Wild scene from California’s Mugu State Beach where 70+ year old live explosive washed up on the sandy beach over the weekend.
Ventura County Sheriff’s Office Bomb Squad, the Sheriff’s Homeless Liaison Unit, and the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Unit from Naval Base Ventura County Point Mugu responded to assist State Parks Police and Life Guards after the 1950’s era military ordnance was discovered near Life Guard Tower 14.
Before this beautiful stretch of oceanfront became a public beach known by surfers for its hollow, fast, and powerful waves, it used as a training facility for the United States Military. As tides change and sands erode over time, it is not uncommon for old military ordnance to emerge on the public beach.
The Sheriff’s Bomb Squad and Navy EOD Unit examined the ordnance and determined the Super Bazooka round still contained live explosives. The round was determined to be too dangerous to transport. The beach and Pacific Coast Highway were momentarily closed down while the ordnance was disposed of in place.
The Super Bazooka round wasn’t the first and surely won’t be the last to turn up on this stretch of beach and Ventura County Sheriff’s Office Bomb Squad advises if you see something that looks like a bomb, to assume that it is and call 911 immediately:
“If you come across an item at the beach that looks like a bomb it is important to leave it in place, evacuate the area, and call 911. You will NOT be able to tell if the item is inert just by looking at it, no matter how rusted and deteriorated it may be. Stay safe Ventura County!”
