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For Immediate Release Release No: PR-120205-NM1

Families begin returning to Coleville housing, mission continues

MARINE CORPS MOUNTAIN WARFARE TRAINING CENTER, BRIDGEPORT, Calif.

(Feb. 5, 2012) – After extensive safety inspections of all housing units, systems and structures,

the command team of the Mountain Warfare Training Center gave approval to most residents of 

the Coleville housing area to begin returning to their homes today.

At a “town hall” meeting, Col. Phillip W. Chandler informed the families of his

command that the propane distribution system passed pressure tests throughout the night and each

house was checked sequentially to ensure no gas leaks were detected.

The priorities of focus for the command leadership were people, places, processes. The

first priority was the safety, care and sheltering of the families. Following that, conditions were

set for fire and safety investigators to begin systematically checking the infrastructure of the

housing area and the structural integrity of the housing, classifying each building based on

severity of damage and ability to safely and comfortably shelter a family. The command is

entering the third phase, focusing on the processes and procedures that will enable a return to

daily life.

Of the 38 families that were displaced by this incident, all but 18 families have returned

to their homes. The homes of eleven families were rendered uninhabitable by the Friday night

blast due to structural damage or foundation damage. Eleven homes were coincidentally

unassigned in the housing area and those impacted families have received the keys to their new

homes. The remaining seven families will return based on their individual timelines and needs.

Marine Air Ground Task Force Training Command

Marine Corps Air Ground Combat CenterTwentynine Palms, California 92278 (760) 830-3760

Fax: (760) 830-5474 

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The logistical efforts are underway for teams of Marines to begin moving each family into their

new home. Insurance policies covering each home in the neighborhood will ensure that all

damages and losses are covered at no expense to the families occupying them. The members of 

the community are banding together during this difficult time to ensure the well-being of each

member of the command family. We will keep faith with our Marines, sailors and their families.

Marines take care of their own.

Of the two injured people from the accident, the service member being treated at Renown

Medical Center in Reno, Nev., has been released from the hospital and has united with their

family member still in critical condition at University of Calif., Davis Medical Center.

Representatives of the command were dispatched to aid the Hardin family and the family of the

two injured people within hours of the explosion.

To provide the MWTC commanding officer with Marine Corps level support for his

efforts, Maj. Gen. Raymond C. Fox, commanding general, Training and Education Command, is

on scene. Brig. Gen. Vincent A. Coglianese, commanding general, Marine Corps Installations

West, will conduct a visit of the site tomorrow.

A photo feed of response and recovery efforts over the last 24 hours has been established

at www.flickr.com/thecombatcenter. Hi-resolution photos are available for media use but proper

attribution is requested.

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For further information, contact Marine Air Ground Task Force Training Command PAO, Capt.

Nicholas Mannweiler, at nicholas.mannweiler@usmc.mil  . Email is currently the only method of 

contacting Capt. Mannweiler due to lack of cell phone coverage.