The FMHA Bunker Busters pursued a variety of new projects over the late winter, spring, summer and early fall months of 2020. The photos below are just a small sampling of the many repair, maintenance and restoration projects on which this 50+ strong group works at tirelessly virtually every week of the year – no, not that virtually . 


The FMHA Bunker Busters operate from a large workshop inside Battery Smith, which housed two 16-inch artillery guns during World War II. This crew of Bunker Busters poses while constructing a platform on which FMHA’s recently acquired relic from the Battleship USS Arizona will be mounted. A comprehensive exhibit featuring the USS Arizona relic will open in the Spring of 2021.


Here, repairs are being made to the control box for a mobile Sperry searchlight prior to the searchlight’s use at a fall wedding that took place at the Museum’s Events Venue.


The Bunker Busters’ shop and workplace at Battery Smith is being expanded to accommodate upcoming winter restoration projects. Here interior walls are being cleaned prior to painting.


Three nattily attired Bunker Busters undertake a welding project to secure the entrance to the Harbor Defense Command Post. 

Recent Projects 

Barracks 

  • Our crew is replacing rotted wood, replacing moldings with period-correct pieces, reglazing windows and improving lighting and electrical fitments. 
  • We are reflashing chimneys to keep water out. The roof on each building is in fair shape, and we’re doing what we can to make them solid. Eventually, we will replace the roof material. 
  • The crew made wooden number signs to identify the barracks, similar to those installed in the 1960s. We no longer need to ask, “Which one is T604?” 
  • FMHA hasn’t held an event this year, and we are taking this opportunity to finish work without being pushed against a deadline. 

Battery 519 

  • The big news here is the museum refresh. We are organizing displays, setting up information panels, and moving in new artifacts. The M2 mine is now in the north powder room and we have a full mine display. It looks great. The crew did a terrific job, building a steel frame on which to hang the M2 mine. 
  • With the help of Executive Director Mark Chura, we have dedicated LED lighting on these displays. It is the most professional room we have, and we’re working to get the rest of the museum up to speed. 
  • We have been working on signs throughout the building to describe what we have in place. We have more to do, including describing the building. This is progress as promised. 
  • The north gun room has a carpeted floor, two large-screen monitors and cabinets for the AV equipment. It looks much better than it did just a year ago. 
  • Also, thanks to Mark Chura and others, the north gun room has heating, ventilation and air conditioning. It is quiet, draft-free and comfortable. It took a while for us to accomplish this because of funding, but we’re one step closer to having the entire building’s HVAC system completed. The last zone will be the north powder and shell rooms. This will complete installation that started nearly 20 years ago. 
  • Fred Noll has built a ram for the 12-inch gun. It looks like the original. Our goal is to make the gun elevate, from horizontal, allowing us to conduct loading exercises. This will be power operated because of the weight of the rifle. The window to the outside will be made to slide to maintain weather tightness. 
  • Pat Bragdon has been working on shells for the 12-inch gun, which will be displayed in the museum, and 16-inch shells, which will be displayed near the Missouri gun. They are painted the appropriate colors and will really make this feel like an artillery installation. 

The Arizona Artifact 

We have a piece of the USS Arizona. Part of its superstructure was removed after it was sunk in Pearl Harbor and stored in the hills above. The Navy gave us an opportunity to get a piece and, after much work, it’s in our possession. Our crew, with assistance from others, designed an illuminated display. It looks great. We expect completion in the next month or two. The work looks amazing. It’s very professional, a creative presentation and something we can be proud of. 

Battery Smith 

  • Our shop is in Battery Smith. With the help of the parks department, we got most of the junk left by the Navy removed and disposed of. We have a lot more working room and storage for artifacts and exhibits. This was backbreaking work. Congratulations to the team for bringing this home. 
  • We have the climate under control in this building. It is always dry, probably for the first time in decades. Next, we deal with flaking paint. 
  • When we have events, the searchlight needs a different home. With the help of the parks department, we have a second indoor parking space in the south gun room of Smith. 
  • Fort Miles has effectively taken over all of Battery Smith. We have more space and the building is getting the tender loving care it needs. Nice work. 

Event support 

A few weddings have been held at our outdoor venue, including three back to back to back in October. These have all been very successful and were well-supported by our crew. Usually, the wedding team provides most of what is needed, but we are responsible for building support and maintenance. Before and after each event, the place is cleaned and organized. 

Fire Control Tower 3 

  • Our electrical crew ran a new power feed and installed a main panel inside the tower. Along with Bella Terra, the blue lights are up and operational again. 
  • Parks also installed a full height door, concrete entrance ramp, and sump pump to keep the tower dry during storms. We’re moving along nicely. 
  • Our crew has also started designing and fabricating replacement windows for the ground level windows and vertical slits at the balcony level. We’re doing what we can to make progress, so essential to maintain funding. Well done.