Test of Massive Air Force Bomb Set for Tuesday at Eglin AFB (Florida)

AP ^

[Semper911]

Mar 10, 2003

Test of 'massive' Air Force Bomb Set for Tuesday at Eglin

The Associated Press

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. (AP) - A conventional bomb so big that it's first name is "massive" is set to be tested for the first time at this Florida Panhandle base Tuesday.

Air Force officials Monday warned residents of communities surrounding the western half Eglin's 724-square-mile military reservation to be prepared to hear an explosion that sounds like thunder or a slamming door between noon and 5 p.m. CST although the blast will be miles away.

The loudness of the 21,000-pound "massive ordnance air burst," or MOAB, will vary depending on wind currents and some people may not hear it at all, Eglin officials said in a brief news release.

They added that the test will be conducted only under weather conditions best for minimizing the sound and inside a buffer zone to keep a shock wave and debris from the explosion inside Eglin's boundaries. The backup date for the test is Thursday during the same time frame.

MOAB is similar to but 40 percent heavier than the 15,000-pound BLU-82, billed as the world's most powerful non-nuclear bomb and known to send up a mushroom cloud similar to a nuclear weapon.

The BLU-82, nicknamed "daisy cutter," was developed during the Vietnam War to create jungle clearings for use as helicopter landing areas. It was most recently dropped in Afghanistan on caves where al-Qaida leaders were suspected of hiding.

In the Persian Gulf War, it was used to clear minefields. MOAB is expected to be ready for use this year if the test is successful.

Areas where civilians may be able to hear the blast are Mary Esther, Navarre, Holly, Holt and western Crestview.

[gridlock]

I'll buy an e-beer^* for the first person who posts a verifiable photo or video of this thing in action. Enquiring minds want to know!

[Semper911]

I just want to see the video!
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,80797,00.html

I don't see the video on that page. Am I missing it, or did they take it down?

[Semper911]

I'll buy an e-beer*

I'll chip in on that offer. LOL

(Actually, according to your definition of an e-beer, I just bought you one.)

[AmericanInTokyo]

:-) But yes, how do you really feel?? :-)

The 'story' I am referring to is AF_Blue being an earwitness, and breaking the news after it had occured, much more rapidly than any news outlet I now of. Certainly you agree!!?

[Semper911]

HEADS UP! CNN says they will have the video in a few minutes!

[finnman69]

I hope the French are watching...

[Semper911]

The 'story' I am referring to is AF_Blue being an earwitness, and breaking the news after it had occured, much more rapidly than any news outlet I now of. Certainly you agree!!?

Of course, I was just noting that we were on this story before the networks even thought about it.

Video being released by DOD and coming across the networks soon. Can't wait.

[Semper911]

the French

LOL. As someone on this thread said:

White flags and brown shorts.

[shadowman99]

Can anybody do quality screen grabs? I'm cubically challenged right now.

[Semper911]

Can anybody do quality screen grabs?

Hole_n_one, you have your magic video capture machine up and running?

[RobFromGa]

I meant it to be this way:

[mikenola]

I'm also standing by to make vidcaps!

[Semper911]

standing by

Excellent. That will make this thread complete. Next we need embedded sound files.

Did I mention I want audio ?

[Semper911]

Nice pics. I really don't want to nuke Paris, I just want the French to pour themselves a big tall glass of shutthehellup.

[RobFromGa]

I don't want to nuke Paris either but the Islamic Jihadists will if they get the chance.

[2Jedismom]

Check it out!! AF_Blue heard it first! Post 184.

I've been following this thread since 9:30pm central last night!

[mikenola]

No audio from here unfortunately, just stills. But I would look for DoD to eventually have some MPEG videos up on their site.

[RobFromGa]

"Scoop" and "New Scoop" added to Keywords in honor of AF_Blue

[RobFromGa]

New=News