Navy welcomes SFS to Anacostia firing range

Staff Sgt. Winter Gibson, 11th Security Forces Squadron combat arms non-commissioned officer in charge at the Naval Support Activity Washington Armory; Gunners Mate 2nd Class Chamnol Cheng, small arms marksmanship instructor; and Tom Ridenour, weapons handler; watch over SFS members as they fire Sept. 14 at the Anacostia Armory/Range on Anacostia. What used to be a firing range for only U.S. Navy members, now houses both the Navy and the Air Force. With joint basing rapidly approaching, the 11th Security Forces Squadron and the members at the Anacostia Armory/Range have already made the transition. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Marleah Miller)

Navy welcomes SFS to Anacostia firing range

Published Oct. 15, 2009
By Senior Airman Marleah Miller
11th Wing Public Affairs

BOLLING AFB, D.C. -- As joint basing rapidly approaches, the 11th Security Forces Squadron and the members at the Anacostia Armory/Range have already made the transition.

What used to be a firing range for only United States Navy members, now houses both the Navy and the Air Force. Before moving to the Anacostia Armory/Range, SFS members had to travel to the firing range located at Andrews Air Force Base, Md. For some, the travel to Andrews was not a pleasant task and they are happy with the change.

"I like going to the Navy range," said Airman 1st Class Chaderick Campbell, 11th SFS flight armorer. "Simply, it ends up being a faster process."

When traveling to Andrews, it made for a long day of qualifications.

"Going round trip to Andrews is 32 miles, not to mention the occasional traffic," said Staff Sgt. Winter Gibson, 11th SFS combat arms non-commissioned officer in charge at the Naval Support Activity Washington Armory. "It further delayed training time."

Not only was traffic an issue, but with an outdoor range, night-time qualifications had to wait until after sunset.

"In the summer months when it takes longer to get dark, firing sequences don't begin until approximately 10 p.m. and end roughly around 1 a.m.," said Sergeant Gibson. "Morning shift personnel might get a total of the three to four hours of downtime before having to report the following day for work."

At that point, senior leaders knew there had to be a more efficient and cost-effective way to accomplish the bi-annual training.

"It started out as an Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st Century initiative," said Capt. Julia Jefferson, 11th SFS deputy commander. "Why drive a 32-mile round trip, when you can drive only a mile to the Navy range on the other side of the base? It made sense to save on gas and travel time and not waste training time."

There were other advantages that emerged from the decision as well.

"Night firing," said Capt. Jefferson. "Instead of waiting for it to get dark outside, the Navy range is indoors, so it was only a matter of flipping a switch to simulate night conditions."

With all of the perks that SFS received from the Navy sharing its range, the personnel at the range received some extra helping hands from Air Force personnel, also.

"Within that agreement, SFS would provide us with two personnel for full-time support for the facility," said Gunners Mate Chief Surface Warfare John Bias, NSAW armory officer in charge. "One combat arms instructor and one armorer who can also qualify Navy personnel in accordance with the Navy Small Arms Weapons and Training Instruction."

These two members, Sergeant Gibson and Senior Airman Christopher Turfitt, 11th SFS armorer, maintain the same certifications as their Navy counterparts and are held to the same standards.

"Airman Turfitt, who joined me here in April 2009, and I work here full time," said Sergeant Gibson. "We have received ample training from the Navy to be armorer and range safety officer certified. In return, the Navy members at the range are familiarized with how we operate."

Since joining the Navy at their firing range, the ease in performing qualifications has been noticed.

"I have been working here since early June 2008," said Sergeant Gibson. "SFS members began using the range late June after I became Navy armorer/range safety officer certified. On average, we get three to four days per month and each quarter we are able to qualify 63 personnel."

As a result, the foundation in joint basing has clearly been established between the Navy on Anacostia and Bolling's Security Forces.

"I believe the whole joint basing effort will bring the Navy and Air Force together to form an ultimate command capable of both air and sea power projection," said Sergeant Gibson.

The NSAW armory officer in charge agrees.

"If joint basing is the way of the future," said GMC(SW) Bias. "11th Wing Security Forces and the members here at the Anacostia Armory/Range are already there."