Mojave Gunnery Range “C” is located east of Mojave, California, and overlaps the southwestern corner of California City. The Corps of Engineers is investigating and monitoring the former training area through the Formerly Used Defense Sites, or FUDS, Program for munitions and explosive hazards that may remain from previous military activity. This page provides information on the APA Areas E, E1 and E2 project, which is part of the former Mojave Gunnery Range “C” FUDS.
The APA Areas E, E1 and E2 project encompasses approximately 177 acres and is located in the northeastern portion of Mojave Gunnery Range “C” FUDS. The U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps used the project area for bombing and other air-to-ground training between 1944 and 1951. Today, most of the land is privately owned, but Kern County owns a small portion. The land is largely undeveloped, which allows residents access for off-highway vehicle recreation, target practice and seasonal sheep grazing.
The Corps of Engineers began investigating the former Mojave Gunnery Range “C” FUDS in 1999; however, the APA Areas E, E1 and E2 project was not identified until an aerial photo analysis was performed in 2007. During the Corps of Engineers’ site visits, munitions debris from the following items was identified: small arms ammunition, practice projectiles, practice rockets, practice bombs and high explosive bombs.
In the 2013 Proposed Plan for Mojave Gunnery Range “C,” the Corps of Engineers recommended a surface removal of munitions items and that an educational outreach program be conducted to further protect future users of the former APA Areas E, E1 and E2 project area. The Corps of Engineers continues to investigate the APA E, E1 and E2 and is preparing a Decision Document that will record the selected remedial alternative for this project.
An Administrative Record containing project documents and reports for Mojave Gunnery Range “C” is available at the Kern County Library, California City Branch, and at the Corps of Engineers, Los Angeles District office.