I04GA004401_01.09_0500_p.pdf

Defense Environmental Restoration Program For

Formerly Used Defense Sites

ABBREVIATED PRELIMINARY

ASSESSMENT

Homerville Bombing and

Gunnery Range

Homerville, GA FUDS Property Number – I04GA0044

FINAL – September 2012

Prepared by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Louis District for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Savannah District and U.S. Army Engineering and Support Center, Huntsville

Homerville Bombing and Gunnery Range

Abbreviated Preliminary Assessment

Table of Contents i

ABBREVIATED PRELIMINARY ASSESSMENT

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page Number

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ES-1

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS a

1 INTRODUCTION

1.1 AUTHORITY

1.1.1 Laws

1.1.2 Military Munitions Response Program

1.1.3 Abbreviated Preliminary Assessment

1.2 SUBJECT

1.3 PURPOSE

1.4 SCOPE

2 PREVIOUS INVESTIGATIONS

2.1 CORPS OF ENGINEERS INVESTIGATIONS

2.2 OTHER INVESTIGATIONS

3 PROPERTY DESCRIPTION, ACREAGE AND LAND USE

3.1 LOCATION

3.2 FUDS ELIGIBILITY PROPERTY

3.2.1 Confirmed FUDS

3.2.2 Additional Areas of Use or Impact

3.2.3 Potential FUDS

3.2.3.1 Range Fan Safety Buffers

3.2.3.2 Naval Aerial Gunnery Range at Okefenokee NWR

3.3 LAND USE AND OWNERSHIP HISTORY

3.3.1 Prior Land Use

3.3.2 Current Land Use and Ownership

3.3.3 Condition of Facilities Constructed for the Military

4 HISTORICAL PROPERTY SUMMARY

4.1 CHRONOLOGICAL PROPERTY SUMMARY

4.1.1 General Property History

4.2 MILITARY OPERATIONS

4.2.1 Operations Involving Military Munitions

4.2.1.1 Summary of Range Activities

4.2.1.2 Dive Bombing Range

4.2.1.3 Air to Ground Gunnery Range and Ground Strafing Course

4.2.1.4 Skip Bombing Range

4.2.1.5 Rifle Range

ii

4.2.1.6 Pistol Range

4.2.1.7 Submachine Gun Range (north)

4.2.1.8 Submachine Gun Range (east)

4.2.1.9 Summary of CW Activities

4.2.1.9.1 Chemical Spray Range

4.2.1.10 Range Clearance Operations and Certificates of Clearance

4.2.1.11 EOD Incidents

4.3 MAP ANALYSIS

4.4 AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHIC INTERPRETATION

4.4.1 27 February 1953 Imagery (see Figure 22 & Plate 3)

4.4.2 2010 Imagery (see Figure 23 & Plate 4)

5 EVALUATION OF PRESENCE OF MILITARY MUNITIONS AND

TECHNICAL DATA

5.1 GENERAL EVALUATION OF CONVENTIONAL MUNITIONS PRESENCE

5.1.1 Evaluation of Munitions Presence

5.1.2 Conventional Munitions Technical Data

5.2 GENERAL EVALUATION OF CWM PRESENCE

5.2.1 Evaluation of CWM Presence

5.2.2 CWM Technical Data

5.3 GENERAL EVALUATION OF MC PRESENCE

5.3.1 Conventional Munitions Constituents

5.3.2 CWM Constituents

5.4 PROPERTY-SPECIFIC LOCATIONS

5.4.1 Range Layout Criteria

5.4.1.1 Rifle Range (KD)

5.4.1.2 Small Bore or Pistol Range

5.4.1.3 Sub Machine Gun (aka Tommy Gun Range)

5.4.1.4 Bombing Target, Practice

5.4.1.5 Rocket, Air to Ground

5.4.1.6 Air to Ground Gunnery

5.4.2 Bombing/Rocket Range

5.4.3 Small Arms Range

5.4.4 Skip Bombing Range

5.4.5 Aerial Ground Gunnery/Rocket Range

6 SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS

6.1 POTENTIAL HAZARDS THAT MAY WARRANT FUDS PROJECTS

6.1.1 MMRP

6.1.2 CWM

6.1.3 HTRW

6.2 AREAS THAT MAY WARRANT NO FURTHER ACTION BY DOD

iii

APPENDICES

A REFERENCE SOURCES AND RECORDS REVIEWED ............................... A-1

A.1 TEXTUAL AND CARTOGRAPHIC REPOSITORIES ........................................... A-1 A.1.1 Air Force Historical Research Agency (USAFHRA) .............................. A-1 A.1.2 National Archives I .................................................................................. A-2 A.1.3 National Archives at College Park, Textual Records .............................. A-2 A.1.4 National Archives, Cartographic and Architectural Branch .................. A-4 A.1.5 National Archives at College Park, Still Pictures Branch ...................... A-5 A.1.6 National Archives at College Park - Motion Picture, Sound and Video Reference ....................................................................................... A-5 A.1.7 National Archives and Records Administration, Southwest Region (NARA-Fort Worth) ................................................................................ A-5 A.1.8 National Archives and Records Administration, Southeast Region (NARA-Atlanta) ...................................................................................... A-6 A.1.9 National Personnel Records Center Military Personnel Records (NPRC, MPR) ......................................................................................... A-7 A.1.10 U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command (RDECOM) Historical Office .................................................................. A-7 A.1.11 Washington National Records Center....................................................... A-7

A.2 AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY REPOSITORIES ....................................................... A-7 A.2.1 National Archives at College Park, Cartographic & Architectural Branch ..................................................................................................... A-8 A.2.2 U.S. Geological Survey - EROS Data Center ......................................... A-9 A.2.3 U.S. Department of Agriculture - Aerial Photography Field Office ..... A-13

