Brooksville, FL – The Hernando County Sheriff’s Office has announced a significant law enforcement presence at the Airport Industrial Park, near American Aviation, on Helicopter Drive close to Flight Path Drive. The focus of this operation is the assessment of an object believed to be a very old Mark 65 bomb.
Since then, deputies have closed Spring Hill Drive between US-41 (Broad Street) and California Street due to a large military ordnance that was located on Helicopter Drive.This portion of roadway will be closed until authorities deem the item safe.
The Mark 65, a naval mine historically used by the United States Navy for anti-submarine warfare, presents a potential risk depending on whether it remains live. Authorities have yet to determine the current state of the bomb—whether it is inert or poses a live threat.
The discovery of such an ordinance has prompted a careful response from the Sheriff’s Office, with deputies currently on scene to evaluate the situation further. The public is advised to stay clear of the area while the assessment is underway, ensuring the safety of both the community and the responding teams.
The Mark 65 bomb is a type of naval mine that was used by the United States Navy. Developed and deployed primarily for anti-submarine warfare, the Mark 65 is a Quickstrike mine, which is a category of naval mines converted from general-purpose bombs. These mines are designed to be dropped from aircraft into water to target submarines or surface vessels. The Mark 65 specifically is designed to lie on the seabed and detonate when it detects the acoustic or magnetic signature of a passing vessel.
The bomb description suggests it might be a relic from past military exercises or operations, possibly dating back to the Cold War era when the use of such mines was more prevalent.
Given its intended use, the primary concern with a discovered Mark 65 bomb, especially one that is very old, is whether it remains live (capable of detonation) or has become inert over time.