Residents may experience noise when the 96th Operations Group conducts boat operations in Choctawhatchee Bay and the Gulf of Mexico Feb. 13 and again Feb. 18-21.
The operations are part of the 53rd Wing’s Weapon System Evaluation Program, or WSEP. Fighter aircraft will release munitions in the morning around 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. about 20 nautical miles out in the Gulf.
In the afternoon around 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. approximately 30 boats will be used by A-10s and F-15s as visual targets; no weapons or ammunition will be involved in the testing.
The boats will transverse between the Mid-Bay Bridge and the Highway 331 Bridge or 5 to 20 miles South of Destin in the Gulf of Mexico.
Please be advised the 30 boat operators will be dressed in various military uniforms and white costumes.
They will carry simulated, rubber rifles, painted in high visible colors which will be kept out of view when transiting to/from the mission area (i.e. passing under bridges, in/through harbors). Some boats will have mock-up, fake deck guns and rocket launcher tubes.
The test will be conducted within a cordoned range safety corridor, notices to mariners will be issued prior to the missions, and flyers will be handed out at the local marina.
