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319th SFS to open newly renovated firing range

  • Published
  • By By Senior Airman Ryan Sparks
  • 319th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

The 319th Security Forces Squadron here is scheduled to open their newly renovated firing range November 1.

Tech. Sgt. James Layton, 319th SFS NCO in charge of combat arms, said the year-long, $3.5 million refurbishment eliminates the need for Airmen to travel to other bases during the harsh winters that would close the range before the renovations were made.

According to Layton, the earth berm backstop was replaced with a rubber composite backstop, concrete replaced gravel flooring, more sound dampening material was added and a new heating and air system was installed.

Layton said this will be a “soft” opening to meet mission requirements and they plan on having a grand opening when the rest of the renovations are complete in the near future.

Maj. Laura Showman, 319th SFS commander, is excited about what this range can provide.

"The renovated range is beautiful. This is now the nicest range I've ever seen on an Air Force Base. It's exactly what we need for a range in this part of the world; it's enclosed so we can heat it and keep our students' fingers from freezing," said Showman. "This new range is definitely going to improve the quality of our Security Forces annual weapons qualification training and all the training we provide across the base."