use of Project 09 and how to recognize and respond to potential munitions findings is intended to provide additional protection by increasing public awareness concerning munitions hazards at Project 09. No findings of munitions have been reported since the removal component of the remedy was completed in 2014. However, in order for the remedies to be protective in the long-term, an educational awareness program to increase public awareness concerning munitions hazards at Project 09 and how to address will ensure protectiveness.
   
• Off Site Disposal (Complete as of 2014)—An amendment to the Decision Document was issued in April 2014 to incorporate the off site disposal of liquid filled conventional munitions recovered during the remedial action. The Decision Document amendment identified the Selected Remedy as Off Site Disposal to DoD Facility (Anniston Army Depot). During completion of the remedial actions to dispose of the munitions, it was determined there were no liquid-filled conventional munitions, and as such, no off site disposal was required at Project 09.