KALAELOA — The military is conducting a criminal investigation into allegations that vehicles of deployed soldiers have been damaged or stolen while stored at a Kalaeloa facility under contract to a Troy, Ala., company.

Troy Griffin, public affairs officer for U.S. Army Garrison Hawaii, confirmed yesterday that some vehicles were found to be damaged or missing interior equipment such as radios when they were inspected last week by Army officials and The Pasha Group, which is taking over the storage contract for 729 vehicles from SWR, the previous contractor.

"(The) Criminal Investigation Division is investigating allegations of damages and missing equipment, but it would be premature to speculate on any legal action that may be taken," Griffin said.

SWR officials could not be reached for comment.

Alabama-based SWR, a nationally known logistics support contractor, was awarded a contract in June 2006 for about $800,000 to house and service the vehicles, which are owned by Schofield soldiers who deployed to Iraq last summer. SWR's contract expired Feb. 28.

The Pasha Group has transferred the vehicles to its secured site on a runway at Kalaeloa.

Of the the initial 600 cars moved by Pasha, about 90 were found to have problems and are being investigated.

Terri Mroz, general manager of Pasha's Hawai'i storage operations, declined comment on the conditions of the vehicles from SWR's lot.

SWR's site was on a gravel lot on Nassau Avenue. Vehicles were stored under a series of canvas tents resembling a row of houses covered for termite treatment. The contract called for cars to be serviced twice a month and for the company to provide 24/7 security.

Army civilian officials and Pasha employees yesterday transferred the remaining 90 vehicles out of the SWR site.

Reach Rod Ohira at rohira@honoluluadvertiser.com.