HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah – Officials with the U.S. Air Force said large detonation operations began Monday at the Utah Test and Training Range (UTTR) and will last through the end of September.
The operations include “destroying the rocket motors and solid propellant of Air Force and Navy ballistic missiles” two-to-three times a week.
“Detonation is the best environmental method for disposing of these large rocket motors and propellant,” said Michelle Cottle, the Environmental Branch Chief for the 75th Civil Engineer Group. “The UTTR is the only location in the United States capable of destroying these missile motors, and we do everything possible to do this work without adversely affecting those around us.”
Several KSL viewers reported shaking around 12:15 p.m. Monday, but seismologists at the University of Utah confirmed that no earthquake had occurred.
Officials said since 2012, more than 300 rocket motors have been destroyed at the UTTR.
Before detonations involving more than 10,000 pounds of net explosive weight occur, Air Force crews test check wind speed, direction and other factors, and enter them into a sound model to determine if conditions are acceptable for a large detonation.
They said detonations are delayed if the noise is predicted to surpass permitted levels across the Wasatch Front.
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