A joint military mission by the U.S. and Australia with about 30,000 soldiers was forced to abandon bombs from an aircraft after failing to land their fighter jets safely. They were forced to drop the bombs after spotting civilian boats near their original target.

The US Navy told the Australian government that it would offer any help required to remove four bombs - two containing explosives, but unarmed - that were accidentally dropped in the Great Barrier Reef marine park, a World Heritage-listed sanctuary.

US Commander of the 7th Fleet, Vice Admiral Scott Swift, said the approval to remove or leave the bombs had to come from the Australian authorities.

"Once that determination has been made, we'll work closely with whoever is designated to remediate the problem. If that means removal of the weapons, I'd be happy to participate," Swift was quoted as saying by Reuters. He was speaking on board an aircrft carrier, the U.S.S. George Washington, off the coast of Australia.

The U.S. 7th fleet said in a statement that it would help Australian authorities in the clean up process and take the greatest care to leave the environment unharmed.

The Navy said in a statement, "We're fully committed to redressing any potential adverse environmental impact in a timely manner," adding that it would provide more information as it was finalized.

The bombs were of little risk to Navy divers or to the reef, and was able to be transported easily. They were approximately 160 to 200 feet below water, according to a spokesperson, reports the Telegraph.

The coral reefs are considered to be a gift to Australians, and activists are opposed to conducting joint military exercises in the area designated as a world heritage site. The U.N. has also said that the coral reefs are endangered by climate change, commercial shipping and invasive starfish infestation, reports NBC News.