Updated March 28, 2016: The Navy is at it again. Nothing really new under the spring sun: same ordnance, different day. The Navy will conduct live training bombing runs at the Pinecastle Range Complex, the bombing range in the Ocala National Forest all week, all day and much of the night.
This week’s live and inert bombing schedule is as follows:
- Monday: 10 a.m. to midnight.
- Tuesday: 10 a.m. to midnight.
- Wednesday: 10 a.m. to midnight.
- Thursday: 10 a.m. to midnight.
- Friday: Noon to midnight.
- Saturday: Noon to midnight.
- Sunday: 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The telephone number for noise complaints is 1-800-874-5059, Fleet Area Control and Surveillance Facility, Jacksonville, Fla. (Note: the Navy had originally published a slightly different schedule, which it subsequently amended to these hours.)
Read below for the original story from previous bombings, when the cold air and the winds were just right for the blast sounds, if not quite the waves, could make it to Palm Coast and Flagler County.
The Navy has been bombing Florida for some 70 years, starting in 1941. It’s been doing so by special permit from the National Forest Service on the unfenced 5,760 acres of the Pinecastle Impact Range in the 382,000-acre Ocala National Forest in Marion County.
The Navy’s site is about 45 to 50 miles from Palm Coast as the crow flies, but “depending on the temperature and the wind and the humidity, it will determine whether the sounds in the Ocala area make it over it,” says Troy Harper, Flagler County’s emergency operations chief.
And when the atmosphere is cooler, sound travels farther, as it has today.
The site is two miles west of State Road 19 and the Camp Ocala campgrounds, and half a mile west of the Farles Lakes campground. It includes nine targets, each designated for a particular type of ordinance. For example, the Live Ordinance Impact Area, consisting of large carcasses of vehicles, is for bombs of up to 500 pounds, live ammunition of up to 30 mm and rockets of up to five inches.
The “Main Bull” area has four concentric circles of from 300 to 1200 feet with bull’s eyes in the middle. There are also night-time bombing ranges, a surface-to-air missile target site, a strafing target, a target approximating the look of a convoy, and a laser target–a 50 foot by 50 foot billboard with a painted black crosshair, according to Globalsecurity.org.
Live and non-live fire training began on the range in late January as Navy F-18 fighters have been taking off from the USS George H. W. Bush, an aircraft carrier, and from Jacksonville Naval Air Station for pilots about to deploy to Afghanistan and Iraq.
The range is the only site on the East Coast where the Navy can drop live ordinance. According to globalsecurity.org, the Navy drops 20,000 bombs a year at the site, hundreds of which are live.
For additional information, call (904) 542-5588.
Originally published on Feb. 6, 2011.
Justice for All says
No problem when Florida was one of the least populated states in the Union. Now it all seems ridiculous.
lawabidingcitizen says
Navy training I can take, it’s the non-stop take offs from the Flagler Co. airport — circling the Flagler Beach bridge– and touch downs from before dawn until past midnight that, combined with the cacophonous music from bars and “entertainments,” make a mockery of the quiet enjoyment of our home.
Outsider says
The airport has been there since 1941’ish. When did you decide to move next to an active airport?
Will says
To – Lawabidingcitizen…
Suggestion. Take some time soon and promise yourself “I will not complain online for a week about anything’. It might give you some time to have some fun and lower your blood pressure.
The article above was about the Navy’s bombing range yet you chime in about the local airport and music from bars. I’m trying to be respectful of your opinions and to suggest alternative ways for you to let off steam. Maybe online blogs aren’t the best way for you to go. And, maybe on reflection, there might not be so much steam…
PC MAN says
Right on lawabidingcitizen, and can someone do something about that goddamn ocean, the constant waves noises are driving me mad.
Jack says
and shut those damn chirping birds up too…
John says
The picture shows a F/A-18C Hornet, not a Super Hornet. The Super Hornet F/A-18E/F are larger redesign versions of the F/A-18. As for the noise, sweet sound of freedom, a small price to pay.
