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Show Moab, Utah SECTION "B" Moab, Grand County, Utah 84532 - Thursday, May 1, 1969 The Times-Independent tV B Thursday, September IT 1969 Missiles Successful Two Army Pershing missiles launched near Blanding, Utah September 5 impacted successfully on White Sands Missile Range. Opening the fall firing series, the missiles were launched by troops from the Federal Republic of Germany Air Force in the country for annual practice firings. Units from the 2nd Battalion, 44th Artillery based at Ft. Sill, Okla.. provided technical and administrative support for the firing. White Sands Missile Range personnel provided ground and flight safety and range instrumentation support. The model P-l ground support equipment mounted .on tracked vehicles was used for the firings. The first missile wa.s launched at 13:55 p.m., with the second following at "14:30 p.m. Missile Killed In Flight by White Sands The second of two Pershing Missiles launched Tuesday from Black Mesa near Bianding was cut down in flight by White Sands Missile Range safety personnel because the missile malfunctioned. The first missile impacted successfully on WS MR in southern New Maxico . The two missiles were launched by units: of the; Federal Republic of Germany Air Force. The first fir-' ing was at lt):55 a.m. with the second following a little more than an hour at twelve noon. Components of the second missile fell in an uninhabited area approximately 22 miles southwest of the launch point, about 7 miles east of the town of Bluff, Utah. There have been no reports of damage to personnel or property. The liklihood of such damage is considered remote because of the extremely low population density of the area in which the debris fell. Recovery crews are working at the site in helicopters to recover all components. An official investigation has been initiated by the Commanding General of WSMR to determine the cause of the missiles' malfunction. The two missiles were the fifth and sixes rounds fired in the spring series of Pershing annual service pra'cP tice firings. The series began in early April with two rounds being fired by the Federal Republic of Germany Air Force. Both impacted successfully on the White Sands range. Two weeks ago the second pair of rounds was fired by, the units of the 7th U. S.' Army. The final two rounds in the series are scheduled to be fired next month by the 7th Army. |