CATM range reopens after upgrades

Airman 1st Class Jennifer Boll, 509th Contracting Squadron, fires during a combat arms training and maintenance qualification course at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., Nov. 1. Boll, and others in her class, was the first to shoot at the newly renovated firing range. The range opened with new sound barriers, a bullet trap and ventilation system and target holders.(U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Cody H. Ramirez) (Released)

CATM range reopens after upgrades

Tech. Sgt. Christopher Camara, 509th Security Forces Squadron’s Combat Arms NCOIC, assist an Airman with a weapon’s jam at the Whiteman CATM range. The 509th Security Forces Combat Arms Training and Maintenance firing range re-opened Nov. 2. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Cody H. Ramirez) (Released)

CATM range reopens after upgrades

Airmen walk to their during combat arms training and maintenance qualification course at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., Nov. 1. This class was the first to shoot at the range since it went through recent renovations; adding sound barriers to the baffling, new target holders and a new bullet trap and ventilation system. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Cody H. Ramirez) (Released)

CATM range reopens after upgrades

Staff Sgt. Melkeiveus Lovett, 509th Security Force Squadron combat arms training and maintenance journeyman, teaches students proper shooting stances during a CATM course at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., Nov. 1. Starting this month, the Whiteman CATM team will begin teaching the new Air Force stand for weapons qualification. Recently finished renovations to the firing range had prevented the CATM team from conducting the full qualification course sooner. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Cody H. Ramirez) (Released)

CATM range reopens after upgrades

During the in-class portion students are taught how to line up their sights with the targets. With the CATM range reopened, the Combat Arms team will begin instructing Airmen on new Air Force weapons training and certification requirements. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Cody H. Ramirez) (Released)

CATM range reopens after upgrades

Published Nov. 9, 2012
By Airman 1st Class Nathan Tucker
509th Bomb Wing Public Affairs

WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. -- The 509th Security Forces Squadron's Combat Arms Training and Maintenance firing range re-opened Nov. 2, after being closed for six months for safety and sound upgrades.

Planning for the $2 million project began last year, with actual renovation starting in April 2012.

According to Tech. Sgt. Christopher Camara, the renovations and upgrades were necessary.

"The first step of this project was to install some acoustic baffling to absorb some of the noise," Camara, 509th Security Forces Squadron's Combat Arms NCOIC, said.

Previously, noise levels reached 170db. With the new baffling, the levels were reduced to approximately 120dbs. Other improvements included repouring the range's concrete surface that begun to crack after nearly 10 years of consistent use.

The addition of a new ventilation system allows air to blow from the rear of the range and past shooters so they are not exposed to any lead or other toxins in the air.

The most important aspect of the upgrade was the installation of an $850,000, start-of-the art bullet trap to collect rounds fired downrange. The previous bullet trap had become a potential risk from show signs of stress and deterioration.

"We installed an action-target bullet trap to contain all the rounds we fired to make sure that they don't leave the range and hurt anyone." Camara said.

The upgrades didn't lessen Combat Arms team's mission to ensure and maintained 100 percent weapons training and certification on Whiteman Airmen; the upgrades just provided the team an opportunity to find other training avenues.

"During the upgrades, CATM instructors arranged to transport Airmen to the range at Camp Clark, Missouri to complete firing requirements,"
Camara said.

Airman 1st Class Jeffery Bowen, CATM student from the 509th Maintenance Squadron, said the CATM made him more comfortable firing an M4.

"I learned a lot in this class about sighting and trigger control. I never really fired guns before because I grew up in the city. I learned a lot in from this CATM course."

Now that the improved range is opened, Camara stated that Combat Arms will begin instruction on new Air Force weapons training and certification requirements.

"We will be starting the new Air Force qualification course which is double the amount of rounds, and it also adds a new element of short-range combat, geared more for personnel deploying overseas."