Largest small arms range in United Kingdom reopens at RAF Molesworth

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Brian Stives
  • 501st Combat Support Wing Public Affairs
RAF MOLESWORTH, United Kingdom --  Twelve Airmen from the 423rd and 422nd security forces squadrons at RAF Alconbury and RAF Croughton were among the first people to qualify at the RAF Molesworth small arms range after it reopened Oct. 15.

The firing line was shut down in 2010 due to lack of use and the training was handed over to RAF Feltwell. However, RAF Feltwell was becoming overwhelmed with the number of personnel needing training and U.S. Air Forces in Europe decided that reopening the Molesworth range was the most efficient solution.

"Members of the 501st Combat Support Wing have been qualifying at RAF Feltwell," said Master Sgt. Grady Driver, 423rd Security Forces Squadron logistics and readiness superintendent. "By having the training here at RAF Molesworth instead of travelling to RAF Feltwell, we can help the wing save more than $146,000 annually."

There were many people involved with getting the 26-firing-point range ready for business.

"The year-long project couldn't have been completed without the help of the 423rd Civil Engineer Squadron," said Driver. "They completed multiple projects to make sure things were within U.S. and U.K. safety specifications."

"For the different jobs we used 12 people, six from structures and six from heavy equipment (Dirt Boys)," said Tech. Sgt. Jason Kerkaert, 423rd CES heavy repair NCOIC. "Also, our engineering assistants helped out with mapping and working the new safety boundary."

The CE squadron fixed a number of safety issues by pouring concrete, washing and painting the firing line, installing lane numbers, and refurbishing boundary signs. Large numbers of birds had moved into the range during its two-year hiatus, so workers installed netting to make the area safer for humans and wildlife alike.

Department of Defense employees within the 501st Combat Support Wing and 352nd Special Operations Group will use the range to qualify with M16 and M4 rifles, M9 and M11 handguns, and M870 shotguns. The 423rd SFS Combat Arms Training and Maintenance section will conduct training Monday through Thursday, and three new instructors are inbound to assist with the increased workload.