MCO 8020.13 — Explosives Safety Review, Oversight, And Verification Of Response Actions...

MCO 8020.13 governs oversight, review, and verification of explosives safety aspects in response actions involving military munitions.

Search MCO 8020.13

  • Publication number: MCO 8020.13
  • Title: EXPLOSIVES SAFETY REVIEW, OVERSIGHT, AND VERIFICATION OF RESPONSE ACTIONS...
  • Date: 14 Oct 2003
  • Proponent: 08000 Ordnance Material
  • Status: New

View MCO 8020.13 on armypubs.army.mil


MCO 8020.13 addresses response action plans, military munitions and unexploded ordnance, real property, and explosives safety submissions. It requires approved plans or appropriate documentation, oversight, verification, and indefinite maintenance of certain emergency response records.

Applies to: This policy applies to Navy and Marine Corps response actions involving military munitions, including unexploded ordnance (UXO).

Topics covered

  • Response action plans
  • Military munitions
  • Unexploded ordnance
  • Explosives safety submissions
  • Real property
  • Emergency responses at non-operational ranges

Questions and answers

What does MCO 8020.13 require for response actions involving military munitions?

All response actions involving real property known or suspected to contain military munitions, including UXO, shall have approved plans and/or appropriate documentation in accordance with paragraph 6. (paragraph 5)

What must happen after response actions involving military munitions are completed?

Chief of Naval Operations (CNO)/Commandant of the Marine Corps (CMC) or their designated agents shall provide oversight of the implementation of response actions involving military munitions and, upon completion of these response actions, verify that appropriate explosives safety actions have been properly completed consistent with the reasonably anticipated reuse of the property. (paragraph 6)

What is unexploded ordnance under MCO 8020.13?

Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) means military munitions that have been primed, fuzed, armed, or otherwise prepared for action, and have been fired, dropped, launched, projected, or placed in such a manner as to constitute a hazard to operations, installation personnel, or material and remain unexploded either by malfunction, design, or any other cause, reference (f). (paragraph 4)

What items are not included as military munitions?

Military munitions do not include wholly inert items, improvised explosive devices, and nuclear weapons, nuclear devices, and nuclear components thereof. (paragraph 4)

What does the Marine Corps Systems Command commanding general coordinate before forwarding response action plans?

Coordinate all issues, plans and reports for response actions involving military munitions with DC I&L prior to approving and forwarding to DDESB. Coordination will ensure that explosives safety, land use, remediation, and other relevant issues are addressed. (paragraph 6)

Ask Reggie.Bot a question about MCO 8020.13