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Highlands Today

Navy Bombing Plans At AP Suspended

DUE TO BUDGETARY ISSUES

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By Joe  Seelig | Highlands Today

Published: January 15, 2009

AVON PARK - The U.S. Navy has indefinitely suspended its plans to use live bombs at the Avon Park Air Force Range, due to budgetary issues, according to Lt. Cmdr. Philip Rosi, public relations officer for the U.S. Fleet Forces Command.

As a result of its worldwide operational tempo and reductions in its training budget, the Navy has been forced to reconsider its live ordinance range development options at Avon Park, said Rosi on Thursday.

"The efforts we have to complete – range and ground target preparations will continue," Rosi said. "We're not able to predict what our operational timeline will be at this time. But, installation of support instrumentation and the hire of annual operations personal have been suspended until such a time as our operational budgetary conditions improve."

Preparation work at the range should begin in the next few months, such as building needed roads, erecting fencing, target area clearance and target preparation.

The Navy's next budget cycle for 2010 begins on Oct. 1, 2009.

Check back for updates

Highlands Today reporter Joe Seelig can be reached at (863) 386-5834 of jseelig@highlandstoday.com

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