B REFERENCES

C ABBREVIATIONS, ACRONYMS AND BREVITY CODES

D GLOSSARY

E PRELIMINARY ASSESSMENT FORM

F ORDNANCE TECHNICAL DATA SHEETS

G TEXTUAL REFERENCES OF SOURCE DOCUMENTS

H STILL PHOTOGRAPH REFERENCES (Not Used)

I MAPS/DRAWINGS REFERENCES

iv

APPENDICES (Continued)

J INTERVIEWS (Not Used)

K ABBREVIATED SITE SAFETY AND HEALTH PLAN (ASSHP)

L PROPERTY VISIT REPORT

M PROPERTY VISIT PHOTOGRAPHS

N MUNITIONS RESPONSE SITE PRIORITIZATION PROTOCOL

(Not Completed)

O TAG REVIEW FACT SHEET (Not Used)

P RESPONSE TO COMMENTS (Final Report Only)

Q REPORT DISTRIBUTION

R REPORT PLATES

1 Homerville Bombing and Gunnery Range – Vicinity Map 2 Homerville Bombing and Gunnery Range – Property Map 3 Homerville Bombing and Gunnery Range – Aerial Photo 1953 4 Homerville Bombing and Gunnery Range – Aerial Photo 2010 5 Homerville Bombing and Gunnery Range – Historic Ranges and Potential MRS 6 Homerville Bombing and Gunnery Range – Bombing/Rocket Range 7 Homerville Bombing and Gunnery Range – Small Arms Range 8 Homerville Bombing and Gunnery Range – Skip Bombing Range 9 Homerville Bombing and Gunnery Range – Aerial Ground Gunnery Range

TABLE OF FIGURES

Figure 1 – Vicinity Map – 25 June 2009 Figure 2 – Dive Bombing Target – 24 September 1943 Figure 3 – Dive Bombing / Rocket Range – 11 November 1945 Figure 4 – Strafing Range and Aerial Ground Gunnery/Rocket Range Layout Plan – 11 November 1945 Figure 5 –1953 Aerial Photo showing Aerial Ground Gunnery Range with Rocket Targets Figure 6 – Skip Bombing Range – 11 November 1945 Figure 7 – Rifle Range Layout Plan – 11 November 1945 Figure 8 – Pistol Range – 11 November 1945 Figure 9 – Submachine Gun Ranges North and East – 11 November 1945 v

TABLE OF FIGURES (Continued)

Figure 10 – Sectional Aeronautical Chart Jacksonville – 21 January 1943 Figure 11 – Sectional Aeronautical Chart Jacksonville – 22 July 1943 Figure 12 – U.S. Army / U.S. Navy Danger Areas Figure 13 – Waycross BGR Map – 24 September 1943 Figure 14 – Military Activities in the Fourth Service Command – 1943 ca Figure 15 –Sectional Aeronautical Chart Jacksonville – 1 February 1945 Figure 16 – Army Air Forces Bombing and Gunnery Ranges – 1 May 1945 Figure 17 – Sectional Aeronautical Chart Jacksonville – 5 February 1946 Figure 18 – Sectional Aeronautical Chart Jacksonville – 11 August 1946 Figure 19 – Homerville Bombing and Gunnery Range Layout Plan – 11 June 1946 revised circa 1950 Figure 20 – Homerville Bombing and Gunnery Range Layout Plan – 11 June 1946, revised circa 1950 Figure 21 – Real Estate Map– 26 February 1945, revised circa 1950 Figure 22 – Aerial Photo 27 February 1953 Figure 23 – Aerial Photo -2010

Executive Summary

Page ES- 1

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers administers the Defense Environmental Restoration Program (DERP) Formerly Used Defense Site (FUDS) program. The St. Louis District of the Corps of Engineers prepared this Preliminary Assessment (PA) for Property No.

I04GA0044, Homerville Bombing and Gunnery Range, in support of DERP-FUDS.

St. Louis District completed this effort in coordination with the Savannah District and the U.S. Army Engineering and Support Center, Huntsville (USAESCH), the Environmental & Munitions Center of Expertise (EM-CX) and Design Center for Military Munitions

(MM).

This APA compiles information obtained through historical research at various archives and records holding facilities. The investigation was primarily a textual, cartographic and photographic research and analysis effort. It also makes use of property visits and interviews to gather information concerning the property. The research directed efforts towards determining presence of hazardous substance as a result of previous use, storage, and/or disposal. The research places emphasis on establishing the types, quantities and areas of Hazardous, Toxic and Radioactive Waste (HTRW), munitions and explosives of concern (MEC), chemical warfare (CW) activities. This process obtains information for use in developing recommendations for further action at the former Homerville Bombing and Gunnery Range.

Homerville Bombing and Gunnery Range (HBGR) (also known as Waycross Bombing and Gunnery Range) was a rectangular shaped property approximately 5 ½ miles wide and 9 ½ miles long, consisting of at least 31,987 acres and located near Homerville, Georgia, in Clinch and Ware Counties. Potentially, HBGR included another 10,220 acres of land used as a range safety fan buffer zone located to the northeast and southwest of the confirmed boundary, for a total of 42,240 acres.

The Army Air Forces built Homerville Bombing and Gunnery Range to support the mission of Waycross Army Air Field dive bombing and fighter training program. Land acquisition commenced in 1942 and the range opened on 4 June 1943. Targets were located on leased property on the western third of the property. The remaining eastern two thirds of land, located in the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, was acquired through permit and used as a range safety fan buffer area.

