PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- Thule Air Base, Greenland officials tested its first-ever indoor shooting range Sept. 10, 2020 after completing construction last month.
The range enables the 821st Security Forces Squadron to maintain their lethal capabilities all year round, regardless of the weather.
Upon being released from restriction of movement due to Covid-19, government contractors began working the same day on the new 50-foot range, and a week later they completed it.
“This is a two-pronged solution… this range drastically enables our weapon proficiency whilst satisfying PCS requirements for all outbound overseas Airmen—a true force multiplier,” said Chief Master Sergeant Micah Graves, 821st SFS security forces manager.
This will allow the 821st SFS members to maintain their small arms qualifications and sharpen their marksmanship skills. The range also provides defenders the capability to complete all necessary marksmanship requirements prior to moving to another base, which alleviates additional in-processing burdens for both gaining installations and Airman.
“It [firing in a complete indoor range] was an exciting and humbling experience. The range is something I have never seen or experienced before,” said Tech. Sgt. David Krogh, 821st SFS logistics and resources manager, remarking about how it felt firing the first rounds down the new range. He went on to explain some of the facility’s safety features, “The range has two firing lanes and can be locked on the inside so that no one can interfere with the firing process.”
Additionally, the new facility recreates real world lighting scenarios to ensure the 821st defenders are prepared for any situation regardless of visibility.
This Chief of Staff of the Air Force directed initiative is the first-ever indoor shooting range for Thule AB, and will ensure base Defenders are always ready to protect and defend the Air Force’s northernmost installation.
As a final note, Krogh remarked, “One of the best parts [of the indoor range] is that it’s fully heated, with Thule’s subzero temps, it’s a great thing to have.”