Bomb testing in Ocala National Forest

The Pinecastle Impact Range spans 5,698 acres of the Ocala National Forest and is the only location on the East Coast where the Navy trains with live bombs [Michael Warren].

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Posted September 6, 2023 | By Caroline Brauchler
caroline@ocalagazette.com

Residents may hear a little extra noise coming from the Ocala National Forest this week as the U.S. Navy conducts bomb testing at the Pinecastle Impact Range. But other than the noise, the only thing those near the range should be cautious about is wildlife that officials say may move around more frequently because of the disturbance.

“During bombing periods, wildlife may be temporarily displaced. Use extra caution when driving through the Ocala National Forest and surrounding areas. Secure any items around your residence that could attract wildlife. Always be mindful of larger animals including black bears,” noted a news release from Naval Air Station (NAS) Jacksonville.

Testing of live and inert, or inactive, bombs is occurring this week from Sept. 5-7, from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m. and 2:30 to 4 p.m. each day, according to the news release. Bomb testing happens relatively frequently at this site, which is the only place on the East Coast of the United States where the Navy trains with live bombs.

The use of the range differs from week to week. Navy and Marine Corps commands use the Pinecastle range to activate either practice bombs or live bombs to prepare for deployment, said Kaylee Larocque, NAS Jacksonville spokesperson, via email.

Over the past few months, bomb testing occurred from June 28-July 2, July 5-9, Aug. 1, Aug. 22-24 and Aug. 28-31.

Ocala has played a pivotal role in naval operations since the early 1940s, when the War Department acquired more than 40,500 acres of the forest for what was then called the Lake Bryant Bombing and Gunnery Range, according to NAS Jacksonville.

Through World War II, the U.S. Army Air Force Command used this range, as part of the Pinecastle Army Field and Orlando Army Air Base, for rocket missions, bombing practice, ground gunnery and firefighting.

In 1951, the Navy acquired a portion of the range, which has continuously been in operation ever since to help train military personnel.

Today, this unique portion of the Ocala National Forest is used as a training location so military pilots can get real-life training in a realistic environment.

“The Pinecastle Range is the only U.S. East Coast training facility authorized for the release of explosive air-to-surface ordnance, including close air support, an essential factor in air warfare training,” according to NAS Jacksonville.

Synthetic training, such as the use of simulators, is commonly used within the Navy for training. The Ocala National Forest offers a kind of training that cannot be simulated, however, and is instrumental for pilots who specialize in air strikes, according to NAS Jacksonville.

To file a noise complaint about the bombs, email nasjax.noisecomplaints@us.navy.mil. For more information about the Ocala National Forest, visit fs.usda.gov.