Divers from Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit Six will dispose of six unexploded ordnance (UXO) in Choctawhatchee Bay on Oct. 24 and 25, Eglin Air Force Base officials announced. This operation follows a similar disposal earlier this year.
- The disposal operations will take place between 7 a.m. and noon each day. The plan involves controlled detonations of the 80-year-old UXOs in their current locations.
The six 500-pound World War II-era UXOs were discovered during ongoing routine investigations of the Bay Legacy Range, according to Eglin officials.
This is not the first such operation in the area this year. In February, Navy divers disposed of three World War II-era UXOs found in the same bay.
- That operation included two 250-pound bombs and one 1000-pound bomb, which were discovered during an Air Force-funded routine remedial investigation of the Bay Legacy Range near Shalimar, Florida.
For safety reasons, no person or vessel may enter, transit through, or remain in an area within a 1,500-foot radius of approximate position 30° 25’ 38.1″ N, 86° 33’ 32.5” W unless authorized by the COTP or a designated representative. The U.S. Coast Guard Destin and the Okaloosa Sheriff’s office will be present in the area to enforce the safety zone.
- Additionally, a no-swimmer or diver zone will be enforced within a 5,000-foot radius. Each zone will remain in effect until the ordnance operations are complete.
Eglin Air Force Base directs the public to consult the Marine Safety Information Bulletin for more details about the safety zone. The bulletin can be accessed at https://homeport.uscg.mil/port-directory/mobile.
For additional information, the public is encouraged to contact the Eglin Public Affairs office at (850) 882-3931.
