EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla., Feb. 12, 2024—Navy divers will dispose of unexploded World War II bombs with controlled underwater detonations in the Choctawhatchee Bay Wednesday.

Dive members from the Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit Six detachment in Panama City will perform the explosions between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.

A backup date for the disposal is Thursday if weather is bad Wednesday, there are people or water mammals in the area or other safety concerns are identified.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers environmental restoration contractors discovered two World War II-era explosives offshore at Eglin Air Force Base’s Bay Range in Shalimar near Two Georges Marina Jan. 15, and a third one Jan. 29 during an Air Force-funded routine remedial investigation of the Bay Legacy Range.

The plan is to dispose of the 80-year-old explosives—one 1,000-pound and two 250-pound bombs—the same day to minimize impact to the public.

The disposal will not require residential or commercial evacuations and there is no danger to the public.

People, vessels and water-based activities are required to remain clear of the safety zone during these mission times for safety purposes. The safety zone includes all navigable waters of the Choctawhatchee Bay within and up to a 2,050-yard radius of approximate position 30°25’52.57314”N, 86°35’08.49867”W, and a moving safety zone around any vessel involved with relocating unexploded ordnance.

Safety zones will be enforced during daylight hours Wednesday and, if required, during the backup date Thursday.

The U.S. Coast Guard Destin and Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office will have people in the area to prevent boaters from entering the safety zone.

“We have committed the required resources and conducted exhaustive planning efforts with our partner agencies to ensure the safe disposal,” said Col. Thomas Tauer, 96th Test Wing deputy commander.

The disposal mission is a coordinated effort between the 96th Civil Engineer Squadron, the Omaha District Military Munitions Design Center of the Corps of Engineers, the Air Force Civil Engineer Center, the Navy EOD Mobile Unit Six Detachment, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection Programs, the Coast Guard Destin, the OCSO and its Marine Unit, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

For more information, contact the 96th Test Wing Public Affairs office at (850) 882-3931.

96th Test Wing news release