Air Force Plans Gulf Munitions Testing Early November
The 96th Test Wing will run daytime munitions tests in a designated Gulf hazard zone on several days in early November.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Safety
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The U.S. Air Force is conducting munitions testing in the Gulf on Nov. 4-6 and Nov. 9-10, with the 96th Test Wing running daytime missions. All vessels must clear an active hazard zone spanning roughly 30 nautical miles south of the Destin East Pass and 50 nautical miles west toward Navarre Beach.
Why it matters
Boaters, anglers and charter operators along Florida's Panhandle coast need to plan around restricted waters during the testing window. The notice also gives residents a clear reporting path if they encounter unidentified military or test-related items.
The hazard zone measures roughly 30 nautical miles south of Destin East Pass and 50 nautical miles west toward Navarre Beach, with daily mission windows of 5 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on the scheduled test days. The notice does not specify the munitions involved or whether the zone boundaries may change during testing.
The players
96th Test Wing
The 96th Test Wing is the U.S. Air Force unit based at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida that conducts weapons and munitions testing.
U.S. Coast Guard
The U.S. Coast Guard is the federal maritime service responsible for maritime safety, security and search and rescue in U.S. waters.
The details
The 96th Test Wing, based at Eglin Air Force Base, will run munitions testing missions on Nov. 4-6 and Nov. 9-10. Mariners are advised to monitor Channel 16 or HF 2182 kHz, and anyone who spots unidentified military or test-related items should report them to local law enforcement, the U.S. Coast Guard, or Eglin base security at 850-882-2000.
Timeline
Nov. 4, 2026: Munitions testing mission runs from 5:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Nov. 5, 2026: Munitions testing runs from 5 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Nov. 6, 2026: Munitions testing runs from 5 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Nov. 9, 2026: Munitions testing runs from 5 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Nov. 10, 2026: Munitions testing mission runs from 5:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Seasonal Patterns
Eglin Air Force Base has long used Gulf waters off the Florida Panhandle as a test range, and scheduled hazard-zone notices like this one are a recurring feature of its operations. The notice covers a specific early-November window rather than a seasonal pattern tied to weather.
Boaters, anglers and charter operators should avoid the designated hazard zone south of Destin East Pass and west toward Navarre Beach during the listed testing windows. Monitor Channel 16 or HF 2182 kHz for updates, and report any unidentified military or test-related items to 850-882-2000.
The takeaway
Plan water activities around the scheduled Nov. 4-10 test windows and check marine radio before heading out. Staying clear of the hazard zone keeps you safe and out of the way of military operations.
What happens next
Testing is scheduled to conclude after the Nov. 10, 2026 mission window.
Further reading
For more on keeping safe on the water, see Safety coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Wjhg.
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