Aircraft Were Participating In A Joint Exercise

Two U.S. Navy AV-8B Harrier aircraft participating in a training exercise off the coast of Australia were forced to jettison their ordinance over the Great Barrier Reef. Two of the bombs were explosive but disarmed when they were dropped. An additional two were inert.

The U.S. Navy said in a statement that the airplanes were forced to jettison their ordinance due to a fuel issue, according to a report from UPI. The statement read in part "The Harriers had intended to drop the ordnance in Townshend Island Range but controllers reported the area was not clear of hazards. Due to low fuel and inability to land with the amount of ordnance they were carrying, the on-scene commander determined it was necessary to designate an emergency jettison area for the ordnance."

An Australian Ministry of Defense said that the bombs pose a "minimal threat to the public, the marine environment or civilian shipping transiting the reef area. The incident is being investigated by the United States and findings will be provided to the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority so that the way ahead can be mutually agreed."

(Harrier pictured in file photo)

FMI: www.navy.mil