Combat Arms Firing Range under construction Published May 24, 2010 By Tech. Sgts. Robert Duerr and Jason Gabel 52nd Security Forces Squadron SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany -- Firing on the Spangdahlem firing range can be a little unnerving for both the shooters and the instructors. Some may have had the pleasure of having a hot piece of brass land on your neck and burn you. Others may have had an instructor kick your feet while they are trying to get to a student who needs assistance. All of this is happening while you are trying to concentrate on hitting the target, so you can qualify and leave for one of those wonderful desert paradises. All of these small pleasures and challenges will temporarily come to a halt because, starting Oct. 1, the range will be closed for an alteration project to correct some issues and is not projected to re-open until June 2011. This project will cost $1.7 million and bring the range within 95 percent compliance level of the governing engineering technical orders. The Spangdahlem range was first constructed in 1995 and since then there have been new requirements on how a range should be constructed. The Combat Arms section identified 21 discrepancies according to the latest engineering technical orders for ranges, making this project necessary to meet the tougher standards. Some of the main alterations will allow for a safer and more efficient environment for both the student and instructor on the range. To meet the standards set forth by the engineering technical orders, the range will no longer have 19 firing points; this number will drop to 14. This change will coincide with the 1-7 instructor to student ratio. The ventilation wall will be moved back eight feet to provide more room for maneuverability for all personnel and give the tower operator a better view of the firing line. A new ventilation system will also be installed to allow the range to meet the airflow standards thus minimizing the daily lead exposure of the students and instructors. In addition, the company that installed the bullet containment system in 2007 will replace the impact plates at no cost to the unit or wing. The impact plates have flexed causing the chamber mouth to become too narrow. This narrowing has prevented rounds from entering the deceleration chamber buildup of bullet fragments around the chamber mouth possibly ricocheting back to the firing line endangering personnel. Of course, eye protection is mandatory to avoid eye injuries, and with the protection of the Kevlar helmet and interceptor vest, tiny round fragments should pose no problem. Since the range is scheduled to be closed for about eight months, there are some things the Combat Arms section would like to make everyone aware of. This closure is happening during the coldest and wettest parts of the year and the temporary range will be located outside. Security Forces is working with U.S. Air Forces in Europe to determine the best possible location to hold firing in the absence of the Spangdahlem range, but it will be at least an hour commute to get there. Please prepare yourself mentally if you are going to be firing during this closure because you will be cold and wet while you are shooting. In addition, the appointment will take you away from your work centers for two full days to allow for the classroom training portion and the firing of the weapon. Combat Arms personnel will do all they can to make this transition as smooth as possible for all shooters. Please have patience and understand what you will have to endure for two days, the instructors will endure the same for approximately nine months. In due time, the Spangdahlem firing range will be up and running and better than ever.