UXO Site selected: Baker Target, FL
General Area: Macclenny, FL

Site Type/Program: FUDS

Location: The former Baker Target consisted of 640 acres located in Baker County, four miles southeast of Macclenny, Florida, and 25 miles west of Jacksonville in sections 11 through 14 of Township 3 south and Range 22 east. The latitude and longitude as stated in document F-1 of the ASR is 30° 14’ 50” and 82° 03’ 50”, respectively: document F-2 differs in that it indicates that the latitude is 30° 14’ 40”. The site is accessed by going south three miles on highway 228 from Macclenny and then going east through a locked gate maintained by Georgia Pacific Lumber. The access road runs through the site from south to north and just to the west of the bull’s-eye area.

Brief History: The former 640 acre Baker Target was leased from Cummer Line and Manufacturing Company, lease number Noy® 33235, constructed in early 1943, and utilized as a dive and glide practice bomb target for Navy flight trainees flying planes from Cecil Field through 1951/1952. The site came under the cognizance of Cecil Field. Higher headquarters was the Naval Air Advanced training Command and Jacksonville Naval Air Station. Documents indicate that the only bombs dropped on the site were Mk 5, Mk 19, Mk 23, and Mk 43 miniature practice bombs. The target consisted of three concentric circles made of limestone with radii of 100, 200, and 500 feet situated in the center of the square mile site. The center was located in section 12. A document dated 1 June 1948 indicates that the site lease would be canceled upon the activation of Camp Blanding Targets 1 and 2. A document dated 20 February 1950 shows Baker Target to be active. A listing of real estate controlled by NAS Jacksonville for 1952 does not list Baker Target. It is assumed that termination of the lease occurred sometime in 1951/1952.
Range / Site Description:

Associated Munitions:

Activities Completed: The draft Archives Search Report (ASR) for Baker Target was completed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, in December 1997.

Issues: The Huntsville Center Technical Advisory Group (TAG) reviewed this ASR on 20 May 98 and based on historical documentation that the site was used as a practice bombing range for miniature practice bombs only, the TAG agreed with the ASR recommended strategy of RAC 4, EE/CA. However, the probability of finding OE at this site seems remote because: (1) HNC safety states that the land was plowed, trees were planted and harvested, and tree debris was burned. (2) HNC safety states that during planting and harvesting of trees twice, no OE had been reported found. (3) The site survey team did not see any evidence of OE at the site. (4) No live OE has been reported since site closure. (5) The only energetic material in the practice bombs dropped at the site is the Mk 4 spotting signal, which is equivalent to a ten gage shotgun shell. (6) Bombs used were designed for reuse and most were likely recovered during the active period of military use. (7) Expended practice bombs and remnants were found in the past, but none have been found recently. (8) In planting of trees, plows dug to a depth of 18 to 24 inches and it is believed that any ordnance present would have surfaced years ago.

Other Information: EE/CA
If you have or know of any chanegs to the information posted about or want to donate additional images or reports on Baker Target, FL, please email UXOInfo.com at information@uxoinfo.com

Back To UXO Site Search Page
Back to UXO Site Inventory Search Page                        UXOInfo.com Home