Authorities discovered a second military-grade launch tube this week in passenger luggage at Baltimore Washington International Airport. The inert rocket launch tube, said to be free of any explosives, was recovered from the baggage of a United States Air Force sergeant who arrived at BWI on a military flight.
“While the launch tube presents no immediate threat to anyone on the ground, there is a slight chance that it could contain pressurized gas, and was therefore not allowed on the sergeant’s connecting commercial flight,” a statement from the Office of the State Fire Marshal said.
Another inactive missile launcher was discovered earlier this week at BWI in the suitcase of a passenger returning from Kuwait. The man, identified as active U.S. military, told authorities he had intended to keep it as a souvenir. After spotting the missile launcher, the Transportation Security Administration contacted authorities who tracked down and questioned the man. He was later permitted to board his flight home to Texas. The missile launcher was handed over to the fire marshal for safe disposal.
Military weapons, whether active or not, are banned on commercial flights in the United States. The military advises personnel to be mindful of rules and regulations when traveling home with their equipment and souvenirs.
The device discovered on Thursday will be inspected by the bomb squad for safety and is expected to be returned to the Air Force sergeant.
