US jets dropped bombs on Great Barrier Reef

[Studeo]

US fighter jets dropped inert bombs on the Great Barrier Reef off Australia's coast during a training exercise that went wrong, it has emerged.

The two planes jettisoned four bombs in more than 50m (165 ft) of water, away from coral, to minimise damage to the World Heritage Site, the US navy said.

The jets had intended to drop at a bombing range on a nearby island, but Tuesday's mission was aborted.

Phil Mercer reports.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-23398165

[Ellisa]

There's a double post here, as it is also being discussed on the Pine Gap post.

What can I say? WHOOPS!

[Positive Vibe Merchant]

Mods, could we please merge?

[Lifebringer]

Somebody told 'em to set them down, turn theirselves in, or get blown to smitherines?

[witchy1]

Apparently they could not find the drop zone despite several attempts, so after running low on fuel, needed to land and cant do that with bombs on board and had to ditch them!

Are they really that dumb that they drop them in a world conservation area? (Im thinking they did it on purpose given if they flew 5 mins the other way would have been not conservation area)
Why practise with the real thing anyway?

http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/us-marine-harrier-jets-forced-to-drop-unarmed-bombs-on-heritagelisted-great-barrier-reef/story-fnihsrf2-1226682408899

What a crock of sh*t. Odds on they willl threaten to remotely detonate them if Australia doesn't behave and conform.

Just thinking out loud

[MargueriteBee]

None of the devices exploded.