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US drops unarmed bombs on Great Barrier Reef

 

 

 ROD McGUIRK, AP

 

CANBERRA, Australia (AP) — Two U.S. fighter jets dropped four unarmed bombs into Australia's Great Barrier Reef Marine Park last week when a training exercise went wrong, the U.S. Navy said, angering environmentalists.

The two AV-8B Harrier jets launched from the amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard each jettisoned an inert practice bomb and an unarmed laser-guided explosive bomb into the World Heritage-listed marine park off the coast of Queensland state on Tuesday, the U.S. 7th Fleet said in a statement Saturday.
The Great Barrier Reef, the world's largest network of coral structures, is rich in marine life and stretches more than 3,000 kilometers (1,800 miles) along Australia's northeast coast.
Commander William Marks, spokesman for the 7th Fleet, said the emergency jettison was made in consultation with Australian officials.
"There is minimal environmental impact," Marks told Australian Broadcasting Corp. radio on Monday. "It is a safe situation for the environment, for shipping, for navigation."full story