The federal government is seeking at least $125 million in damages from two defense contractors to pay for a massive environmental cleanup at a Cold War-era Atlas missile site near Mead.
The federal government is suing over a massive toxic chemical spill into the soil and water at an Atlas missile-building site in the 1960s. This photograph was taken at the Nebraska Army National Guard Mead Training Site in November 2023.
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General Dynamics included this map illustrating the plumes of TCE in the groundwater, trailing south and east of the former Nebraska Ordnance Plant and Atlas Missile site just south of Mead. The 17,250-acre site, now part of the Superfund, is now home to a University of Nebraska Extension research farm and a Nebraska National Guard training site.
Wastewater treatment plants operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers near Mead remove toxic chemicals from contaminated groundwater at the former Nebraska Ordnance Plant. The area has been a Superfund site for more than 30 years. Removal of trichloroethylene and other chemicals is expected to continue for decades.
A ceremonial groundbreaking for a new 160-bed barracks project at the Nebraska Army National Guard Mead Training Site near Yutan on Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2023.
Photos: Nebraska Ordnance Plant
Nebraska Ordnance Plant
The Korean War gave the Nebraska Ordnance Plant near Mead new life in the early 1950s. Assembly line workers, pictured here in 1952, made rocket ammunition for the Army that made its way to training camps all over the U.S.
Nebraska Ordinance Plant
Don Buell of Oakland (center) explains a 2 million-volt X-ray machine for inspecting ammunition at the Nebraska Ordinance Plant at Mead in the 1950s. With him are Jim Kuhl of Fremont (left) and John McGuire of Fremont. The three are standing on a ring which rotated the shells in and out of the room as the giant machine (left) made X-ray pictures. The plant, which closed at the conclusion of the Korean War, produced more than 2.8 million bombs for World War II.
Mead Ordnance Plant
The Mead Ordnance Plant in 1943 was operated by the Firestone Rubber Company for the U. S. government in the production of bombs and other ordnance for World War II.
Nebraska Ordnance Plant
Nebraska Ordnance Plant, September 1953.
Nebraska Ordnance Plant
Owen Kentopp of Falls City places cartons of rockets in ammunition boxes in April 1954. Mead-made rocket ammunition for the 3.5 inch recoilless rifle developed by the Army found its way to Army training camps all over the U.S.
Nebraska Ordnance Plant Employees
Employees of Rocket Loading Line at Nebraska Ordnance Plant being commended on Nov. 6, 1953, by the commanding officer, Lt. Col. Walter J. Seely, on attaining over 1 million man hours without a lost-time accident.
Nebraska Ordnance Plant
The Nebraska Ordnance Plant in Mead, built in 1942, was one of 27 bomb-making plants built as part of the country's World War II efforts. At the end of shifts, workers would use high-pressure hoses to clean concrete floors, allowing chemicals to leach into the groundwater.
Nebraska Ordnance Plant
Harold Johnson of Fremont stands at the entrance of the Nebraska Ordnance Plant maintenance shop and warehouse area on April 20, 1958.
Nebraska Ordnance Plant
Nebraska Ordnance Plant site after closure, prior to being parceled and sold to the public. Former Saunders County Assessor Ira Wolfe said much of the land -- 5,131.72 acres are to be sold -- is "some of the best farm land in the state." On Feb. 21, 1989, groundwater contamination cleanup began at the Nebraska Ordnance Plant location, after designation as a Superfund site.
Nebraska Ordinance Plant
Roland Buchholz of Oakland grasps a rocket motor unit ready to go to the assembly line at the Nebraska Ordinance Plant at Mead in the 1950s. With back to camera is Maxine Osterloch of Wahoo. Across from her is Rose Rejda, also of Wahoo. The women check all of the motors to be sure they are complete.
Nebraska Ordinance Plant
Eight thousand pounds of explosives and Tritonite pellets are poured into the high casing of a 10,000 pound bomb at the Nebraska Ordinance Plant at Mead in the 1950s. The bombs were handled entirely by machines throughout production.
Nebraska Ordinance Plant
S.N. Bennett (from left) and I.A. Miller pose with 6-ton bombs at the Nebraska Ordinance Plant at Mead in December 1954.
Nebraska Ordinance Plant
Workers at the Nebraska Ordinance Plant at Mead in the 1950s.
Nebraska Ordnance Plant
Members of the plant protection department at Nebraska Ordnance Plant in Mead, were awarded a commendation certificate of merit for having worked 50,000 man-hours without a lost-time accident on July 26, 1953.
Nebraska Ordnance Plant
The millionth practice rocket was assembled at the Nebraskan Ordnance Plant at Mead and celebrated. This photo ran in the Lincoln Evening Journal on Oct. 10, 1952. Production of the rockets started at the plant in February. Shown are (from left) Capt. D.F. Daugherty, Army ordnance inspector; Donald Barclay, a line superintendent; Frank Crowley, director of production; and R.J. Martinelli, direction of inspection and quality control.
