On Wednesday, Nov. 3 at about 9 p.m., an Air National Guard F-16 fighter aircraft, assigned to the 113th Wing, District of Columbia Air National Guard, accidentally discharged approximately 25 training rounds of 20 millimeter ammunition, while flying in the Warren Grove Gunnery Range, N.J. airspace.  

      Several rounds struck the roof and parking lot at Little Egg Harbor Township Intermediate School, N.J.  There were no injuries.

      The school received minor damage that is being inspected by the school district.  

      School officials expect that classes will commence on Monday morning as scheduled.

      Operations at the range have been temporarily suspended.  

     A U.S. Air Force investigation is underway. Once the investigation is complete, all releasable information will be available.

      The 113th Wing is based at Andrews Air Force Base, Md.

      “The safety of our people and the surrounding communities are our foremost concern,” said Lt. Col. Roberta Niedt, spokesperson, New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs.

      The range consists of 2,400 acres and has been in operation for more than 40 years.  Approximately 3,700 sorties from fighter aircraft and helicopters were flown at the range between September 2003 – October 2004.  It is the largest site of its type in the United States and is a primary training site in the northeast region for military operations.

      The mission of the range is to provide a quality combat training environment for military air combat forces.  Training sites such as Warren Grove are imperative to military operations.  It is important for soldiers and airmen to train in a controlled environment, before they are sent into a combat zone.

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