Table ES-1 lists the former ranges at Homerville Bombing and Gunnery Range which included four fixed small arms ranges (two sub machine gun ranges, one pistol range, and one rifle range), a combination dive bombing/rocket range, a skip bombing range, and one combination aerial ground gunnery/rocket range and strafing range. The types of munitions used at HBGR included small arms ammunition, practice bombs and practice rockets. There is no evidence that high explosives were used.

Page ES- 2

TABLE ES 1

Potential Munitions Response Sites

Potential Military Munitions Response Program Sites

Acreage (est.)

Munitions/CWM Related Function

Munitions/CWM Potential

Bombing/Rocket Range (complex includes Pistol Range and portions of the Submachine Gun Ranges north and east) see Appendix R- Report Plates, Plate 6.

3,108 Practice Bombs, practice rockets, and small arms

Suspected (historical evidence), confirmed by historical documentation and aerial imagery.

Small Arms Ranges (complex includes portions of Submachine Gun Ranges north and east and the Rifle Range) see Appendix R- Report Plates, Plate 7.

1,412 Small Arms Suspected (historical evidence), confirmed by historical documentation and maps.

Skip Bombing Range (complex excludes a small portion of Aerial Ground Gunnery Range) see Appendix R-Report Plates, Plate 8.

630 Practice Bombs and Small Arms

Confirmed (historical evidence), confirmed by historical documentation and MD found during 2011 site survey.

Aerial Ground Gunnery Range (complex includes Strafing Range/Rocket Range and a small portion of the Skip Bombing Range) see Appendix R-Report Plates, Plate 9.

3,108 Practice Rockets and Small Arms

Confirmed (historical evidence), confirmed by historical documentation and MD found during 2011 site survey.

During 1944, a chemical spray range was approved for the use of FS smoke (screening smoke) and colored water dispersed from tanks located within airplanes. The range was located ½ mile southeast of the skip bombing range and was used throughout 1945. There is no explosive hazard from dispersing FS smoke from the spray tanks.

During September 1945, the Homerville Bombing and Gunnery Range was used for the last time and close down procedures commenced. By the end of January 1946, government installed property had been removed and taken back to Waycross AAF. The Department of Interior acknowledges the termination of their War Department permit for 21,697 acres (eastern two thirds of the property) on 14 October 1947. The leases for the western third of the property most likely terminated at approximately the same time, although the actual termination date on the leased portion of the range is not known.

This investigation only identified potential munitions-related hazards, or use, at the former Homerville Bombing and Gunnery Range; therefore, this APA does not identify any additional

Page ES- 3 potential projects for the DERP-FUDS program including Hazardous, Toxic and Radioactive Waste (HTRW); containerized hazardous, toxic, or radioactive waste (CON/HTRW); building demolition or debris removal (BD/DR) concerns associated with the military’s use of the Homerville Bombing and Gunnery Range.

Acknowledgements

Page a

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers St. Louis District 1222 Spruce Street St. Louis, MO 63103-2833

The Ordnance and Technical Services Branch of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Louis District (CEMVS-EC-P) prepared this Preliminary Assessment. The following St. Louis District personnel were significantly involved in the process:

Individual Telephone Number Office, Position

Randal S. Curtis, P.E. 314-331-8786 EC-P, Geological Engineer, Chief, Special Projects Section

John Daly 314-331-8762 EC-P, Historian

Shelia DeVeydt 314-331-8793 EC-P, Historian/Team Leader APA Project Manager

Thomas R. Freeman III, P.E. 314-331-8785 EC-P, Chief of Ordnance and Technical Services Branch

William K. James 314-681-2786 EC-P, Safety Specialist

George F. Sloan 314-331-8796 EC-P, Occupational Health Safety Specialist (UXO)

Alan Foreman 314-331-8114 EC-SG, Cartographer (Aerial Photo Acquisition and Interpretation)

Theresa Williams 314-331-8898 EC-P, Project Assistant

Other elements of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers provided programmatic and review oversight of the report:

U. S. Army Corps of Engineers – Savannah District

CESAS-PM-H

100 W. Oglethorpe Ave PO Box 889 Savannah, GA 31402-0889

Name Telephone Office Symbol Julie Hiscox (912) 652-5363 CESAS FUDS Program Manager

Hank Counts (912) 652-5713 CESAS Occupational Health Safety Specialist (UXO)

Acknowledgements

Page b

U.S. Army Engineering and Support Center Huntsville (USAESCH) Directorate of Environmental & Munitions Center of Expertise (CX), Military Munitions Division (CEHNC-EMM) http://www.hnd.usace.army.mil/oew/CX_mission.aspx Ordnance and Explosives Directorate, Military Munitions Design Center (CEHNC-

OE)

http://www.hnd.usace.army.mil/oew/DesignCtr_mission.aspx

Section 1 - Introduction

1 INTRODUCTION

1.1 AUTHORITY

Under the authority of the Defense Environmental Restoration Program (DERP) [10 USC §§ 2701 et seq.], and its policies and procedures relating to Formerly Used Defense Sites (DERP-FUDS), including DoD Management Guidance for the DERP dated September 28, 2001, and Engineering Regulation 200-3-1, Environmental Quality, Formerly Used Defense Sites (FUDS) Program Policy, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) St.

Louis District conducted a Preliminary Assessment for the Homerville Bombing and Gunnery Range in Clinch and Ware Counties, GA. Completion of this investigation on the former military property supports several Federal laws and rules, DoD Directives and Standards, and Army Regulations as outlined in the subsequent sub-paragraphs.

