At the close of the Cold War Era a program called Reef-Ex was created as a joint military operation that was designed to provide obsolete war tanks and vehicles for reef construction. At its inception in 1985 the program successfully deployed 58 vehicles, including Sheridan tanks of New Jersey in addition 34 vietnam-era tanks which were deployed as artificial reefs on the sandy ocean floor off Long Island, NY and New Jersey.   This program continued until the late 1990's and successfully sank Tanks and other armor along the East Coast.  For various reasons the program never found its way to the West Coast until now.

We in San Diego are investigating and planning a new round of implementing of this program to create interesting and Unique Dive Sites.  The main benefit of these reefs will be Scuba Diving Tourism for San Diego as these unique sites will be a draw for divers from all over the world.  The REEFEX program on the East Coast was created around sport fishing, but here in San Diego we are creating these sites with sport divers in mind.  The tanks will be placed in areas served by the current and future dive charter operations.  We are also investigating the possibility of placing some of the tanks in areas where divers and swimmers could reach them from the shore.

These reefs will also provide additional habitat for the ocean environment and areas to allow for scientific study of fish populations and habitat creation.

This is a unique situation of a WIN-WIN with the surplus armor can be utilized to create dive opportunities for 30-50 years to come and, in the process, assist the ocean by  creating  habitat.