Bombs dropped on Great Barrier Reef marine park
Two US fighter jets have dropped four unarmed bombs in Australia's Great Barrier Reef marine park after a training exercise went wrong.
The two AV-8B Harrier jets launched from aircraft carrier USS Bonhomme Richard each jettisoned an inert bomb and an unarmed explosive bomb in the World Heritage-listed marine park off the coast of Queensland state on Tuesday, the US 7th Fleet said in a statement on Saturday.
The four bombs were dropped in more than 50 metres (164ft) of water away from coral to minimise possible damage to the reef, the statement said. None exploded.
The jets from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit had intended to drop the ordnances on the Townshend Island bombing range but aborted the mission when controllers reported the area was not clear of hazards.
http://m.guardian.co.uk/environment/2013/jul/21/bombs-dropped-great-barrier-reef
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