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 Target project, which is part of the Mojave Gunnery Range “C” FUDS.
The Bombing Target project consists of a circular target and buffer zone that encompass 828 acres in the north-central portion of the former Mojave Gunnery Range “C” training area. The U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps used the former target, which simulated a convoy of tanks and other vehicles, for bombing and other air-to-ground training from 1944 to 1951.
The Corps of Engineers began investigating the former Mojave Gunnery Range “C” FUDS, including the Bombing Target, in 1999. During Corps of Engineers’ site visits, vehicle debris was identified indicating the project’s former use as a convoy target. Munitions and explosives of concern and munitions debris from small arms ammunition, practice projectiles, practice rockets, practice bombs and high explosive bombs were also identified at the bombing target.
In the 2013 Proposed Plan for Mojave Gunnery Range “C,” the Corps of Engineers recommended a surface and subsurface removal of munitions items and that an educational outreach program be conducted to further protect future users of the former Bombing Target project area. The Corps of Engineers continues to investigate the Bombing Target 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.