17th SFS range reopens Published May 1, 2012 By Staff Sgt. Tong Duong 17th Training Wing Public Affairs GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- The 17th Security Forces Squadron recently reopened their indoor firing range here after two years of renovations April 16. Upgrades to the 14 lane shooting range include changing the angles of overhead containment baffles as well as updating the filtration system to improve air circulation, a move that Tech. Sgt. Ray Hagemeister, NCOIC Combat Arms section said improves the training environment. The renovations started with the baffles, which were designed to absorb, deflect or fragment projectiles, Hagemeister said. In doing so, it was discovered that the thickness of the metal was wrong. The baffles required a minimum thickness of 3/8 inch versus the 1/4 inch contractors used during a previous update to the southern part of the range. Shortly after updating the baffles, 17th Civil Engineer Squadron Bioenvironmental found a discrepancy in the air flow of the range. There should be 75 feet per second of air flow into the range; and six to seven percent more air being pulled out to create a negative airflow. The old system did not work as planned, Hagemeister said. Fellow security forces members appreciate the upgrades as well. "From a safety stand point, we don't have to worry about the frangible dust filling the air, that's a big plus, especially if you have children at home," said Master Sgt. Rick Kawas, 17th SFS, reports and analysis NCOIC. "Air flow is a lot better as you don't have to breathe all the particles in - that makes a huge difference. This is my ninth assignment and it's the best range I've seen." For the last two years, range times for pistol, rifles and machine gun qualifications were at the mercy of the San Angelo Police Departments schedule. "We were using SAPD's firing range and could only be out there on days they weren't using it," Hagemeister said. "It was fine for the most part, except when you had last minute deployers and you don't have any range time available, then it becomes a mission stoppage. Now that our range is reopened it's not a problem," In the short time since it's reopening, the range has already saved the base time and money. "The time to drive to and from the SAPD range, setting up and tearing down after getting everyone qualified, we've cut the costs of fuel and transportation," he said. With an estimated down time of two weeks, the 17th SFS' range upgrades stretched to two years. Despite the setbacks, the reopening of the range benefits security forces members, future deployers and saves the base time and money.
