Military gear found in shed

Wednesday, Oct. 16, 1996 | 11:59 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- Ammunition, parts for rifles and jeeps, and other military equipment belonging to the Nevada Army National Guard have been discovered in a storage shed in a remote area of Lyon County.

Investigations of the stash are under way by guard officials.

Acting on a tip last month, guardsmen found the items, apparently from the armory in Yerington. It's unclear whether the items were stolen or merely discarded as excess property.

"A couple of people are implicated pretty strongly," said Gen. Tony Clark, adjutant general of the Nevada guard. "Nobody has been suspended pending the outcome of the investigation. Last week a couple of new names popped up."

Those officers and enlisted men are being interviewed.

The storage shed is near Wabuska, about 12 miles from Yerington. Clark said it is not known who owns the shed.

Among items found were bullets for M-16 rifles, M-60 machine guns and guns used on tanks, but no explosive devices. Also found were transmissions, wheels and tires from jeeps, and bolts and slides from rifles.

There is no indication so far that any equipment was sold. The items are now in safekeeping in Carson City for use as evidence if hearings are held.

"We're wrapping up our investigation and disciplinary or criminal action will be taken, if warranted," Clark said.

Lt. Col. Thomas Pursel, inspector general for the National Guard in Carson City, is conducting one investigation. Maj. William Stockdale from Las Vegas is conducting a separate probe.

The equipment apparently came from the armory in Yerington, home of Company A, 1st Battalion, 221st Armor Group, where there are four full-time employees. The battalion has 14 tanks and other equipment.

Maj. Jon Morrow, in charge of armories across Nevada, including the one at Yerington, said he knew nothing about the internal investigations.

"As far as I know there is nothing missing," he said. "We conducted an inventory a month ago when a new full-time supply sergeant took over. There were a few things missing, but they were minor ... a couple of hundred dollars worth of stuff."

The missing items included some silverware from mess kits and similar items, he said.

"I don't think anything is missing there," Morrow said. "I've heard rumors to that effect, but nobody has come to me."

It's possible the items were excess military property and were stored in the shed, Clark said. But the procedure is to turn the gear in so it might be used in other places.

"If an individual soldier has excess equipment, it should be turned in and no questions are asked," he said. "I'm disappointed that this didn't take place with some of this."

It appears the equipment "accumulated there" over a long period, and it could have come from several units, he said. "It could have been discarded, but it should have been turned in."