In the summer of 2014 two U.S. Military F101 Voodoo fighter jets splashed into the Gulf of Mexico off Bay County Florida and sank to the bottom. This was not a tragic accident but rather a boon for local divers and fishermen.
As part of an active area artificial reef program, the retired fighter jets were deployed to become part of the existing artificial reefs in the area. Bay County Commissioner Bill Dozier, who witnessed the deployment, said, “Instead of scrapping them, we were able to use them as reefs.”
The F101 Voodoo fighter jets are connected to the area because they were flown by former members of the Bay County Commission. For years the jets had been on static display in Panama City, Florida at the local marina and at a college but, because of construction projects, had to be relocated.
They were added to the artificial reef program and, after cleanup, were ready for their 
next mission of creating an attractive local dive and fishing site. $30,000 in funding for the project was provided by The Bay County Tourist Development Council and an additional $60,000 came from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s artificial reef program and was used to build and sink additional reef modules near the jets.
The artificial reef site is in the Gulf of Mexico offshore Panama City and lies in just over 75 feet of water. Pat Green, owner of Panama City Dive Charters was on-hand for the deployment and said “This is a perfect, non-challenging dive.” He went on to say “These reefs are going to be a fantastic attraction for local divers and a new spot for fisherman to fish as well.”
The F101 Voodoo Fighter Jets are sure to become one of the “must-do” dive sites in the Panama City area. This area is already known for great SCUBA diving and spear-fishing and the new reef just adds to the attraction.