Construction near Freedom 7 Elementary in Cocoa Beach got a little too real yesterday, when crews dug up what turned out to be a World War II era practice bomb just off school grounds. The surprise find brought in a military explosives team, triggered a security perimeter, and ended with the device being hauled away for safe disposal. Officials stressed that students and staff were kept out of harm's way and that there was no known threat to the wider public.
According to the Orlando Sentinel, a construction crew working near the school uncovered the American-made training device and quickly called it in. The 45th Explosive Ordnance Disposal team from Patrick Space Force Base was dispatched, and military personnel ultimately moved the practice bomb to Cape Canaveral Space Force Station for a controlled disposal. Brevard County authorities assisted in locking down the immediate area while the work was underway.
How Officials Handled It
In a press release posted by Space Launch Delta 45, military officials confirmed the find was an American-made practice bomb and emphasized that it does not contain high explosives. The statement noted that the 45th EOD team, which regularly supports launch operations at Cape Canaveral and Kennedy Space Center, handled the render-safe procedures and transportation.
Local outlet WFTV reported that a nearby park was secured as an extra precaution while the bomb technicians did their work. Once the ordnance was removed, normal activity in the area resumed.
Why This Kind Of Thing Happens On The Space Coast
The Space Coast has a long and active military history, which means old training ordnance still turns up from time to time during digging, dredging, or even casual beachcombing. Spectrum News 13 documented a similar find in 2015 at Merritt Island Airport, where workers discovered a World War II practice bomb near a runway. That earlier case underscored that these relics are unusual but not unheard of in Brevard County.
Officials say the Brevard County Sheriff's Office and Space Launch Delta 45 operate as partners on first responder support when old military items surface. Their standing advice for residents and workers is simple: if you come across anything that looks like unexploded ordnance or a military-style device, do not touch it, back away, and call authorities immediately.
In this latest incident, the practice bomb was transported to Cape Canaveral Space Force Station for disposal. No injuries were reported, and officials said the wider community remained safe throughout the operation.
