Photo By Staff Sgt. Hannah Dickerson | The 188th Wing Detachment 1 Razorback Range at Fort Chaffee Maneuver Training Center,...... read more read more
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EBBING AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, FORT SMITH, Ark. — The 188th Wing’s Detachment 1 Razorback Range is celebrating its 50th anniversary.
Since its founding in 1974, Razorback Range has evolved into one of the premier training facilities available to the Air National Guard (ANG). The range offers a comprehensive array of training programs, including air-to-ground combat and serving as the primary training site for ANG Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC) units nationwide.
“Razorback Range initially hosted units from Memphis, Tulsa and Fort Smith,” said Maj. Bradley Kremers, the Razorback Range operations officer. “The range was originally 177 acres with one officer, three enlisted members, a tractor, and a bulldozer, as well as only two targets: a bomb circle and a strafe pit.”
Now Razorback Range has four times the original staffing and an area that spans 1,000 acres. It features more than 40 diverse targets, and a variety of training environments designed to meet the rigorous demands of modern military operations. This growth ensures the units utilizing the range receive the comprehensive training necessary for success in the field.
Throughout the decades, Razorback Range has become a cornerstone of military preparedness, hosting active-duty units from the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps, as well as numerous NATO allies to effectively support operational readiness. The range has also become a vital training ground for various aircraft, including the A- 10 Warthog, F-16 Fighting Falcon and MQ-9 Reaper.
“Razorback Range provides a realistic training environment for all airframes,” said Master Sgt. Darren Aggus, a Razorback Range tactical air control Airman. “We support anything from JTACs’ weapons employment via close air support to threat emitter training against near-peer threats for fifth-generation fighters.”
Looking ahead, Razorback Range is committed to maintaining its role as the premier JTAC training facility while also expanding its capabilities to support the F-35 Lightning aircraft involved in the Foreign Military Sales mission at Ebbing. With a focus on innovation and adaptability, Razorback Range is poised to continue its legacy of excellence in military training for years to come.
| Date Taken: | 09.26.2024 |
| Date Posted: | 10.02.2024 09:06 |
| Story ID: | 481878 |
| Location: | FORT SMITH, ARKANSAS, US |
| Web Views: | 261 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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