Training Missile Falls grom U.S Military Helicopter, 100 Homes Evacuated

Houston (ANTARA/Xinhua-OANA) - An inactive training missile accidentally fell from a military helicopter in central Texas, forcing temporary evacuation of some 100 homes around the U.S. army base of Fort Hood, local media reported on Wednesday. Killeen police spokesman Carrol Smith said on Wednesday that nobody was injured and Fort Hood has taken over the investigation of the incident. The missile, identified as an M36 training device, fell onto the ground in an open field adjacent to Aquarius Drive and Trimmer Drive in Killeen, home to the Fort Hood army base, at around 8:15 p.m. local time Tuesday. Fort Hood's Explosive Ordinance Disposal Team was dispatched to the area. About 100 homes were temporarily evacuated as a precaution. An investigation is underway, said Howard Arey, an aviation officer at the army base. Arey said the army believed the accident "is not a systemic issue." (*)