Change is near

MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- Construction on the new Combat Arms Training and Maintenance range will begin April 5. It will have new features including a baffle that will catch bullets. The range will also allow squadrons to practice firing weapons from tactical vehicles. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Benjamin Wiseman/RELEASED)

Eye on the firing line

MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- Staff Sgt. Jonathan Grimes, 23rd Security Forces Squadron combat arms instructor, watches over the firing line as Moody Airmen fire the Beretta M-9 handgun here March 3. The Combat Arms Training and Maintenance range will be under construction for six to eight months while a new fully-contained firing range for the 820th Security Forces Group is being built. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Benjamin Wiseman/RELEASED)

New firing line

MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- The brass cartridges start to build up as Airmen qualify on the Beretta M-9 handgun at the Combat Arms Training and Maintenance range here March 3. Once construction is completed for a partially-contained firing range, property behind the range will be available for other uses. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Benjamin Wiseman/RELEASED)

M-9 ready to go

MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- A Moody Airman prepares to fire the Beretta M-9 handgun during weapon qualifications here March 3. The staff members of the Combat Arms Training and Maintenance range qualify about 3,500 military members a year. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Benjamin Wiseman/RELEASED)

CATM constrution

MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- The Combat Arms Training and Maintenance range will have new hours of operation starting April 5 due to construction on a new partially-enclosed firing range. The CATM site will start holding classes Monday through Thursday and allow groups to fire on Fridays. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Joshua Green/RELEASED)

CATM construction to result in enhanced training capabilities

Published March 31, 2010
By Airman 1st Class Brigitte Brantley
23rd Wing Public Affairs

MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- For the next six to eight months, the Combat Arms Training and Maintenance range is scheduled to have different hours of operation due to ongoing construction.

This construction, scheduled to begin April 5, will result in a fully-contained range that will enhance future training for all units, especially the 820th Security Forces Group.

In order to accommodate for the construction, the classroom portion of CATM training will take place Monday through Thursday, and Friday will be designated as firing day.

"While construction is going on, class schedules will be slightly different," said Tech. Sgt. Michael Whitlock, 23rd Security Forces Squadron combat arms NCO in-charge. "Classroom sessions will be held the first four days of each week and then everyone will shoot to qualify on Friday. The biggest change is that individuals will now have to come to the CATM range twice instead of once."

The range will also be available on weekends for overflow from the shooting session on Friday and for squadrons who need additional mass training. Some security forces troops will also have to go off base to train.

"During this time period, the troops from our group will also have to conduct off-base training in other locations," said Master Sgt. Daniel Logan, 820th SFG combat arms NCO in-charge. "We usually go to these locations anyway to complete training not supported by this range, such as machine gun qualifications. We will now just incorporate the regular requirements into these trips."

The rebuilt site won't take the place of the training done off base, but it will incorporate technology that can better prepare security forces Airmen for combat.

"Most ranges are built with a life expectancy of approximately 20 years," said Sergeant Logan. "The new innovations that will be present in the completed range will allow us to train with our mentality of 'shoot, move, communicate.'

"We are moving away from the traditional firing line and our Airmen will be able to simulate useful situations such as dismounting from a tactical vehicle," he added. "It makes them even more prepared for combat since they are practicing scenarios they could very likely encounter while deployed."

In addition to being able to support tactical vehicles, the range will also feature tactical baffles.

"These baffles will catch any fired rounds, eliminating the need for a surface danger zone behind the range," said Sergeant Logan. "Currently, we have a 3,600-meter SDZ behind the range and the new layout will allow that land to be put to other use."

During construction, only individuals who are preparing to deploy or need to stay up-to-date for job requirements will be allowed to fire. Also, all incoming Airmen to the base must be qualified before arriving.