In a surprising discovery, a World War II navy practice bomb was found washed up on the shores of Pajaro Dunes in California on New Year's Eve. The bomb, described as an "inert military ordnance," was discovered after recent storms caused it to be thrown up from the Pacific Ocean. The Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office promptly responded to the scene and, as a precautionary measure, called in their bomb team to assess the situation.

After a thorough visual inspection and an x-ray scan, authorities determined that the device was free from explosive materials. With the bomb deemed safe, it was collected by officials from Travis Air Force Base, located about 140 miles northeast of the coastal area. A spokesperson for the Air Force confirmed that the item was a US WWII-era Navy practice bomb, specifically the Mk 15, Mod 2 model. The device has been retained by the Travis Explosive Ordnance Disposal team and will remain in their possession.

The discovery of military hardware like bombs is a rare occurrence in the US, unlike in Europe and Asia where bombing was more prevalent during conflicts. However, there have been previous instances of such findings. In 2002, the US Navy's Explosive Ordnance Disposal Detachment discovered an underwater field of discarded munitions off the coast of Oahu, Hawaii. Last year, two 100-pound World War II-era gravity bombs were detonated, and other ordnance was removed in the channel between Lanikai Beach and Mokulua North on Oahu.

The bomb found on the California beach was covered in rust and debris, a testament to its age and the effects of time. It was recognizable for its distinctive missile shape. The beach where the bomb washed up was among the areas that had been evacuated due to the massive waves generated by recent storms in the Pacific Ocean. The powerful surf had pounded the coastline, creating waves as high as 25 to 30 feet.

While artifacts of war rarely appear on US shores, they can still pose a risk of detonation even decades after their disposal. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration warns that bombs, grenades, and mines can still be dangerous long after they were discarded. The US Army Corps of Engineers has identified over 400 underwater environments used as defense sites containing unexploded ordnances, leading to the discovery of munitions on beaches across the country.

The disposal of unexploded munitions was a common practice until 1970 when it was prohibited by the Department of Defense. Congress later passed the Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act, which banned the disposal of munitions and other pollutants in the ocean. The Environmental Protection Agency has reported fatalities, severe injuries, and chemical exposures related to military munitions, including those associated with chemical warfare agents.