BEEBob says
I’d rather hear the roar of F-18’s than those boring prop training planes from ERAU. I miss them after 26 years living on or near Navy bases and aircraft carriers.
Bon says
Just wait till tje depleted uranium trickles down your aquifier or covers your soil around your house.
I wonder if the Salt Springs folks glow in the dark?
There is a HUGE cancer cluster in SPutnam. No one is even whispering about.
Course they are not too smart there.
Rebecca Fiedler OShane via Facebook says
Yeah, i was going to get my daughter around 4:15 today and i heard something distant but scary from my house in Palm Coast. Maybe that explains it
Kendall Clark-StJacques via Facebook says
I thought I was hearing that…..
Fred Peterson via Facebook says
They are practicing to bomb Iran later this year
Sharon Taber via Facebook says
Thank you…was doing a search on it and found nothing. The rafters have been shaking all day! Came on to check my Facebook….and there you are, with my answer, the last entry on top of my wall. : )
Jennifer La Grande Lania via Facebook says
At last…thank you!! Now I’m not thinking I’m crazy :)
Anonymous says
To Bon: I’m an ex-Floridian, scanning down the comments to see if anyone would make the connection to DU. Then I saw your cautionary comment. I’m currently drinking irradiated Fukishima milk on the West Coast and loving it. But then I’m old and have already had a full life. Isn’t Oblivion a nice place?
Alicia Conway via Facebook says
it shakes my whole house
Eddie Cail via Facebook says
About an hour ago I heard two very impressive booms. :)
Linda says
They are always practicing, 24/7. You don’t get to be the finest Navy in the world without training. As John says, “It is the sound of freedom.”
Can anybody do something about the frogs in my lawn when it rains around here? Those little buggers are loud.
Justine Wintersmith via Facebook says
Glad it’s not just me–we just moved and I was wondering why the heck the house was shaking.
palmcoaster says
Thank you Flagler Live for this report…as we were wondering ourselves what was going on around our house, with all the rattling. As we are at war…well but how come we only heard this rambling today and some couple of times before only, since 1992 that we moved here?
PJ says
Just keep practicing, you never know when we need your service!!!!
Kip Durocher says
A kinda hippy group has a yearly long weekend get together in the Ocala
National Forest and the government always bombs 24/7 while they are there.
Done it every year for the Rainbow Family event ~ part of the “family values”
of the government to make them feel welcome.
Anonymous says
I wish my car audio system could hit lows like that…I like da BOOM!! Keep it comin’
Linda says
Might be like the Pizza delivery trucks when they show up at the Pentagon, late at night. Might mean something is going on.
Tilly says
No…That sound was all the ” extra big ” ladies working out in the PC gym. It can be confusing sometimes.
Jack Howell says
As a Marine, all I can say is that I love the smell of jet fuel in the morning!
some guy says
A kinda hippy group has a yearly long weekend get together in the Ocala
National Forest and the government always bombs 24/7 while they are there.
Done it every year for the Rainbow Family event ~ part of the “family values”
of the government to make them feel welcome.
Now if we could only do the same to yhe OWS useful idiots
bushhog252 says
It is a welcome sound The US NAVY are hands down the best pilots in the world. The crews that fly the aircraft must stay at the TOP of there game. I am happy to Know that i live 45 min from the home of a the ships and aircraft that will be defending our coast If things get bad and by the best of the best in the world let them do there thing we depend on them to protect our freedom God speed to the brave people that put there lives on the line for us. SO FLY NAVY FLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
JP says
No proplem with me…I support the military 100%……bombs away!
OldSeaDog says
GOD bless the US Navy for being ready by practice to defend the United States of America—
a land that our citizens should all love.
Dave Sullivan says
Pardon our noise it’s the sound of freedom. 10% of the entire economy
In Florida is dependent on the active duty military. No boom boom boom
and we may bust bust bust.
Rob says
Bombing something or someone is the sound of freedom??????
