It *sounds* like the SF people were following procedures. It's been a while, but I recall a pamphlet called the Defense Disposal Manual which listed several methods of demilitarization before the item could be turned over to DRMO (formerly called PDO). Each NSN had a code (forget if it was letter or number), and this manual specified exactly how to demil certain items. Many items (e.g. empty ammo boxes) did not require any demil.
I agree this sounds odd, as maybe another military unit elsewhere could have used these excess (not necessarily obsolete) items. However, since this was Alaska, it's possible the cost of secure shipping and shortage of airlift made it more cost-effective to demil these on base. I would guess this decision was made at a higher level (item manager at Hill AFB?) than the SFS.
Maybe Chuck or the Army Ord Guy can provide more current info on demil policy.
Machinehead, you DO have a hard job! Maybe you could sign up for an Ophra Winfrey segment about severe mental anguish....
Here's the DRMS www site, and maybe someone with a lot of spare time can find the answer:
http://www.drms.dla.mil/index.html