FORT LEE, Va. (Aug. 22, 2013) -- Fort Lee Range 4 -- previously an M-16 and M-4 qualification range -- is fully operational now after many months of construction.
The project included 12 lanes for M-16 and M-4 qualification, as well as three lanes to support M-249 qualification. The range also accommodates training on the MK-19. There is also a zero range included as part of the package, which is located next to Range 4. The project cost was $8.2 million for the construction, and an additional $825,000 for the targetry.
"It's a modernization of the old range that used to be here," said Mike Finnegan, Range Operations specialist. "That range was a pop-up computerized range as well, but this is a newer version with new targets."
The first group to use the facility was Army Logistics University students in the Basic Officer Leader Course Tactics class during their qualification testing Monday and Tuesday. Willie Lee Jr., a retired command sergeant major, is the senior trainer for the class, and said the range offers the qualifiers a much better experience.
"The old range had separate mounds and back part it was stopped by trees," said Lee. "It could hurt (those trying to qualify) because the 300-meter target would come up but you couldn't see it because it would blend in.
"This new range is great," he continued. "You're shooting downhill because it slopes a little bit and it also extends out much farther so the 300 meter targets are in the middle of the range."
The additional length of the field of fire -- out to 800 meters -- gives Soldiers a better range to qualify on because they can see their targets more clearly, said Finnegan.
"You can definitely see the difference from the old range to this range on their scores," he said. "The targets are a lot more identifiable, and there's no doubt which targets are in your lane."
One of the students in the BOLC tactics class -- 2nd Lt. Jameson Frederick, Quartermaster BOLC 012-13 -- said he's trained at other ranges while in officer candidate school and said this one was great compared to the others.
"The biggest difference I noticed was that there were full silhouettes beginning at the 50 meters all the way to 300 meters, whereas other ranges just have the shoulders up," he said. "It's easy to see the silhouettes against the backdrop.
"This range is really great," he continued. "There's no alibi for any errors. If you miss, it's completely your fault. Everything is just perfect."
Frederick was one of the many officers who shot expert during their M-16 qualification this week.
The new range is all-inclusive for units, said Finnegan. It includes the 12-lane qualification range, a zero range, a classroom, feeding area, covered bleachers and rest rooms.
"The good thing about the new range is that is offers the unit a turn-key facility," he said. "Everything they need to help them qualify is here and ready to go."
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