Mojave Gunnery Range “C” is in Kern County, California, and most of the property lies within the California City limits. The Army Corps of Engineers is 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 Range #73 project, which is also known as Munitions Response Site 05, or MRS 05.
MRS 05 encompasses 2,906 acres and is located in the western portion of the Mojave Gunnery Range “C” FUDS. The U.S. Navy and Marine Corps used the project area between 1944 and 1951 for bombing and other air-to-ground training. Today, the project area is owned by the Bureau of Land Management, Kern County and private owners. A portion of the property owned by a private company is fenced and monitored. The remaining property consists of open land, which is used for off-highway vehicle recreation, target practice and seasonal sheep grazing.
The Army Corps of Engineers began investigating the former Mojave Gunnery Range “C” FUDS, including the MRS 05, in 1999. Munitions and explosives of concern and munitions debris from the following items were identified: small arms ammunition, practice projectiles, practice rockets, practice bombs and high explosive bombs.
In June 2018, the Army Corps of Engineers finalized the MRS 05 Decision Document, which records the selected remedial alternative as Removal of Department of Defense Military Munitions from the Surface with Institutional Controls to Protect Current and Future Site Users.
An Administrative Record containing project documents and reports for Mojave Gunnery Range “C” is available at the Kern County Library, California City Branch, 9507 California City Blvd., and at the Army Corps of Engineers, Los Angeles District office.