1.1.1 Laws

In 1980, Congress enacted the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA), commonly known as Superfund, to respond to threats posed by uncontrolled releases of hazardous substances into the environment. This statute, amended in 1986 by the Superfund Amendments & Reauthorization Act (SARA), establishes the process for undertaking remedial actions at inactive waste sites containing hazardous substances, as well as reporting requirements for releases of hazardous substances. SARA expanded the provisions of CERCLA and added major new authorities. These amendments included the addition of Section 120, Federal Facilities and Section 121, Cleanup Standards. Section 120 requires departments and agencies of the federal government to comply with the provisions of CERCLA as amended by SARA. Section 121 establishes the procedures for the selection of remedial actions and the determination of the degree of remediation.

In 1986, Congress established the DERP at 10 USC §§ 2701 et seq. This program directed the Secretary of Defense to carry out a program of environmental restoration at “Each facility or site which was under the jurisdiction of the Secretary and owned by, leased to, or otherwise possessed by the United States at the time of actions leading to contamination by hazardous substances.” Executive Order 12580 (EO 12580, January 23, 1987), Superfund Implementation, delegated to DoD the response authority for releases or threatened releases from any facility or vessel under the jurisdiction, custody, or control of DoD, subject to Sections 120 and 121 of SARA. In March 1990, the U.S.

Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) issued a revised National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan (NCP). Under 40 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) §300.120, DoD is identified as the response authority for incidents involving DoD military weapons and munitions under the jurisdiction, custody and control of DoD.

1.1.2 Military Munitions Response Program

The Senate Committee On Armed Services of the 106th Congress, 1st Session wrote Senate Report 106-50, which directed the DoD to determine the UXO liability costs at all military ranges and provide a report to Congress. As a result, the U.S. Army issued a data call to inventory all military ranges, generally referred to as the Advanced Range Survey (ARS). The DoD submitted the initial report reflecting the results of the ARS on 21 May 2001, to Congress.

In September 2001, the DoD established the Military Munitions Response Program (MMRP) within the Defense Environmental Restoration Program (DERP) in recognition of the requirements and the complexity posed at Munition Response Areas (MRA). In addition to defining the requirements for responses at its MRAs, the DoD established a requirement to identify, through an inventory, all locations other than operational ranges requiring a military munitions response. This investigation supports this program and the information gathered will confirm and/or append the earlier inventory.

1.1.3 Abbreviated Preliminary Assessment

Since the beginning of DERP, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers acts as the agency responsible for environmental restoration at Formerly Used Defense Sites (FUDS).

Beginning in 1990, the U.S. Army Engineering and Support Center, Huntsville (USAESCH) has served as the Military Munitions (MM) Center of Expertise (CX) and Design Center. In 2007, the MM CX merged with the Hazardous, Toxic, and Radioactive CX to become the EMCX, though the Military Munitions group remains as a separate Division (EMM)

In cooperation with the EMM, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Louis District, began preparing Archive Search Reports (ASRs) in 1992 in support of environmental restoration at active DoD installations, Formerly Used Defense Sites (FUDS) and installation transitions under Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) recommendations.

Engineering Regulation 200-3-1, Environmental Quality, Formerly Used Defense Sites (FUDS) Program Policy, dated 10 May 2004, dictated slight modification and expansion of the ASR format to clearly meet requirements of the CERCLA process as outlined in the NCP. As such, the historical records research and analysis reports became Preliminary Assessments (PA) and included pathway and environmental hazard assessment.1 PA reports are prepared pursuant to ER 200-3-1 using USACE Formerly Used Defense Sites (FUDS) Program Guidance for Performing Preliminary Assessments under FUDS, September 2005, as a guide.

This Abbreviated Preliminary Assessment (APA) is using that guidance and has been prepared in accordance with Improving Site Assessment: Abbreviated Preliminary Assessment, EPA-540-F-98-037, October 1999. The APA format was selected for this property based on the narrow and limited use of the land (i.e., only munitions-related hazards) and also that it is clear that further action under CERCLA (i.e., Site Inspection) will be warranted.

1.2 SUBJECT

Homerville Bombing and Gunnery Range (HBGR) (also known as Waycross Bombing and Gunnery Range) was a rectangular shaped property approximately 5 ½ miles wide and 9 ½ miles long, consisting of at least 31,987 acres and located near Homerville, Georgia, in Clinch and Ware Counties. Potentially, HBGR included another 10,220 acres of land used as a range safety fan buffer zone located to the northeast and southwest of the confirmed boundary, for a total of 42,240 acres (see Plate 1).

The Army Air Forces built Homerville Bombing and Gunnery Range to support the mission of Waycross Army Air Field dive bombing and fighter training program. Land acquisition commenced in 1942 and the range opened on 4 June 1943. The targets were located on leased property on the western third of the property. The remaining eastern two thirds of land, located in the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, was acquired through permit and used as a range safety fan buffer area.

Ranges included four fixed small arms ranges (two sub machine gun ranges, one pistol range, and one rifle range), a combination dive bombing/rocket range, a skip bombing range, and one combination aerial ground gunnery/rocket range and strafing range. The types of munitions used at HBGR included small arms ammunition and practice bombs and rockets. There is no evidence that high explosives were used.

During 1944, a chemical spray range was approved for the use of FS smoke (screening smoke) and colored water dispersed from tanks located within airplanes. The range was located ½ mile southeast of the skip bombing range and was used throughout 1945.

There is no explosive hazard from dispersing FS smoke from the spray tanks.

During September 1945, the range was used for the last time and close down procedures commenced. By the end of January 1946, government installed property had been removed and taken back to Waycross AAF. The Department of Interior acknowledges the termination of their War Department permit for 21,697 acres (eastern two thirds of the property) on 14 October 1947. The leases for the western third of the property most likely terminated at approximately the same time, although the actual termination date on the leased portion of the range is not known.

