New shooting range hits the mark

By STEVE REEVES, Fort Jackson LeaderJanuary 21, 2010

New shooting range hits the mark
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT JACKSON, S.C. -- People looking to sharpen their weapons skills or just have some fun now have a new shooting range available to them at Fort Jackson.

Actually, it's not a new range. It's Aachen Range on Golden Arrow Road.

But Aachen Range, used for military marksmanship training during the week, is now open to all ID card holders every Saturday.

Daniel Cain, director of outdoor recreation for Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation, said the FMWR shooting range was moved from Andrew Jackson Rifle Range to Aachen Range in December.

"This is a lot nicer range for shooting," Cain said of Aachen Range.

Aachen Range has 28 shooting lanes that extend 200 meters. It can be used for both rifle and handgun shooting.

It costs $2 for ID card holders and $4 for guests.

Weapons have to be registered with the Directorate of Emergency Services.

Those who use the range periodically may apply for a temporary registration. The temporary registration is for one-time-only use and a new registration is required each time the weapon is brought on post.

Cain said a host of improvements are planned for Aachen Range, including the addition of a skeet and trap shooting range, which should be complete by the end of the year. Cain said he would also like to see the addition of a dedicated pistol range.

"We also want to start offering classes for our patrons," Cain said. Those classes would include courses on hunting, self defense and concealed weapon permit classes. Several FMWR employees are National Rifle Association trained instructors.

Cain said marksmanship is a great recreational activity, whether you are a hunter or sport shooter.

"Not as many people hunt as they used to," Cain said. "But shooting is one of the great leisure pastimes that we have available to us."

Cain said the range also gets a lot of use from Soldiers wanting to get in some extra practice with a firearm.

"If you know you're going to be deployed, this is a good way to get extra training," he said. "I want this to be a serious shooting program. Shooting is the keystone of being a Soldier."

Brian Fraley, a retired Army officer, was one of several people out at Aachen Range on a recent Saturday firing several of his large collection of handguns. Fraley describes himself as a serious gun enthusiast.

"I like to be good at shooting," he said. "I work hard at it."

But Fraley said coming out to Aachen Range offers more benefits than just the opportunity to hone his marksmanship skills.

"I just like to come out and hang with the rest of the guys," he said. "I can stay out here six or seven hours at a time, especially on a nice day."

For information, call 751-3484.