Unexploded WWII-era bombs found in Florida bay will be detonated underwater

(Gray News) – Three undetonated World War II-era bombs are about to be set off underwater in a Florida bay, Air Force officials said.

Army Corps of Engineers environmental restoration contractors discovered the 80-year-old unexploded ordnance — two 250-pound bombs and a 1,000-pound bomb — last month at two offshore sites in Choctawhatchee Bay near Eglin Air Force Base, base officials said.

Divers from Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit Six from Panama City will be detonating the bombs Wednesday in the Florida Panhandle boy.

The controlled detonation may be delayed until Thursday if the weather is bad or if the presence of people, water mammals or other safety concerns prevent it, officials said.

Officials have established safety zones of an up to 2,050-yard radius of the offshore site to keep boaters out of danger, but people and businesses in the area won’t need to evacuate, base officials said.

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

People in the area are no strangers to the sounds of stuff being blown up by the military. The Navy School Explosive Ordnance Disposal is located at Eglin.

In addition, the MOAB, also called the “Mother Of All Bombs,” — the most powerful non-nuclear weapon in the nation’s arsenal — was first tested at Eglin.

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