1.3 PURPOSE

This APA compiles information obtained through historical research at various archives and records holding facilities. The investigation was primarily a textual, cartographic and photographic research and analysis effort. It also makes use of interviews with individuals associated with the property and its operations, and a visual property inspection. No sampling or quantitative field assessment techniques were conducted to gather data. The research directed efforts toward determining presence of hazardous substance as a result of previous DoD use, storage, and/or disposal. Emphasis was placed on establishing the types, quantities and areas of munitions and chemical warfare material (CWM) activities. This process obtains information for use in developing recommendations for further action at the former HBGR.

1.4 SCOPE

The assessment team focuses on potential MEC and/or CWM contamination remaining on the former Homerville Bombing and Gunnery Range. The DERP-FUDS property number is I04GA0044. This report presents the following:

A review of related property investigations Description and characteristics of the surrounding area, including real estate information, past and present A brief history of Homerville Bombing and Gunnery Range Description of the military operations (or munitions and CWM) identified with the property A map and aerial photography analysis of the property Findings of the visual property inspection Evaluation of MMRP associated with Homerville Bombing and Gunnery Range Conclusions regarding potential hazards associated with former munitions use and potential for other FUDS eligible projects and recommendations for further action.

The Appendices provide supporting material such as a detailed listing of the records reviewed at various archives and repositories, references and copies of back-up material.

These factors represent the basis for the evaluation of potential munitions and CWM contamination and associated risks at the HBGR.

Section 2 – Previous Investigations

2 PREVIOUS INVESTIGATIONS

2.1 CORPS OF ENGINEERS INVESTIGATIONS

The Savannah District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers prepared the following investigations in support of the DERP for FUDS:

Findings of Determination of Eligibility Homerville Bombing and Gunnery Range, Clinch and Ware Counties, GA, FUDS Property No. I04GA0044, 13 May 1986.2

The Findings of Determination of Eligibility (FDE) identified 31,987 acres of land acquired through lease and permit during 1942. The Waycross Army Air Field used this property as a bombing and gunnery range during World War II and the leases were terminated by 17 April 1947. The FDE stated that persons familiar with the property indicated no hazardous conditions existed on the property and that the property had been plowed and planted with trees at least twice since the lease was terminated.

Concurrent with this investigation a revised FDE/INPR was initiated.

2.2 OTHER INVESTIGATIONS

The assessment team did not locate any additional environmental investigations or reports concerning Homerville Bombing and Gunnery Range.

Section 3 – Site Description

3 PROPERTY DESCRIPTION, ACREAGE AND LAND USE

3.1 LOCATION

HBGR was a rectangular shaped property approximately 5 ½ miles wide and 9 ½ miles long, and consisting of at least 31,987 acres located near Homerville, Georgia, in Clinch and Ware Counties. Potentially, HBGR included another 10,220 acres of land used as a range safety fan buffer zone located to the northeast and southwest of the confirmed boundary, for a total of 42,240 acres. The property lies approximately 21 miles south southwest of Waycross, Georgia, along the western edge of the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge.

To reach the property from Waycross, Georgia, drive west on U.S. 84 to Argyle, Georgia, then turn south on C.R. 204 (also known as Jamestown Road which turns into Antioch Church Road). Drive south on C.R. 204 for approximately 11 miles, then turn east on Rayonier Road 29. The logging/timbering roads within the Rayonier property are generally not labeled. The red line shown in Figure 1 indicates the driving directions.

The property is located within EPA Region 4, Georgia Congressional District 1, and zip code 31631.

Figure 1 – Vicinity Map – 25 June 2009

HBGR confirmed leased area and locations of ranges Confirmed permit area (range safety fan buffer area); Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge Potential range safety fan buffer area Driving directions to HBGR

3.2 FUDS ELIGIBILITY PROPERTY

3.2.1 Confirmed FUDS

The former Homerville Bombing and Gunnery Range consisted of 31,987 acres in Clinch and Ware Counties, Georgia. The property includes the following Lots:

Clinch County, Georgia Lots Lots 171-176, 185-190, 243-248, 257-262, 315-320, 329-334

Ware County, Georgia Lots3 177-184, 249-256, 321-328, 620-625

Beginning in 1942, the War Department acquired property through lease and permit as follows:

21,697 acres By permit with the Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management within the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge.4 See darker purple shaded area in Figure 1.

10,290 acres By lease from private owners through condemnation proceedings in Civil Action No. 89.5 See yellow shaded area in Figure 1.

This real estate figure coincides with the acreage number stated in the FDE6. An additional 10,220 acres of land was potentially used and is discussed in Section 3.2.2 below.

The last documented use of HBGR occurred during September 1945.7 By the end of January 1946, HBGR was inactivated and all government property was removed and returned to Waycross AAF.8 On 14 October 1947, the War Department received acknowledgement from the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management, terminating the permit covering 21,697 acres of land within the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge in Clinch and Ware Counties, GA, which were acquired as a portion of HBGR.9 The leases for the western third of the property most likely terminated at approximately the same time, although actual dates were not found during research.

