Barry M. Goldwater Air Force Range
Encyclopedia
The Barry M. Goldwater Air Force Range (formerly Luke Air Force Range) is a bombing range in the U.S. state
of Arizona
that runs along the Mexican border.
It is used for bombing practice by United States Air Force pilots in A-10s
and F-16s, and Marine Corps pilots in F-18s and AV-8B Harriers.
The entire range is approved for day and night operations. Four controlled, manned, and electronically scored surface attack ranges are available for pilots to practice basic air-to-surface weapons deployment, including bombing, rocket delivery, and strafe. Additionally, three expansive, uncontrolled tactical ranges are available. Each of these tactical ranges spans several hundred square kilometers, and each contains two airfield mockups plus many diverse arrays of targets, including structures, vehicle convoys, aircraft, and armor. These ranges are used to train pilots for strike
and close air support
missions, and support various types of live ordnance. Furthermore, JTACs
from various services and countries frequently train on the same ranges and direct the air attacks. An air-to-air gunnery range is also available.
Near the center of the range complex, Gila Bend Air Force Auxiliary Field
(near Gila Bend, Arizona) serves as an emergency landing strip for pilots training on the ranges.
The Air Force operates the eastern portion of the BMGR (south of Interstate 8
) while the Marine Corps operates the western portion.
The primary users of the range include aircraft from Davis–Monthan Air Force Base, Luke Air Force Base
, and MCAS Yuma
.
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 Arizona
Arizona
Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
that runs along the Mexican border.
It is used for bombing practice by United States Air Force pilots in A-10s
A-10 Thunderbolt II
The Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II is an American single-seat, twin-engine, straight-wing jet aircraft developed by Fairchild-Republic in the early 1970s. The A-10 was designed for a United States Air Force requirement to provide close air support for ground forces by attacking tanks,...
and F-16s, and Marine Corps pilots in F-18s and AV-8B Harriers.
The entire range is approved for day and night operations. Four controlled, manned, and electronically scored surface attack ranges are available for pilots to practice basic air-to-surface weapons deployment, including bombing, rocket delivery, and strafe. Additionally, three expansive, uncontrolled tactical ranges are available. Each of these tactical ranges spans several hundred square kilometers, and each contains two airfield mockups plus many diverse arrays of targets, including structures, vehicle convoys, aircraft, and armor. These ranges are used to train pilots for strike
Airstrike
An air strike is an attack on a specific objective by military aircraft during an offensive mission. Air strikes are commonly delivered from aircraft such as fighters, bombers, ground attack aircraft, attack helicopters, and others...
and close air support
Close air support
In military tactics, close air support is defined as air action by fixed or rotary winged aircraft against hostile targets that are close to friendly forces, and which requires detailed integration of each air mission with fire and movement of these forces.The determining factor for CAS is...
missions, and support various types of live ordnance. Furthermore, JTACs
Joint terminal attack controller
A Joint terminal attack controller is the term used in the United States Armed Forces for a qualified military service member who, from a forward position, directs the action of combat aircraft engaged in close air support and other offensive air operations. The term used historically and in...
from various services and countries frequently train on the same ranges and direct the air attacks. An air-to-air gunnery range is also available.
Near the center of the range complex, Gila Bend Air Force Auxiliary Field
Gila Bend Air Force Auxiliary Field
Gila Bend Air Force Auxiliary Field is a United States Air Force auxiliary airfield used as an emergency landing facility by Luke Air Force Base aircraft and units from other nearby bases using the Barry M. Goldwater Air Force Range complex...
(near Gila Bend, Arizona) serves as an emergency landing strip for pilots training on the ranges.
The Air Force operates the eastern portion of the BMGR (south of Interstate 8
Interstate 8
Interstate 8 is an Interstate Highway in the southwestern United States. It runs from the southern edge of Mission Bay at Sunset Cliffs Blvd, in San Diego, California, almost at the Pacific Ocean, to the junction with Interstate 10, just southeast of Casa Grande, Arizona...
) while the Marine Corps operates the western portion.
The primary users of the range include aircraft from Davis–Monthan Air Force Base, Luke Air Force Base
Luke Air Force Base
Luke Air Force Base is a United States Air Force base located seven miles west of the central business district of Glendale, in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States. It is also about west of Phoenix, Arizona....
, and MCAS Yuma
Marine Corps Air Station Yuma
Marine Corps Air Station Yuma or MCAS Yuma is a United States Marine Corps air station which is the home to multiple squadrons of AV-8B Harrier IIs of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron 1 and Marine Fighter Training Squadron 401 , an air combat adversary...
.