Destin, Florida – Testing activity is scheduled to take place in the Gulf this month as Eglin Air Force Base prepares to carry out a series of munitions exercises off the Florida Panhandle. Officials with Team Eglin announced that the operations will run from March 10 through March 18, with testing planned daily between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.
The activity will occur in a designated area of the Gulf beginning roughly two nautical miles south of the Destin East Pass and extending about 18 nautical miles outward. The testing zone also stretches along the coastline toward Santa Rosa Island. During the scheduled timeframes, vessels are required to stay clear of the active hazard area while the exercises are underway.
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According to the base, people along the coast may notice visible signs of the testing. High smoke plumes could appear in the distance during the operations, particularly from vantage points near the Destin East Pass and along stretches of shoreline reaching toward Tarpon Springs. Officials say these visual effects are expected during the munitions testing window.
To help ensure safety on the water, advisories and notices to mariners will be issued throughout the testing period. Broadcasts will be transmitted over marine radio Channel 16 as well as the HF upper sideband frequency of 2182 KHZ. These updates will be delivered by the Eglin Joint Test and Training Operations Control Center, which oversees the coordination of the activities.
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The exercises are part of ongoing training and testing conducted by units associated with Eglin Air Force Base. Participating organizations include the 53rd Wing, the 350th Spectrum Warfare Wing, the 33rd Fighter Wing, the 7th Special Forces Group, and the Air Force Medical Service’s 96th Medical Group at Eglin.
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Officials emphasize that mariners should remain aware of the testing schedule and avoid the restricted area while the operations are in progress. Keeping vessels outside the hazard zone helps ensure the safety of both the public and the personnel involved in the testing activities.