Since final real estate disposition records were not located for HBGR, it is not known if there were any restrictive covenants or land use restrictions. Two certificates of clearance were issued, dated October 1950 and January 1951, and neither recommended placing land use restrictions on the property.10

3.2.2 Additional Areas of Use or Impact

Four historical documents obtained during research describe the property acreage larger than the confirmed 31, 987 acres. In October 1943, the Third Fighter Command stated the Waycross Bombing and Gunnery Range (also known as Homerville Bombing and Gunnery Range) was 42,240 acres in size.11 A 31 August 1945 letter regarding an amendment to the use permit for Waycross Bombing and Gunnery Range stated the public domain lands consisted of 31,917 acres, plus privately owned properties consisting of 10,220 acres, for a total of 42,137 acres.12 A circa 1943 Fourth Service Command map detailing installations located in the southeastern U.S. depicts the Waycross Bombing and Gunnery Range as having a larger footprint (i.e., property outside the confirmed rectangular shaped boundary delineation) than other obtained maps.13 (See blue shading in Figure 1.) An unlabeled September 1943 partial map shows the boundary extending outside of the confirmed rectangle shaped property. 14 The additional property included:

Ware County, GA Lots (northeast border of confirmed boundary) Lots 393-398, and 617-619

Ware County, GA Lots (south of the confirmed boundary) Lots 106-111, 626, and 627

Clinch County, GA Lots (south of the confirmed boundary) Lots 101-105 and 112-115

These lots consisted of approximately 9,090 acres. Since the majority of the real estate records were not found during the research process, this additional acreage could not be accurately addressed. The acreage should be acknowledged as possibly having been used by the government.

3.2.3 Potential FUDS

3.2.3.1 Range Fan Safety Buffers

Based on available information (e.g., historical documents, aerial photos and interviews), the assessment team identified additional potential areas of undocumented military ownership associated with Homerville Bombing and Gunnery Range. When range safety fans are drawn for this property, they extend beyond the acquired FUDS boundaries and potentially represent land use by the DoD. The assessment team did not find direct evidence of munitions hazards beyond the FUDS boundary on the property contained within these fans. The DoD accepts responsibility for remediation of hazards resulting from their activities. See Plate 5 in Appendix R-Report Plates for the areas noted outside of documented military acquired land.

3.2.3.2 Naval Aerial Gunnery Range at Okefenokee NWR

Historical documents indicate the Naval Air Station (NAS) Jacksonville, Florida also had bombing and gunnery ranges in the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge. The ranges were located south of the HBGR confirmed boundary (see Figure 12 for location). NAS Jacksonville’s use of the ranges is outside of the scope of the HBGR FUDs investigation.

The Savannah District Corps of Engineers has been notified of this potential range and will manage future investigations.

3.3 LAND USE AND OWNERSHIP HISTORY

3.3.1 Prior Land Use

Prior to the operation of Homerville Bombing and Gunnery Range, the predominate land use was for timber harvesting. The eastern portion was, and currently is, the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge.

3.3.2 Current Land Use and Ownership

Plate 2 in Appendix R-Report Plates depicts the current land ownership of the former Homerville Bombing and Gunnery Range property.

The current property owners include the following:

Rayonier, U.S. Forest Resources 6830 Floyd James Road P.O. Box 28 Manor, GA 31550 912-283-4077

Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge 3700 Suwanee Canal Road Folkston, GA 31537 912-496-7836

The privately owned lands within the western third of the property (Rayonier, U.S. Forest Resources) is used for pine tree harvesting (tree farming) and the eastern two thirds of the property is part of the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge. No housing subdivisions or buildings are located within the former Homerville Bombing and Gunnery Range. A small number of privately owned residences are adjacent to pine tree harvesting/timber company land. It is anticipated that the future use of these lands will remain the same.

The public has unrestricted access to the entire property; however, the property is privately owned with some locked gates. The Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge is a sensitive environment located adjacent to and on part of the former Homerville Bombing and Gunnery Range. The Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge is open to the public.

The former Homerville Bombing and Gunnery Range range safety fan buffer area is located in a very remote area of the wildlife refuge

There are no known land use restrictions or restrictive covenants placed on the property limiting development on the privately owned timber lands. The range safety fan buffer area located in the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge remains under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Department of Interior.

3.3.3 Condition of Facilities Constructed for the Military

The Homerville Bombing and Gunnery Range had structures constructed to support personnel and operations. In the cantonment area, buildings included a well, an office building, a messhall, a lavatory, and a generator.15 The dive bombing target area contained two spotting towers, one plotting/spotting tower, and one storage building.

The November 1945 layout plan depicts a generator located in the cantonment area;

however, the specifics concerning type and fueling of the generator is undocumented.

Given the high water table of the area, it is considered highly unlikely that any fuel storage tank would be buried.

The only structure currently remaining is the well located near the former cantonment area (see Appendix M-Property Visit Photographs, Photo Nos 1 and 2).

Section 4 – Historical Property Summary

4 HISTORICAL PROPERTY SUMMARY

4.1 CHRONOLOGICAL PROPERTY SUMMARY

4.1.1 General Property History

In order to fulfill Waycross Army Airfield’s (AAF) mission of training dive bomber squadrons, the U.S. Army began negotiations for property to construct a dive bombing range. On 4 June 1942, the Commanding General, Third Air Force requested an area to establish a practice bombing and aerial gunnery range near Waycross, Georgia, during Meeting Number 95 of the Interdepartmental Air Traffic Control Board (IATCB). The bombing and gunnery range would be used by combat units of the Third Air Force at Waycross, Georgia. Plans called for the use of only practice bombs, and no high explosive bombs would be dropped. Additionally, aerial machine guns and cannons would be fired from planes to targets on the ground.16 On 31 July 1942, the Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management granted the War Department a permit to use 21,697 acres of land in the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge to be used for the Waycross Bombing and Gunnery Range (also known as Homerville Bombing and Gunnery Range). An additional 10,220 acres of privately owned land in Clinch County, Georgia, were leased through Civil Action Number 89 Petition for Condemnation proceedings filed on 7 August 1942.17

The mission changed once Waycross AAF became a sub-base to Drew Army Airfield, Florida, during April 1943. Waycross AAF now trained Fighter Bomber Groups with the mission of training replacement pilots. On 2 April 1943, IATCB Meeting 253 rescinded the original danger area for a bombing and gunnery range associated with Waycross AAF.

