The San Diego International Airport witnessed an unusual discovery on Thursday when construction workers excavating at Terminal 1 unearthed a hand grenade.
The incident prompted a swift response from local authorities, but further investigation revealed that the grenade was an old inert training tool with no explosive capabilities. While the object posed no threat to the public, its presence sparked curiosity and raised questions about its origin.
A False Alarm: The Training Grenade Discovery
At approximately 12:10 PM, construction workers digging in the area of Terminal 1 uncovered what appeared to be a hand grenade. Recognizing the potential danger, they immediately alerted airport authorities, who called in local law enforcement, including the Harbor Police officers and K-9 units, to assess the situation.
In response to the alert, the San Diego Fire-Rescue’s Metro-Arson Strike Team also arrived at the scene. After a careful examination, authorities determined that the object was an inert training grenade, meaning it had never been capable of detonating. The grenade was safely removed from the premises, and the construction area was cleared to ensure safety.
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Despite the initial alarm, aviation operations at the airport remained largely unaffected. However, one traffic lane leading to Terminal 1 was temporarily disrupted as authorities worked to manage the situation. Questions remain about how the grenade ended up at the site, and further investigations may shed light on its origin.
Possible Link to San Diego’s Military History
San Diego has a rich military history, which raises speculation about whether the grenade was a relic from past military operations. During World War II, the U.S. Army Air Corps took control of San Diego International Airport and transformed it into a key aviation hub.
The runways were upgraded to accommodate long-range bombers manufactured in the region, making the airport a significant site for wartime aviation.
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The construction of an 8,750-foot mega-runway during the war made San Diego International Airport ready for the jet age long before commercial airlines began using jet aircraft. With such a deep-rooted military presence in the area, it is possible that the grenade was inadvertently left behind from past military training exercises. However, its exact history remains unclear.
San Diego International Airport has played an important role in American aviation history. In 1927, Charles Lindbergh took off from San Diego in his aircraft, the Spirit of St. Louis, for the first-ever solo nonstop transatlantic flight.
The airport was later named Lindbergh Field in his honor, though it now operates as San Diego International Airport. The discovery of a military artifact at the site is a reminder of the region’s longstanding connection to aviation and defense.
Ongoing Construction and Future Expansion
San Diego International Airport is currently undergoing a major transformation with the construction of a new Terminal 1. The project, which began in 2021, aims to replace the aging terminal, enhance airfield infrastructure, and improve transportation connectivity. As construction progresses, unexpected finds like the training grenade may continue to emerge.
Despite the minor disruption caused by the grenade discovery, the airport remains committed to expanding its capacity to meet the growing demand for air travel. In 2019, the airport served over 25 million passengers, and that number is expected to increase to 39 million by 2035.
The new Terminal 1 will include 19 new gates as part of Phase 1A, set to open in late summer 2024, followed by 11 additional gates in early 2028. San Diego International Airport continues to be one of the busiest single-runway commercial airports in the world, with nonstop passenger flights to 75 domestic and 10 international destinations.
Major airlines operating at the airport include Alaska Airlines, Southwest Airlines, United Airlines, JetBlue, Frontier Airlines, American Airlines, and Delta Air Lines.
The discovery of the training grenade serves as an intriguing historical footnote amid the airport’s modernization efforts. While authorities have determined that the object posed no threat, its presence highlights the layered history of the airport and its connection to past military activities.
As construction continues, workers and authorities will remain vigilant for any further surprises hidden beneath the surface of one of America’s most significant aviation hubs.
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