The marine told investigators he found the round in the field about a year ago and kept it, thinking it wasn't live. Due to extensive rust and corrosion, the round's original identifying paint markings were no longer visible, making it difficult to determine whether it was an inert training munition or a live explosive device.
My immediate response is, or thought is, you know, really thinking of the families of this, of the aircrew here. Look, I have always felt like Iran it's a very big country. It's not the same as Iraq or Afghanistan.