The IATCB approved an expanded danger area for bombing for use by both the U.S. Army and the U.S. Navy which encompassed most of the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge.

Waycross AAF would use the northern half of the refuge and planes associated with the Naval Air Station, Jacksonville would use the southern half.18 (see Figure 12). On 4 June 1943, the now named Homerville Bombing and Gunnery Range opened with one bombing range, one aerial gunnery range, and five buildings. Thirteen enlisted men were assigned to operate the range.19 By July 1943, the Third Air Force authorized the construction of a skip bombing range. Additional range construction requirements were soon undertaken, including a rifle range, a pistol range, and two sub-machine gun ranges.20

During September 1943, the U.S. Army placed Waycross AAF under the jurisdiction of Dale Mabry Field, Tallahassee, Florida, with the main mission of training fighter bomber replacement pilots. During 1944, P-40 aircraft replaced the P-39’s. The post engineer began constructing an emergency landing strip near the skip bombing range and converting the ground gunnery range into a combination ground rocket range. Plans called for the ground rocket range to be completed by May 1945.21 The ground gunnery range was completely rebuilt with new concrete butts on all of the targets. Concrete footings and piers were installed for each target, enabling the range to accommodate either six or ten foot targets. Twelve targets were constructed, of which two targets were designated by the installation to be fifty foot radii white circles for the rocket targets. Additionally the dive bomb range was converted into a combination for dive bomb-rocket range. P-51 aircraft fired rockets, and scored hits were calculated by placing radio operators in the observation towers at the range.22 A new method of marking “hits” on the target was instituted due to farm animals entering the target areas and climbing onto the target patches trying to eat the paste holding the patches in place. To remedy this, each hit on the target was touched with paint, which eliminated the farm animals wanting to get to the paste.23

By early 1945, fifteen classes of fighter pilots had graduated from Waycross AAF and the sixteenth class began mid July.24 With the end of World War II nearing, the need for additional fighter bomber pilots diminished. The last clear use of the Homerville Bombing and Gunnery Range occurred in September 1945.25 Between that time and the end of October, all areas had reportedly been decontaminated, cleared of all scrap metal, and inspected for duds, unexploded projectiles and bombs. A Third Air Force inspector found the range suitable for closing on 25 October 1945. On 31 October 1945, troops used for policing the area were removed from the range after an inspection from the base range officer was completed.26

By the end of January 1946, Homerville Bombing and Gunnery Range was inactivated and all installed government property was removed and brought back to Waycross AAF.27 The actual termination date on the leased portion of the range is not known, but 1952 correspondence states the Homerville Landing Field, located near the skip bombing range, was returned to the public during 1945.28 On 14 October 1947, the War Department received acknowledgement from the US Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management for termination of the permit covering 21,697 acres of land acquired as a portion of the Homerville Bombing and Gunnery Range within the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, located in Clinch and Ware Counties, Georgia.29

Currently, the property is part of the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge and the formerly leased portion of the range is owned by a private company and used for timber harvesting.

4.2 MILITARY OPERATIONS

4.2.1 Operations Involving Military Munitions

4.2.1.1 Summary of Range Activities

Range activities at Homerville Bombing and Gunnery Range included a combination dive bombing/practice rocket range, a skip bombing range, two submachine gun ranges, one rifle range, one pistol range, one combination air to ground gunnery range/rocket range, and an air to ground strafing range. None of the acquired historical documentation, aerial photography, or the 2011 property inspection indicated high explosives being used.

Confirmed munitions being used on Homerville Bombing and Gunnery Range included practice bombs, small arms ammunition, and practice rockets.

Aircraft associated with this range included the P-39, P-40 and P-51 fighter/attack aircraft.

The Bell P-39 Airacobra could be armed with one 37mm cannon, two .50 caliber and four .30 caliber machine guns, with provisions for one bomb up to 500 lbs. in size. The Curtis P-40 Warhawk was armed with six .50 caliber machine guns and provisions for up to 1,500 lbs. of bombs. The North American P-51 Mustang was armed with six .50 caliber machine guns, up to two 1,000 lb. bombs or six 5 inch rockets.

Although these aircraft were used for training at Homerville Bombing and Gunnery Range, actual confirmation of these munitions being used was not documented; therefore, these munitions are listed as potentially used. There is no documented evidence of high explosives being used on Homerville Bombing and Gunnery Range.

4.2.1.2 Dive Bombing Range

On 8 September 1943, the Waycross AAF base range officer reported the dive bombing range location as 30° 54’ 36” latitude, 82° 32’30” longitude.30 The 1943 map (see Figure

2) shows the range in the southeastern portion of Lot 332. The target consisted of a standard dive bombing target with two spotting (observation) towers and one spotting and plotting tower at the ends of an equilateral triangle, with each side of the triangle measuring approximately 4400 feet. At first, the 85th Fighter Bomber Group used the range during 36 daylight hours in August 1943, as the night lighting equipment was not yet completed.31 Plans called for an average daily use of the bombing range for fifty-six (56) P-51 airplanes, with the maximum limits at ninety-four (94) P-51 airplanes per day.32

Figure 2 – Dive Bombing Target – 24 September 194333

The dive bombing range was converted into a combination dive bombing / rocket range (Figure 3) during May 1945.34 Regulation No. 55-12-Operations Rocket Firing states the dive bombing range will be used for firing rockets. Firing runs were made from west to east, generally on a line parallel with the two south towers.35 During July 1945, the range officer reported continued difficulty in scoring rocket hits on the bombing range, since the training rockets do not have enough explosive power to be seen at a distance from the observation towers.36 A modification of the use permit to allow the firing of aerial rockets on the Homerville Bombing and Gunnery Range stated that practice type rockets, sand filled, with no explosive charges, will be used.37

