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 Bombing Range #73 project, which is part of the former Mojave Gunnery Range “C” FUDS.
The Bombing Range #73 project encompasses 2,906 acres and is located in the western portion of the Mojave Gunnery Range “C” FUDS. The U.S. Navy and Marine Corps used the project area between 1944 and 1951 for bombing and other air-to-ground training. Today, the project area is owned by the Bureau of Land Management, Kern County and private owners. A portion of the property owned by a private company is fenced and monitored. The remaining property consists of open land, which is used for off-highway vehicle recreation, target practice and seasonal sheep grazing.
The Corps of Engineers began investigating the former Mojave Gunnery Range “C” FUDS, including the Bombing Range #73 project, in 1999. During the Corps of Engineers’ site visits, munitions and explosives of concern and munitions debris from the following items were 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 Bombing Range #73 project area. The Corps of Engineers continues to investigate Bombing Range #73 and is preparing a Decision Document that will record the selected remedial alternative.
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.