Avon Park Air Force Range
Encyclopedia
The Avon Park Air Force Range (APAFR) is a United States Air Force
bombing range and air-ground training complex in the U.S. state
of Florida
located east of the city of Avon Park.
under the name of Avon Park Army Air Field. The Third Air Force
used the airfield for training B-17 air crews in air-to-ground bombing and for antisubmarine patrols.
After World War II ended, the base was closed and placed in a caretaker status. In 1949, the base was transferred to the newly created U.S. Air Force and renamed Avon Park Air Force Base.
In 1956, the base was renamed again to Avon Park Air Force Range. At this time a major improvement program was begun to include storm drainage, sanitary sewer, electrical and water systems, roads, bridges, runways, fencing and over 500 buildings. These structures included chapels, administration buildings, dormitories/barracks, recreation facilities, airfield and main base fire stations, mess halls, residences for married personnel, and other miscellaneous structures. At its height, the base spread across 218000 acres (882.2 km²).
Over the succeeding years the US Air Force declared much of the land surplus and disposed of it. The last major divestment in 1983 brought the range to its current size.
The host unit for the APAFR is Detachment 1, 23d Wing
, which is a subordinate unit of the 23d Wing
(23 WG), an Air Combat Command
(ACC) composite fighter and rescue wing located at Moody Air Force Base
, Georgia
. In addition to the Avon Park Air Force Range, Det 1 also oversees the Deployed Unit Complex (DUC), a flight line facility at nearby MacDill AFB for transient military flight crews, maintenance crews and aircraft utilizing APAFR. This permits visiting squadrons to have ready access to APAFR while concurrently taking advantage of the more robust billeting, messing and maintenance support capabilities at MacDill AFB. This combination of facilities provides extensive, diversified and convenient training airspace and ranges with unique training capabilities for military air, ground and air-to-ground training.
The Florida Army National Guard
also maintains a ground support facility at APAFR.
With successive divestitures of real property and reductions in permanent party military, civil service and contractor personnel assigned to APAFR, many of the facilities constructed during the 1950s have been turned over to the State of Florida. The state's Department of Corrections operates the Avon Park Correctional Institution (APCI) on site for adult male offenders utilizing former USAF dormitory/barracks facilities, while the Department of Juvenile Justice operates the Avon Park Youth Academy for low to moderate risk juvenile offenders/delinquents utilizing former base housing.
Other facilities at APAFR that continue to be maintained by USAF and that are outside the core operational mission include morale, welfare and recreation (MWR) facilities, primarily camping, boating and hunting facilities for active and retired military personnel.
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
bombing range and air-ground training complex in the U.S. state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
located east of the city of Avon Park.
History
APAFR was first opened during World War IIWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
under the name of Avon Park Army Air Field. The Third Air Force
Third Air Force
The Third Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Forces in Europe . It is headquartered at Ramstein Air Base, Germany....
used the airfield for training B-17 air crews in air-to-ground bombing and for antisubmarine patrols.
After World War II ended, the base was closed and placed in a caretaker status. In 1949, the base was transferred to the newly created U.S. Air Force and renamed Avon Park Air Force Base.
In 1956, the base was renamed again to Avon Park Air Force Range. At this time a major improvement program was begun to include storm drainage, sanitary sewer, electrical and water systems, roads, bridges, runways, fencing and over 500 buildings. These structures included chapels, administration buildings, dormitories/barracks, recreation facilities, airfield and main base fire stations, mess halls, residences for married personnel, and other miscellaneous structures. At its height, the base spread across 218000 acres (882.2 km²).
Over the succeeding years the US Air Force declared much of the land surplus and disposed of it. The last major divestment in 1983 brought the range to its current size.
Current state
APAFR consists of approximately 106000 acres (429 km²) of land of which about 82000 acres (331.8 km²) are open to the public for recreation, provided there are no ongoing military missions. APAFR includes Avon Park Air Force Auxiliary Field (also known as MacDill AFB Auxiliary Field). The operational airfield consists of an 8000 ft arresting gear-equipped main runway, a limited-operational control tower, an aircraft rescue and firefighting facility and limited ramp and hangar facilities. There are no published instrument approach procedures and the airfield is limited to military aircraft conducting VFR operations. Due to deferred airfield maintenance issues, the airfield is currently closed to all flight operations other than light general aviation aircraft used by APAFR personnel for range monitoring issues and to military jet or rotary-wing aircraft experiencing in-flight emergencies on or in the vicinity of the Avon Park Military Operations Area (Avon Park MOA) for which an emergency divert to MacDill AFB is not practical.The host unit for the APAFR is Detachment 1, 23d Wing
23d Wing
The 23d Wing is a front-line United States Air Force Air Combat Command wing currently assigned to Moody Air Force Base, Georgia.-Mission:The mission of the 23d Wing is to organize, train and employ combat-ready A-10, HC-130 and HH-60, as well as pararescuemen and force protection assets...
, which is a subordinate unit of the 23d Wing
23d Wing
The 23d Wing is a front-line United States Air Force Air Combat Command wing currently assigned to Moody Air Force Base, Georgia.-Mission:The mission of the 23d Wing is to organize, train and employ combat-ready A-10, HC-130 and HH-60, as well as pararescuemen and force protection assets...
(23 WG), an Air Combat Command
Air Combat Command
Air Combat Command is a major command of the United States Air Force. ACC is one of ten major commands , reporting to Headquarters, United States Air Force ....
(ACC) composite fighter and rescue wing located at Moody Air Force Base
Moody Air Force Base
Moody Air Force Base is a United States Air Force installation located in Lowndes County and Lanier County, about northeast of Valdosta, Georgia, United States.Moody Air Force Base is home to the 23d Wing...
, Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
. In addition to the Avon Park Air Force Range, Det 1 also oversees the Deployed Unit Complex (DUC), a flight line facility at nearby MacDill AFB for transient military flight crews, maintenance crews and aircraft utilizing APAFR. This permits visiting squadrons to have ready access to APAFR while concurrently taking advantage of the more robust billeting, messing and maintenance support capabilities at MacDill AFB. This combination of facilities provides extensive, diversified and convenient training airspace and ranges with unique training capabilities for military air, ground and air-to-ground training.
The Florida Army National Guard
Florida Army National Guard
The Florida Army National Guard is a component of the United States Army and the United States National Guard. Nationwide, the Army National Guard comprises approximately one half of the US Army's available combat forces and approximately one third of its support organization...
also maintains a ground support facility at APAFR.
With successive divestitures of real property and reductions in permanent party military, civil service and contractor personnel assigned to APAFR, many of the facilities constructed during the 1950s have been turned over to the State of Florida. The state's Department of Corrections operates the Avon Park Correctional Institution (APCI) on site for adult male offenders utilizing former USAF dormitory/barracks facilities, while the Department of Juvenile Justice operates the Avon Park Youth Academy for low to moderate risk juvenile offenders/delinquents utilizing former base housing.
Other facilities at APAFR that continue to be maintained by USAF and that are outside the core operational mission include morale, welfare and recreation (MWR) facilities, primarily camping, boating and hunting facilities for active and retired military personnel.