Figure 3 – Dive Bombing / Rocket Range – 11 November 194538

4.2.1.3 Air to Ground Gunnery Range and Ground Strafing Course

Headquarters, Third Air Force authorized the construction of an aerial gunnery / ground strafing course on 13 August 1943. Plans called for the range to be completed and ready for use by the end of September 1943.39 Original plans called for 4 banks of three targets each, with 300 feet between each target and 1,000 feet between each bank. Each target was to be 10’ x 18’ and the direction of fire would be to the east.40

Figure 4 – Strafing Range and Aerial Ground Gunnery/Rocket Range Layout Plan –

11 November 194541

On 1 March 1945, Headquarters, 3rd Air Force, directed the Waycross AAF Commanding Officer to convert the air to ground gunnery range to a gunnery and rocket range.42 During April 1945, the post engineer department began converting the ground gunnery range into a combination ground gunnery range/rocket range. Concrete footings and four concrete piers were installed for each target, enabling the range to accommodate either six or ten foot targets. Twelve targets were constructed, two 50’ radii targets with white circles as the rocket targets. The combination ground gunnery rocket range opened in May 1945.43 The 1953 aerial imagery in Figure 5 identifies the location of the two rocket targets grouped within the gunnery targets.

Aerial Ground Gunnery Rocket Range

Strafing Range

Figure 5 –1953 Aerial Photo showing Aerial Ground Gunnery Range with Rocket

Targets44

4.2.1.4 Skip Bombing Range

During July 1943, Headquarters Third Air Force authorized the construction of a Skip Bombing Range at “Waycross Bombing and Gunnery Range” (aka Homerville Bombing and Gunnery Range). The original cost estimate stated the skip bombing range required 606 acres cleared, 33 acres cleared and grubbed, 2 spotting towers, 1 control tower, 62 directional markers, 22 directional arrows, 4 boundary markers, an access road, and 10 target tanks. War Department documentation stated 15 foot timber platforms would be constructed, instead of the 2 spotting towers and one control tower.45

On 8 September 1943 the Waycross AAF base range officer reported on Skip Bomb Range #1, located at 30° 52’ 52” latitude, 82° 34’ 00” longitude. The range was under construction with the expected completion by the end of October 1943. The range had a cleared approach of 3,000 feet, with movable targets on skids. The target area measured 800 feet by 1200 feet, with an observation tower and plotting tower to be installed at a later date.46

A 26 September 1944 Headquarters Third Air Force document discusses the location of a proposed chemical spray range next to the current skip bombing range and the ground gunnery range. This location was not favorable since it affected the traffic patterns of these ranges and the FS smoke (screening smoke) would cause deterioration of the

Aerial Ground Gunnery Targets

Air to Ground Rocket Targets communication systems located within the area. It further describes a possible alternate location for the chemical spray range near the “old skip bombing range located in the northeastern part of the range may meet the requirements.”47 The document implies there is more than one skip bombing range located at Homerville Bombing and Gunnery Range.

No documents or maps obtained discuss a second skip bombing range, nor do the 1953 aerial photographs specifically delineate an additional skip bombing range. Presumably, this referred to the other bombing target which was located to the northeast.

Figure 6 – Skip Bombing Range – 11 November 194548

4.2.1.5 Rifle Range

During September 1943, the base range officer reported that construction of the rifle range was underway, with a completion date expected during the first week of October. The land was being leased from private owners and under the jurisdiction of the Third Air Force.

The range contained firing points at 100, 200, 300 yards and, if needed, 500 yards with 20 sliding targets.49

The 1953 aerial photography clearly depicts the rifle range. It measures approximately 1500 feet by 280 feet with four berms. See Figure 7 below for layout.

Figure 7 – Rifle Range Layout Plan – 11 November 194550

4.2.1.6 Pistol Range

The Waycross AAF base range officer reported on 8 September 1943, that the pistol range was located one mile west southwest of the dive bombing range. The land was leased from private owners and plans called for 15 and 25 yard firing points, with 10 stationary and 10 bobbing targets. The pistol range completion date was to be by the end of September.51 Figure 8 shows the pistol range in November 1945.

Figure 8 – Pistol Range – 11 November 194552

4.2.1.7 Submachine Gun Range (north)

The base range officer reported the submachine gun range (north) was located one mile east of the range camp headquarters and was under construction with a completion date of mid October 1943. The range was leased from private owners and fell under the jurisdiction of the Third Air Force. This range “is in accordance with FM 23-40 except that there are no pits at the beginning of phase B. Targets are worked by remote control from behind the firer.”53 Figure 9 depicts the submachine gun range (north) location.

4.2.1.8 Submachine Gun Range (east)

The Waycross AAF range officer reported submachine gun range (east) was located two miles east of the range camp headquarters and the completion date was the end of October 1943. The range was leased from private owners and fell under the jurisdiction of the Third Air Force. The submachine gun range “is in accordance with FM 23-40 except that there are no pits at the beginning of phase B. Targets are worked by remote control from behind the firer.”54 Figure 9 depicts the submachine gun range (east) location.

Figure 9 – Submachine Gun Ranges North and East – 11 November 194555

4.2.1.9 Summary of CW Activities

The CW activities at Waycross AAF apparently included basic instruction in procedures for donning protective gas masks, identification of CW agents and decontamination of personnel and equipment. The “Report of Controlled and Other Critical Items of Equipment” inventory report for February 1945 did not list Chemical Agent Identification Sets (CAIS), specifically detonating gas identification sets, at Waycross AAF; however, Waycross AAF routinely conducted chemical warfare training at the main airfield. This training included “gas alert days” where chemical warfare personnel sprayed gas at various times at unspecified locations at the main field.