Mario says
I was never in the military, so have no fond memories of bombing anything. Regardless, why in the world are we spending our hard earned money on dropping 20,000 bombs a year on targets? It seems ridiculous in today’s technological age that we cannot train our military in a less intrusive manner. Now before all of the macho ego’s kick in and bash me for even considering such a proposition, isn’t it possible that the military could use some of its electronic toys for creating a virtual reality world where “real” munitions were not so necessary? I am sure we could all benefit from reducing military spending in any way possible. Thank you.
m&m says
Just like people who buy or build on a golf course and whine about the lawn mowers…
rhweir says
I would like to see the navy pick up all those pilings out on Lake George so it could once again be a useable recreation area for boaters. The way it is now, stay in the marked channels or risk the highly probable impaling and sinking of your boat on a stake or piling. Also, do they really need almost half the lake for a bombing range in 2013? Do that out in the ocean.
Georgetown Resident says
To Bon:
Where do I find the data supporting a cancer epidemic in South Putnam? And yes, we are edumacated over here too.
Randy Robinson says
The bombing doesn’t bother me I laugh…….. not really, it sounds like somebody kicking the front wall of my house. I live in Belleview on top of the first hill. for some reason that Thump comes right thru here. And the weird thing is when we dive over to Lake Diamond, which is 10 miles closer to the bombing range, you can’t hear it. Very weird…. anyways.
I’d like to Thank the Navy for the reminding me they are still on the job ;-) Go Navy even tho all my Family was/is Air Force or Army.
Clif says
The hypocrisy of our government knows no bounds. It sets aside huge areas of land to preserve, and protect its beauty, and unique environment (from the citizens only). Then it bombs a big chunk of it into oblivion for seven decades without so much as an environmental impact study. Representative republic my butt. This government only represents its own interests, as separate from ours.
Randy Robinson says
UPDATE
Jan 6 2016 the Bombing resumed It wasn’t bothering too much but now it sounds louder than it was in December 2015. We hear the thump coming up thru the floor in one spot in the center of the living room. If you stand on the spot you can actually feel the thump like somebody is hitting the floor from underneath with a 5 lb hammer. Whats weird is you can’t feel in the floor in any of the other room. If you have ever had workmen thumping around in the attic it is a similar thump. 5 seconds after the Thump I can hear a lesser secondary thump. Maybe that’s an echo. If you go outside you can’t hear it… how is that possible? I hope its not coming up thru the Aquifer. That would be the shits if I get a geyser in my living room ever time they bomb. Any Geologists out there? The Bombing range is 58 miles east of my house.
confidential says
I had a good laugh with some comments above.
Should we be concerned about potential sinkholes opening as they swallow residents and all to never be found? I believe in Florida we live in a crust over our aquifer… If not for this, I welcome the Navy training as they got to do it somewhere…I guess.
Leo says
I have lived in the Ocala National Forest for about 35 years and have heard the jets thousands of times but have never heard a sonic boom or the sound of bombs exploding and I live within the Flight restricted area. The those who complain about the noise or the noise from Airports- Chances are the airport was there long before your house was built. The house was built there because the land was cheap and you bought it because it was a “good”deal! You have no right to try to change what was there before you were. The same applies to immigrants and yankees that come here and then complain because it is not like it was where you left!
Dave says
The military has been practicing bombing at that range since the early 1940’s. Not a big deal.
Rich Mikola says
As a former Marine Corps Forward Air Controller, it’s music to my ears!
Super Sailor says
You guys are really complaining about a little ordinance explosion? That’s the sweet sound of freedom! Lol. Try living next to the flight line, yall couldn’t cut it. Have fun down in the sun, FL. Don’t buy a house near a bombing range if you can’t handle it. Our county made us sign noise disclosures before buying. They didn’t make you?
Love,
A Floridian Sailor in the Pacific NW.
r&r says
If you have a house that the windows rattle you better get new windows or move.
