1. Barry M. Goldwater Range
Enhanced Use Lease
Site Visit
BMGR-E Compatibility Brief
56 RMO
I n t e g r i t y - S e r v i c e - E x c e l l e n c e

2. Purpose
Provide information to industry on BMGR user scope, potential energy source compatibility, and operational implications in support of HQ USAF enhanced use lease program
Mission of parent wing and range
Range/land location
User scope
Type of operations supported
Scope of daily operations
Case study areas of interest / operational implications
Proposed Site Close Up

3. Our Mission 56th Fighter Wing Mission 56 RMO
“Train the World’s Greatest F-16 Pilots and Maintainers, While Deploying Mission Ready Warfighters”
56 RMO
Provide superior range operations which enhance the training and testing of assets that protect American interests
Responsible for 56 FW airspace and the Barry M. Goldwater Range East (BMGR-E) to include Gila Bend Air Force Auxiliary Field (GBAFAF)
Provide a positive balance between the munitions employment areas and the environment surrounding them
Protect the natural & cultural resources entrusted to our care
Balance requirements with responsibilities to the public, tribes, and the environment

4. BMGR-E USAF Managed Land National Wildlife Refuge
BMGR Location
Border of Arizona and Mexico
BMGR land jointly managed by
Marine Corps, MCAS Yuma (BMGR-W) and USAF, Luke AFB (BMGR-E)
Gila Bend AFAF
BMGR-E USAF Managed Land
(1.05 M Acres)
Cabeza Prieta
National Wildlife Refuge
Tohono O’Odham
Reservation

5. BMGR Complex User Scope Irreplaceable National Training Asset
Regular Users – 23 Flying Squadrons
56 FW (Luke) 8 x F-16 Sq
162 FW (Tucson) 4 x F-16 Sq
Snowbirds Guard / FMS
355 WG (DM) 3 x A-10 Sq
563 RQG (CSAR) MC-130 / HH-60 / SERE
305 RQS (AFRC) HH-60
WAATS (Silverbell) 2 x AH-64 Co
Peace Vanguard FMS AH-64
1 – 285th BN AH-64 Co
2 – 285th BN HH-60
Exercises WTI, JAGCE, Angel Thunder, Crimson Eagle, 12 AF
OTHER USERS: JTACs, Navy, USMC, Army, other USAF, FMS

6. Strategic Importance Luke: Only Active USAF F-16 Training Unit
450+ Students per year (3 yr avg)
The significance of the BMGR is that it has contributed immeasurably to the military preparedness of the US for decades.
- In the Persian Gulf War….
(click) and more recently in the war with Yugoslavia……..
Davis Monthan: Only A-10 Training Unit
150 Students per year (3 yr avg)
Tucson: Largest ANG F-16 Training Unit
180 Students per year (3 yr avg) 3 3

7. Training—Test Support / Use
Primary mission of the range:
Air-to-Air & Air-to-Ground Employment
Inert and live weapons employment
Precision guided—Non eye safe laser ops
Altitudes: Surface to 50K MSL

8. BMGR-E Operating Areas
Multiple sub-ranges in use simultaneously supporting multiple missions LZ DZ DZ DZ
Gila Bend AFAF
Range 3 LZ
Range 4
North Tactical
R-2305
Range 2
East Tactical
R-2304
Range 1
Air-to-Air
South Tactical
R-2301E
SELLS Military Operating Area
DZ: Drop Zone
LZ: Landing Zone

9. GBAFAF and Vicinity Gila Bend AFAF is not your typical “aux field”
Base for airfield and downrange operations and maintenance (contract)\
Primary use: Pattern Practice / Diverts
Pays for itself every week as an emergency field but also has training significance
Pattern operations, random SFO exposure invaluable
USAFA jump ops
A-10 turns for missions into YPG, Chocolates
Helo staging to include coalition forces
Wildland fire response (air attack) base
CSAR infil/exfil training
USMC Weapons Tactics Instructor Course employment
Night operations
Run lights on/off operations in support of aircraft ops
Jump operations occur on the airfield and within the Class D airspace ~ 4NM southwest
Assault landing operations at Aux-6 located 5NM west of the field

10. BMGR-E—EUL Compatibility
Compatible sources of energy on the BMGR-E based on competing military operations:
WIND
- Windmill farms incompatible with low level flying operations
- Potential for electro magnetic interference
WATER (hydroelectric)
- Extremely limited natural resource in the desert southwest
SOLAR
- Most viable source of alternative energy
- Can be configured to be compatible with military operations
Note. photovoltaic deemed compatible with military operations…
towered heat/wind generating structures non-compatible

11. BMGR-E Renewable Energy Case Study
BMGR-E and GBAFAF assessment
Air Force Real Property Agency sponsored study concluded in June 07
Conclusion:
Large scale solar plant feasible based on natural resource (solar) and availability of under utilized/developed tracks of land

12. Mil Operations—EUL Compatibility
Case Study Area of Interest
Gila Bend AFAF
Limited area for consideration based on current target and maneuver areas

13. Mil Operations vs Areas of Interest
Preferred Siting Option
Aux-6 C-130 patterns ~~~
GBAFAF F-16 traffic
3 Potential Sites Identified in Assessment
Designated Drop Zones for personnel and equipment
Gila Bend AFAF
Compatible? Yes but with sighting and design de-confliction required

14. Property line ~ approximate Proposed EUL site: ~ 2700 acres
Proposed Site Close Up
Property line ~ approximate
Aux-6 LZ/DZ
White Hills DZ
Proposed EUL site: ~ 2700 acres
Gila Bend AFAF N

15. Assessment
EUL for alternate energy sourcing is a positive and offers a viable buffer to boundary encroachment
Proposed areas leverage access and infrastructure
Land sites encompass acreage desired for viable investment
Accessible from highway yet restricted public access
69 kV transmission line travels Hwy 85 right-of-way
Proposed land parcel within BMGR is part of withdrawn public land (DoD and USAF manage land under 1999 Lands Withdrawal Act for extended military use) and its use for other than military requires consultation with DOI
Operational considerations / access must be further addressed

16. Questions