7th SFS takes charge of Air Force's newest $4.3 million indoor combat range

by Airman 1st Class Alexander Guerrero
7th Bomb Wing Public Affairs

7/23/2014 - DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas  -- The 7th Security Forces Squadron is now the caretaker of a $4.3 million state-of-the-art combat range that opened here July 18, 2014.

The indoor range can accommodate 21 shooters at once, which is three times the amount the old facility could handle at one time.

"This range is the newest in the Air Force and, in my opinion, the best," said Maj. Sarah Babbitt, 7th SFS commander. "It allows us to fire indoors 24/7, 365 days a year. We don't have to worry about the Texas heat or freezing in the winter."

Being indoors adds the extra benefit of shortening the amount of time security forces must spend at the range to complete their required training.

Airmen originally had to come to the range around 4 a.m. to complete the night-fire portion of their qualification and then return a few hours later to complete the training in the light of day.

"With this new range, we don't have to do that. We can get it all knocked out, so it shortens the classes and gives Airmen some time back," Babbitt said.

The indoor combat range contains multiple features such as track-riding targets, a programmable target computer system and a reinforced bullet-stop that is rated to withstand up to a .50 caliber round.

"I like the fact that we can move the targets to the shooters," said Staff Sgt. Luis Fontanez, 7th SFS combat arms training and maintenance instructor. "It takes away the danger of having our instructors and students walk down the firing lanes to go inspect their targets."

The range allows use of different weapons, but to ensure the longevity of the bullet-trap at the end of the firing line, the instructors will stick to smaller-caliber firearms and will also refrain from firing fully automatic.

"We'll generally be using M4 carbines, M9 Beretta pistols, and M870 shotguns," said Staff Sgt. Clint Sullins, 7th SFS CATM instructor. "The larger caliber weapons will deteriorate the range faster so we won't really be using them here."

All these added features and benefits have left the 7th SFS Airmen excited about having the newest combat range in the Air Force and the training Team Dyess will get to have in the future.

"We are absolutely excited because we have been waiting for this range to open for more than a year," Babbitt said. "It's a team effort out here. We have to train all of our Airmen to go downrange, so this is a big deal for Team Dyess," Babbitt said.