EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. — Residents may experience noise when the 86th
Fighter Weapons Squadron conducts flight and boat operations in the Gulf of
Mexico eight to 20 miles South of Destin and in Choctawhatchee Bay Mar.
16-19. The operations are part of the 53rd Wing's Weapon System Evaluation
Program.
Fighter aircraft will release munitions in the morning between 8
a.m. and 1 p.m. approximately eight to 20 nautical miles out in the Gulf of
Mexico. The test will be conducted within a cordoned, cleared surface range
safety corridor. Notices to mariners will be issued prior to the missions
and flyers will be handed out at the local marina.
In the afternoon, around 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., approximately 30 boats
will be used as visual targets by fighter aircraft and helicopters flying
mid to low level altitudes. No weapons or ammunition will be involved in
the flights in the Choctawhatchee Bay. The boats, traveling in formation,
will transverse between the Mid-Bay Bridge and the Highway 331 Bridge and
also eight to 20 miles South of Destin in the Gulf of Mexico.
Please be advised some boat operators will be dressed in various
military uniforms and white costumes. They may carry rubber rifles, painted
in highly visible colors. Some boats will have simulated, fake deck guns
and rocket launcher tubes. The boats may use marine flares as visual
markers.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: You may hear loud noises next week. Here's why