1

Barry M. Goldwater RangeBarry M. Goldwater Range

I n t e g r i t y - S e r v i c e - E x c e l l e n c e

56 RMO

Enhanced Use Lease Site Visit

BMGR-E Compatibility Brief

2

Purpose

Provide information to industry on BMGR user scope, potential energy source compatibility, and operational implications in support of HQ USAF enhanced use lease program

• Mission of parent wing and range• Range/land location• User scope• Type of operations supported• Scope of daily operations• Case study areas of interest / operational implications• Proposed Site Close Up

3

Our Mission

• 56th Fighter Wing Mission• “Train the World’s Greatest F-16 Pilots and Maintainers,

While Deploying Mission Ready Warfighters”

• 56 RMO• Provide superior range operations which enhance the training

and testing of assets that protect American interests• Responsible for 56 FW airspace and the Barry M. Goldwater Range East

(BMGR-E) to include Gila Bend Air Force Auxiliary Field (GBAFAF)

– Provide a positive balance between the munitions employment areas and the environment surrounding them

– Protect the natural & cultural resources entrusted to our care

– Balance requirements with responsibilities to the public, tribes, and the environment

4

BMGR Location

BMGR-E USAF Managed Land(1.05 M Acres)

Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge

Tohono O’Odham Reservation

Gila Bend AFAF

• Border of Arizona and Mexico• BMGR land jointly managed by

Marine Corps, MCAS Yuma (BMGR-W) and USAF, Luke AFB (BMGR-E)

5

BMGR Complex User Scope Irreplaceable National Training Asset

Exercises WTI, JAGCE, Angel Thunder, Crimson Eagle, 12 AF OTHER USERS: JTACs, Navy, USMC, Army, other USAF, FMS

Regular Users – 23 Flying Squadrons • 56 FW (Luke) 8 x F-16 Sq• 162 FW (Tucson) 4 x F-16 Sq Snowbirds Guard / FMS • 355 WG (DM) 3 x A-10 Sq• 563 RQG (CSAR) MC-130 / HH-60 / SERE• 305 RQS (AFRC) HH-60• WAATS (Silverbell) 2 x AH-64 Co Peace Vanguard FMS AH-64 • 1 – 285th BN AH-64 Co• 2 – 285th BN HH-60

6

• Davis Monthan: Only A-10 Training Unit– 150 Students per year (3 yr avg)

• Tucson: Largest ANG F-16 Training Unit– 180 Students per year (3 yr avg)

• Luke: Only Active USAF F-16 Training Unit

• 450+ Students per year (3 yr avg)

Strategic Importance

7

Training—Test Support / UsePrimary mission of the range:Air-to-Air & Air-to-Ground Employment

• Inert and live weapons employment• Precision guided—Non eye safe laser ops • Altitudes: Surface to 50K MSL

8

BMGR-E Operating Areas

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Range 4Range 3

Range 2

Range 1

North Tactical

South Tactical

East Tactical

Air-to-Air

SELLS Military Operating AreaR-2301E

R-2305

R-2304

Gila Bend AFAFDZ

DZDZ

LZ

LZ

DZ: Drop ZoneLZ: Landing Zone

Multiple sub-ranges in use simultaneously supporting multiple missions

9

GBAFAF and VicinityGila Bend AFAF is not your typical “aux field”

• Base for airfield and downrange operations and maintenance (contract)\

• Primary use: Pattern Practice / Diverts

• Pays for itself every week as an emergency field but also has training significance• Pattern operations, random SFO exposure invaluable• USAFA jump ops • A-10 turns for missions into YPG, Chocolates• Helo staging to include coalition forces• Wildland fire response (air attack) base• CSAR infil/exfil training• USMC Weapons Tactics Instructor Course employment

• Night operations• Run lights on/off operations in support of aircraft ops

• Jump operations occur on the airfield and within the Class D airspace ~ 4NM southwest

• Assault landing operations at Aux-6 located 5NM west of the field

12

Mil Operations—EUL Compatibility

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City

Interstate

State Route

Military Training Route

Auxiliary Airfield

TAC Airspace

Restricted Airspace

BMGR East

Limited area for consideration based on current target and maneuver areas

Gila Bend AFAF

Case Study Area of Interest

13

Gila Bend AFAF

Mil Operations vs Areas of Interest

3 Potential Sites Identified in Assessment

Designated Drop Zones for personnel and equipment

Aux-6 C-130 patterns ~~~

GBAFAF F-16 traffic

Compatible? Yes but with sighting and design de-confliction requiredPreferred Siting Option

14

Proposed Site Close Up

Property line ~ approximate

Aux-6 LZ/DZ

White Hills DZ

Proposed EUL site: ~ 2700 acres

Gila Bend AFAF

N

15

Property line ~ approximate

Aux-6 LZ/DZ

White Hills DZ

Proposed EUL site: ~ 2700 acres

Gila Bend AFAF

N

Property line ~ approximate

Aux-6 LZ/DZ

White Hills DZ

Proposed EUL site: ~ 2700 acres

Gila Bend AFAF

NN

Assessment

• EUL for alternate energy sourcing is a positive and offers a viable buffer to boundary encroachment

• Proposed areas leverage access and infrastructure• Land sites encompass acreage desired for viable investment• Accessible from highway yet restricted public access• 69 kV transmission line travels Hwy 85 right-of-way

• Proposed land parcel within BMGR is part of withdrawn public land (DoD and USAF manage land under 1999 Lands Withdrawal Act for extended military use) and its use for other than military requires consultation with DOI

• Operational considerations / access must be further addressed

16

Questions