FORT WINGATE, N.M. – The controlled detonation of an M66A1, 2000-pound explosive bomb of the World War II-era. The bomb was excavated by a Corps of Engineers contractor at a depth of over 30 feet below grade. It is suspected that the bomb was a part of a previous ammunition disposal operation conducted at the site in the past that was not properly prepared. The explosion failed to destroy the bomb, and it was covered by dirt from the original blast. After the bomb was unearthed this time, it was temporarily stored in a magazine until weather, environmental concerns, explosives safety and operational issues with equipment at the job site could be resolved. On May 20, 2015, the bomb was removed from storage and carefully placed in a prepared pit on a hillside and covered with 10 feet of dry soil. The photo captures the moment the fireball from the explosion breached the soil cover. Photo by Henry Domme. This was a 2015 photo drive entry.