{"id":17157,"date":"2023-06-30T15:04:30","date_gmt":"2023-06-30T15:04:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/?p=17157"},"modified":"2023-07-01T06:42:15","modified_gmt":"2023-07-01T06:42:15","slug":"targets-marine-corps-base-camp-blaz-installs-range-targets","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/?p=17157","title":{"rendered":"Targets! Marine Corps Base Camp Blaz Installs Range Targets"},"content":{"rendered":"
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DEDEDO, GUAM — <\/span><\/p>\n

Despite Typhoon Mawar\u2019s destruction across the island, the ongoing enhancements at the Mason Live Fire Training Range Complex are in full swing. Throughout May to July, Marine Corps Base Camp Blaz is installing static and moving targets on two of its four ranges at the Mason range complex.<\/p>\n

As their names suggest, automated, moving targets test the shooter\u2019s ability to lead and hit a target moving at different speeds, and static targets hone the basic, essential elements of marksmanship. Using static and automated targets provides better marksmanship feedback to the shooter.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis really is the next phase before the ranges can be operational,\u201d said Robert Ledyard, MCB Camp Blaz range officer. \u201cWe\u2019re looking forward to getting these ranges open for training which can happen as soon as this summer.\u201d<\/p>\n

The ranges are unique to Guam; there are no other ranges on this island or in this region that accommodate the Marine Corps training requirements. Additionally, these ranges can be used by local and federal agencies such as the Guam Police Department and the Guam Army National Guard.<\/p>\n

\u201cDuring the construction phase of the ranges, many local units and visiting agencies have shown a lot of interest in what these range capabilities bring to the region,\u201d said Ledyard. \u201cWe are looking forward to providing the current innovative training capabilities to these units that train on Guam.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2018Every Marine a rifleman\u2019 is part of the Corps\u2019 warrior ethos. Marksmanship gives the Marines the confidence and skills required for more in-depth training, like live-fire exercises and military operations in urban terrain.<\/p>\n

\u201cMarksmanship is the foundation of Marine Corps training,\u201d said Col. Christopher Bopp, commanding officer of MCB Camp Blaz.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur job is to fight and win wars, and we must ensure our Marines and Sailors are trained to go into harm\u2019s way in defense of this nation. We owe it to them, and we owe it to their families.\u201d Col. Christopher Bopp, commanding officer of MCB Camp Blaz<\/cite><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The next phase before opening the ranges is planned for this summer, when qualified marksmen will test the targets to ensure they work properly. Specifically, each automated, moving target is flanked by sensors that relay shot information back to the shooter. The information provided by the sensors lets the shooter know if they need to adjust or maintain their aim.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve been working closely with the Guam Army National Guard to identify expert shooters to help us ensure our automated targets and their sensors are calibrated correctly,\u201d said Ledyard.<\/p>\n

There are only two range complexes in the Marine Corps that have automated technology. Other Marine Corps ranges require Marines to hold and walk with the targets from a secure location to simulate movement, but as the Corps\u2019 newest range, the Live Fire Training Range Complex will have automated moving targets.<\/p>\n

However, not all the targets are automatic; the static targets will still require Marines to \u2018pull pits\u2019 or manually lower, lift, and mark the shooter\u2019s target.<\/p>\n

While four of the five ranges are forecasted to be operational this summer, construction for the Multi-purpose Machine Gun Range won\u2019t be completed until late 2024.<\/p>\n

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\n Theissen Training System<\/span>
\n Photo by Gunnery Sgt. Rubin J. Tan<\/span><\/p>\n
Theissen Training System target holding mechanisms are shown on the pistol range at the Marine Corps Base Camp Blaz Live-Fire Training Range Complex (LFTRC) on Guam, May 9, 2023. The systems will be used for the Marine Corps Annual Rifle Qualification and have the capability to provide users with a moving target. Once operable, the LFTRC will be available to be utilized by local government agencies, the Department of Defense and their partners.<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Live Fire Training Range Complex Environmental Considerations- Limestone Forest<\/p>\n

As part of the 2011 Programmatic Agreement for every acre of limestone forest developed for the relocation, the Navy and Marine Corps remain committed to restoring the same acreage of Guam\u2019s forests. Forest restoration includes the removal of deer and pigs, protection of threatened and endangered species, and replanting of native trees. The objective is to reintroduce native, healthy trees and plants to help transform the forests back to their original biodiversity.<\/p>\n

Specific to the Live Fire Training Range Complex, 89 acres of the 315 acres needed to build the ranges were comprised of a healthy, native limestone forest. The rest of the forest was disturbed by limestone forests and grassland. Additionally, the forests across the Northern Plateau are negatively impacted by invasive deer and pigs that prey on native plant saplings. This predation threatens the propagation of native plants and opens the door for invasive species to thrive.<\/p>\n

To date, almost 700 acres of forest have been cleared of pig and deer, more than 900 native trees have been planted or transferred to conservation sites, and more than 40 species of rare, high-value, or federally listed plants have been grown in Camp Blaz\u2019s nurseries. Despite Typhoon Mawar\u2019s devastation to forests across the island, the environmental team will continue its forest restoration and conservation efforts across Camp Blaz.<\/p>\n

Live Fire Training Range Complex Environmental Considerations – Storm Water Runoff<\/p>\n

Bullets from training are caught by the berm built up at the end of every range and behind the targets. Each range has its own berm, which looks like a grassy hill, that was specifically built based on the range size and the type of ammunition allowed for that specific range. At the end of a three-year period, each berm will be cleaned, and the bullets will be removed and recycled.<\/p>\n

The stormwater runoff system pretreats stormwater flowing from the range. This filtration includes limestone aggregate, geotextile fabric, PVC liner, limestone substrate, and sand. While the entire northern half of the island sits atop the Lens Aquifer, the Live Fire Training Range Complex is outside Guam’s Groundwater Protection Zone, with the closest well more than two miles away and located on Andersen Air Force Base.<\/p>\n

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DEDEDO, GUAM — Despite Typhoon Mawar\u2019s destruction across the island, the ongoing enhancements at the Mason Live Fire Training Range Complex are in full swing. Throughout May to July, Marine Corps Base Camp Blaz is installing static and moving targets on two of its four ranges at the Mason range complex. As their names suggest, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":17159,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-17157","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17157","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=17157"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17157\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":17160,"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17157\/revisions\/17160"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/17159"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=17157"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=17157"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=17157"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}