The Border Field State Park Formerly Used Defense Site, or FUDS, is located in San Diego County, within the city of Imperial Beach, California. The Corps of Engineers is investigating and monitoring the former training area through the FUDS Program for munitions and explosive hazards that may remain from previous military activity. This page provides information on the Demonstration Bombing Target, which is part of the Border Field State Park FUDS.
The Demonstration Bombing Target was part of an auxiliary aviation field of the San Diego Naval Air Station from 1930 to 1946 and was used as a miniature practice bomb target. The former target is located on the eastern boundary of the Border Field State Park FUDS and encompasses 72 acres. Munitions associated with the Demonstration Bombing Target include practice bombs and spotting charges. Historical records indicate that miniature practice bombs were dropped on a target located in an open area near the center of the Demonstration Bombing Target. The Corps of Engineers conducted site visits in 2003 and 2007, but the field team did not observe any evidence of munitions or munitions debris. However, approximately 5 to 7 feet of soil deposition overlay much of the area during the Site Inspection field work, which may have prevented the field team from observing any potential munitions debris.
The Demonstration Bombing Target is located in the Tijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve and Border Field State Park, south of the Tijuana Slough National Wildlife Refuge. The Tijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve is cooperatively managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the California Department of Parks and Recreation. The area preserves, protects and manages the natural and cultural resources of the Tijuana River Estuary. Border Field State Park is located within the Tijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve, where visitors enjoy recreational activities such as hiking, horseback riding, bird watching and picnicking.
Plans for future land use at the Demonstration Bombing Target area include a new fence along the international border between the U.S. and Mexico (south of the Border Field State Park), which has been scheduled for installation.
The Corps of Engineers continues to investigate the Demonstration Bombing Target to determine if additional clearance activities are required.