On 17th October 2017 the Chief of Staff (COS) EUFOR, Brigadier General József Szpisják, visited the Ammunition Storage Site (ASS) Car Dušan near Rudo, He was escorted by EUFOR’s Joint Military Affairs Chief and Ammunition Technical Advisor. The aim of the visit was to familiarise COS EUFOR with the problems associated with the storage of the large quantities of surplus ammunition held by the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina (AFBiH) and to see for himself the condition of the ammunition storage and the environment in which the ammunition is stored. He was met at the site by Colonel Djukanović, Head of the Logistics Command Logistics Planning and Operations Branch of the AFBiH. Also present was the Commanding Officer of the 4th Logistic Battalion of the AFBiH, Major Raguž. The 4th Logistic Battalion is responsible for the running of the site.
COS EUFOR was given a brief on the ASS and it was explained that the ASS was a non-perspective site and would be closed as soon as the surpluses of ammunition held by the AFBiH were disposed of. It was also explained that as the site was non-perspective, the BiH MoD was reluctant to spend any money on, or allocate resources to, the site. The briefing identified the quantities and types of ammunition held at the ASS and updated COS EUFOR on the status of the ongoing 100% visual inspection by AFBiH inspection teams of all ammunition held by the AFBiH. COS then viewed the two inspection lines being run; one line was the inspection of 100g TNT demolition charges and the other 44mm anti-tank rifle grenades. The inspectors in charge of these lines explained the safety critical features of the ammunition they were handling and what constituted the basis for recommending disposal action on an item.
During the tour COS noted the dilapidated condition of the storage buildings and other infrastructure elements including uncontrolled vegetation growth and lightning conductors which were not operational. He also witnessed the Guard Force accommodation which is in need of serious maintenance.
At the end of the visit COS thanked everyone for their openness in discussing the problems associated with this site. He also stated that he was impressed by the professionalism of all involved in the work at ASS Car Dušan and stated that the safety of personnel working at the ASS was of paramount importance and that they should ensure this was their number one priority.
