Full Breakdown
TSA Officers Intercept Stolen Civil War Cannonballs at Alabama Airport
8/1/2026, 1:30:18 AM
Unexpected Find at Gulf Shores International Airport
On July 18, 2026, lead TSA officer Justin Dupree flagged a checked bag at Gulf Shores International Airport (JKA) after an X-ray alarm indicated a dense object. When opened, officers uncovered five Civil War-era cannonballs wrapped in paper towels. The largest were roughly the size of a grapefruit; the three smaller ones measured just over an inch in diameter. Because the items could not be immediately confirmed as inert, the TSA notified a regional explosives specialist and the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office.
Background of Fort Morgan
Fort Morgan, about 25 miles west of the airport, was built after the War of 1812 and played a role in the 1864 Battle of Mobile Bay. The fort’s staff marks artifacts with distinctive paint, which enabled investigators to link the recovered cannonballs to the fort’s collection.
Investigation and Recovery
Law-enforcement interviews identified a juvenile who removed the cannonballs from a storage area at Fort Morgan and placed them in the luggage of a relative traveling with a child. The adult passenger claimed the items had been purchased at a roadside stand and denied knowledge of their stolen status. No criminal charges were filed, and the cannonballs were returned to Fort Morgan after the TSA confirmed they were inert.
Official Statements & Responses
- The TSA stated the cannonballs are classified as artillery munitions, prohibited in baggage until their inert status is verified.
- Tara Corse, federal security director for Alabama, emphasized that even inert weapons can trigger alerts and cause flight delays.
- Richard Cash, supervisory TSA officer, noted the discovery was only the second incident of its kind since the airport opened in May 2025.
Data & Statistics
- Number of items: five cannonballs.
- Sizes: two grapefruit-sized; three about one inch wide.
- Date of discovery: July 18, 2026.
- Airport opening: May 2025; this was the second potential explosive incident recorded there.
Why It Matters
The episode underscores the challenges TSA faces when historical artifacts resemble potential threats. While the cannonballs posed no explosive danger, their classification required removal from the flight, illustrating how cultural-heritage items can disrupt security protocols. The incident also highlights the importance of provenance tracking at historic sites to prevent theft and the need for clear guidance to travelers about prohibited items, even when inert.
Verbatim Quotes
- “My first thought was, ‘I couldn’t see a fuse and need to get some help quick,’” — Officer Justin Dupree
- “I couldn’t see the entire item but was scared I might have been holding a live explosive.” — Officer Justin Dupree
- “I had never seen anything like this,” — Officer Richard Cash
- “It’s a unique story to tell, and no one got hurt,” — Mr. Fosnaugh, airport director
- “Even if inert and not active, travelers should avoid bringing weapons of any kind, including replicas, to the airport,” — Tara Corse
