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Navy divers complete disposal of World War II-era bombs in Choctawhatchee Bay

6 World War II-era unexploded ordnance were safely disposed of through controlled detonations in Choctawhatchee Bay, with final operation canceled.
Source: Eglin Air Force Base

Navy divers completed the disposal of World War II-era unexploded ordnance (UXO) in Choctawhatchee Bay near Shalimar on Oct. 24, with the second day of operations canceled, Eglin Air Force Base officials announced.

  • The Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit Six from Panama City conducted the controlled detonations during the morning hours of Oct. 24. The operation scheduled for Oct. 25 was canceled.

The disposed ordnance were part of six 500-pound World War II-era UXOs discovered during routine investigations of the Bay Legacy Range. The operations continued a series of similar disposals in the area this year.

This week’s operation followed a February mission where Navy divers disposed of three World War II-era UXOs in the same bay. The earlier operation included two 250-pound bombs and one 1,000-pound bomb, which were discovered during an Air Force-funded routine remedial investigation near Shalimar, Florida.

During the operation, the U.S. Coast Guard Destin and the Okaloosa Sheriff’s office maintained a safety zone, keeping the area clear of vessels and water-based activities.

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