Super Sailor says
It happens when you have EA18-Gs flying over head blasting their afterburners.
JT says
No one has mentioned how they would feel or react if it were other than the US MILITARY in the air over your precious homes, disturbing your afternoon nap. You should be thankful for the sacrifices our military personnel make daily, putting their lives on the line to protect you and provide the liberties and freedoms you enjoy everyday. Most of you expect and enjoy and think freedom is your right, but in no way have earned.
Geezer says
Funny how most Americans equate freedom with killing.
Leroy says
Visiting Florida for a month and though I was aware of the bombing ranges, it took me by surprise this a.m. While fishing on Blue Springs Run off of St. John’s River, the first blast did scare the bejesus out of us. While trying to figure out the blast noise, a gator in the weeds next to our boat suddenly raised his head and literally sounded like mooing cow. Guess he was not happy and reacted the same to the following two blasts. Sorry to hear this will continue for the week. Price of freedom I suppose.
Sidewinder says
IS THIS A GREAT COUNTRY OR WHAT? The sound of combat jets and live ordnance are a wonderful thing to hear,” these sounds of freedom”.. 23 Year Navy Jet vet..
Veteran says
26 year Navy vet here. They are practicing so when so when the real thing happens they don’t miss. Wish I lived closer so I could hear and feel it!
Dave says
Well said Dave
” Pardon our noise it’s the sound of freedom.””
Oldseadog says
“To be prepared for war is one of the most effective means of preserving peace.”
— George Washington (1732-1799)
(Geeze—perhaps one of our first politicians and such have been going down in common sense and
leadership ever since!)
THE VOICE OF REASON says
Furthermore, PC Man, somebody should teach the birds the damn lyrics!
Joey says
The only explosions I hear are the ones I make in the commode. Music to my ears!
Geezer says
Beans and stuffed cabbage, anyone?
Deanna says
I thought it was thunder yesterday then today I pulled this article up I live n Astor by the St John’s bridge and my house has been shaking my grandkids asked me what that noise was and I told them that it’s our protector’s and that they was practicing to keep us safe and I also told them that little children their age hears these sounds daily and live in fear an how lucky we are to only hear practice sounds I’m loving every minute of it and even asked the children if they wanted to go to flager Beach and watch our amazing men that sign on a fitted line to die for strangers ….our military men don’t know me n my little family but they are willing to protect me and lose their life ,to me what better person besides Jesus could walk the earth I thank all of you from the buttom of my heart and u can boom my house anyday cause it’s sound of my freedom and the reminder of the comentment you have made for us …I love u all
deanna says
Music to my ears….freedom
Scott says
Did Geezer actually say “Funny how most Americans equate freedom with killing.”? And just how do you think the rest of the world protects their territories and/or others? When negotiations fail (OH…and they DO) then tactics a little beyond hard-core tickling must come into play. So no, it’s not FUNNY, Geezer; especially when you consider Americans have suffered a ton of casualties ourselves in the never-ending fight to remain free. Go Navy…Go American Armed Forces. Fly, Fight, Win! We thank you all for your service!
Oh and to all those complaining about the noise…invest in some high-quality, noise-cancelling headphones and enjoy your favorite tunes during those times. Charlie Daniel’s “In America” is a good song to start with.
patricia montello says
my god does my home rumble windows shake so I actually get scared I am 66 .I life on the edge of Ocala national forest it is really getting bad
Palatka says
The blast can be felt as far up as palatka , hard enough to rattle windows.
Anonymous says
Bomb in Nevada or somewhere in the desert where there is lots of room! And does anyone care about little children’s sleep? Some of the comment’s above are so ignorant, talking about an earlier time, when Florida was the less popular state, so that means we can keep destroying and polluting and keep Florida at risk, not only for wildlife but maybe people fighting disease and could cause cancer. God bless the future generation of America!
CM says
Ormond Bleach. Got new windows. They still rattle along with the glass doors. That’s okay as long as there is no damage from repeated impacts.