Rocket Launcher Discovered At BWI, Second This Week: Fire Marshal

A rocket launch tube was found in the American Airlines baggage area at Baltimore Washington International Airport Thursday, according to the Maryland Office of the State Fire Marshal. It was the second military souvenir that authorities confiscated this week.

Investigators with the fire marshal’s bomb squad were called to assess the rocket launch tube at 5:20 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 1. It did not have any explosives inside, officials said.

The traveler who packed it was a U.S. Air Force sergeant, bringing the rocket launcher back to the United States aboard a military flight, according to the fire marshal.

“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,” the fire marshal said.

They took the launch tube “until it can be safely returned to the owner,” according to authorities.

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This is the second launch tube recovered this week at BWI from a member of the military.

A missile launcher was also detected in a man’s checked luggage Monday, July 29. Officials with the Transportation Security Administration said the traveler identified himself as a military member returning from Kuwait. He was on the way home to Texas and claimed he wanted the launcher as a souvenir.

“While it is not uncommon for military personnel to return home with mementos from their tours of duty,” the fire marshal said, “it is important that they are made aware of the differing regulations for their connecting commercial flights versus their military flights.”

People can search for items on the TSA’s website to see whether they can bring certain items aboard and if those can be brought as a carry-on or checked luggage item. For example, firearms can be brought in checked baggage as long as they are declared to the airline at check-in, with proper permitting documented; and they must be unloaded and packed in a hard-sided container that is locked.

The final determination about whether something can pass security rests with the TSA agent, the agency notes.

For the record, “rocket launcher” is a firm no.