BKV Gunnery Backstop Project

November 2025

Free and Open to the Public

November 15, 2025 - Brooksville – Tampa Bay Regional Airport is proud to announce the completion, unveiling, and opening of a new historical point of interest: the WWII Gunnery Backstop Memorial. This free, publicly accessible site is open anytime and preserves an extraordinary piece of the airport’s origins as a World War II bomber training base. At its heart stands the original concrete gunnery backstop, once used by trainee airmen who calibrated their weapons by firing into the reinforced structure and sand berm from aircraft parked nearby.

The memorial is the result of the vision, passion, and determination of BKV pilot and historian Don Etchison, together with project partner and architect Ed Hoffman. Their dedication has transformed this distinctive structure into a meaningful place of remembrance and education.

Visitors will find several historically rich features, including an authentic B-17 propeller monument that includes a plaque honoring the 33 airmen who lost their lives here during training. The site also includes an official Historical Marker, a restored inert bomb monument, framed vintage photographs of the bomber aircraft that trained on this ground, and a display case showcasing wartime memorabilia.

Generously funded entirely through community donations and in-kind contributions, the WWII Gunnery Backstop Memorial stands at the airport’s main entrance on Spring Hill Drive at Sam Pearson Way and Aviation Loop Drive—welcoming all who wish to remember, reflect, and learn.

Long referred to as "The Bunker," little is widely known about the distinctive concrete structure at the entrance to Brooksville - Tampa Bay Regional Airport (BKV). Thanks to some local aviation history enthusiasts, that will soon change.

The structure is original to the airport, which was built during WWII and named Brooksville Army Airfield. Its purpose was to help bomber pilots calibrate their weapons during training. From an aircraft anchored with a chain to an iron ring in the ground nearby, pilots aimed guns into the concrete and sand beneath. So - never a bunker - the structure was actually a gunnery backstop.

The transformation was envisioned by Don Etchison and architecturally illustrated by Ed Hoffman, both long-time BKV pilots.

The Transformation to a Historical Point-of-Interest

April 2025 Progress Update

Many elements of the Gunnery Backstop Project have come together recently. After a concrete pedestal was constructed, a custom steel cradle was installed for the inert, restored "Brooksville Bomb". Discovered during construction of Wilton Simpson Technical College, the ordnance was evaluated at MacDill Air Force Base, deemed safe, and beautifully restored by EAA 1298 volunteers. With care and the help of a wrecker truck and heavy chain, the bomb display was placed.

Beside the bomb, the official Historical Marker was installed and rails were added atop the front walls within the structure. Items will remain shrouded until the official ribbon cutting.

February 2025 Progress Update

Key project sponsor Cemex poured foundations for the historical marker and the restored Brooksville Bomb. Meanwhile, the specialists at AccuformNMC and BC Engineering are preparing the 6' x 4' B-17 photographic centerpiece with a custom mount.

November 2024 Progress Update

Progress is evident at the Airport Gunnery Backstop WWII Memorial site. As elements come together in real life, they reflect the vision in the architectural rendering.

Recent developments include concrete wing walls and benches, sidewalk, curbing, propeller pedestal, in-ground lighting, and decorative pavers. On November 18, a stainless-steel mount was installed upon which the distinctive three-bladed B-17 airplane propeller now sits (covered up until future unveiling).

Construction to develop the monument has been a grassroots effort, possible solely due to monetary donations and contributions of professional services, as well as complimentary or deeply discounted products such as concrete, pavers, electricity and metals.

Many people have generously shared their time, expertise, products and money to bring this project to life. There is still a lot left to do and opportunities remain to help.

August 2024 Progress Update

Check out the new Gunnery Backstop Memorial video featuring information about the bomb display preparations. The video was produced by the Tourism Bureau: Florida's Adventure Coast, Brooksville - Weeki Wachee. Daily progress is evident with the main concrete in place and earth graded around it. A big Thank You to those working hard to make this happen!

July 2024 Progress Update

The Gunnery Backstop Memorial is taking shape. The interior was graded and concrete forms positioned. Other project-related work is also happening off-site such as priming the bomb tail fins for paint and preparing the B-17 propeller mount. A sincere Thank You to all financial donors, suppliers and professional service providers for the support!