An Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Team from McGuire Air Force Base will be conducting range clearance operations at the Warren Grove Range, Warren Grove, N.J.   from May 23 - 27.

      During the course of this range clearance activity, members of the EOD team will recover practice bombs and other “dummy” munitions that have been used for simulated weapons training in the past year and dispose of any damaged dummy units that might still contain a spotting charge (a very small, non-lethal amount of explosive material that “marks” where the dummy weapons land.)  The EOD team will dispose of any damaged “dummy” units by first placing them in a safety pit and then detonating them with a small explosive charge.

      Depending on cloud levels, wind direction, and other meteorological influences, area residents may hear small explosions during this procedure.   THIS IS NOTHING TO BE ALARMED ABOUT.  Local police departments throughout the surrounding communities will be alerted as to when the detonations are expected to occur.  EOD team technicians will monitor weather, wind, and other factors in order to minimize any noise created by the clearance operations.

It is important to note simulated weapons training activity at Warren Grove does not involve the use of "live" bombs.  The range is strictly limited to the use of practice or “dummy” bombs only.  Occasionally, these practice bombs are damaged after being deployed and the small spotting charge does not detonate.  The EOD personnel are expert in the proper collection and safe disposal of these devices.  This regularly scheduled clearance e activity ensures safe range operations and helps guarantee that military ground personnel, hunters, and other range visitors will not be at risk from an accidental encounter with dummy ordnance that still has an unexploded spotting charge.  The professional staff at Warren Grove Weapons Range is committed to maintaining the highest possible environmental and safety standards as well as providing our military personnel with the best possible training range.  As part of this commitment, range clearance operations are conducted once a year.