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Show MISSION i w - 1.1 13 Hilltop Times June 1, 1990 XDuQ DO ' jjiwii C3(D( f" ' - y" "kmtiti & t SWsJxhL- . - ' mi .i luiUfc 7tf,y"t -- wu?' " by David W. Harris Hilltop Times staff writer Out in the desert of Northwestern .Utah there is an oasis. It is the Utah Test and Training Range, an expanse of land in excess of 2,500 square miles. In the center of it all is a small military compound known as Oasis. ; Actually, Oasis is a misnomer. There f are no palm trees or refreshing natural springs. In fact, there are no trees at all and the only cool pool of water is the small swimming pool adjacent .: -t Jr-- ' Vv ' Vt ' to the recreation center. However, no matter how inhospitable the conditions, Oasis is home to many men and U.S. Air Fore women. It is also home to four squadrons the 2849th Support Squadron (Oasis), the 6501st Range Squadron, the 2721st Munitions Maintenance and Test Squadron and the 2701st Explosive Ordnance Disposal Squadron. Although officially attached to Hill AFB, their missions support many different units from all services. As part of the Department of Defense's Major Range and Test Facility Base, the range provides facilities for testing and evaluation of ordnance and munitions. It also supports military training for air-to-ai- r, Utah's Oasis Fighting Falcon makes a strafing run at targets on the Eagle Range. Above, SSgt. Dave Holman of the 2721st Munitions Maintenance and Test Squadron, inspects a Minuteman missile at the range's missile Top, an 6 The range mission control center, located at Hill, collects data provided by range instruments and processes the data for later use. 2721st Munitions Maintenance and Test Squadron The 2721st MMTS is responsible for testing all Air Force missiles and air munitions. The squadron also stores, ICBM handles, prepares and test-fire- s weapons delivery at the Eagle Range. 2849th Support Squadron (Oasis) Commanded by Maj. Vince Cushing, the 2849th SPTS is responsible for motors. They dissect and test solid-propella- nt motors and analyze tests projects performed at the range. In the past year, the missile and munitions test section has performed eight propogation tests consisting of more than a half million pounds of high explosives. The section also manages the Air Force's Minuteman Extended Survivability Program. They maintain and ship 240 lithium batteries in support of the Air Force intercontinental ballistic missle program. They also are responsible for transporting Minute-ma- n and Peacekeeper rocket motors. The motor dissection facility is one of a kind in the Air Force. It takes rocket motors so the apart solid-fue- l be can propellant analyzed and tested. They have also developed methods which have made such operations safer and faster. The 2721st MMTS also makes itself available for any other missions at the range that may require its assistance. The squadron is commanded by Maj. suDDortine the Oasis comDound and all workers assigned to the range. The fire department, civil engineering, security police and vehicle maintenance and, operations are all managed by the 2849th SPTS. The squadron is responsible for recreation, billeting and medical services. The squadron also maintains roads and targetes, provides security for the munition storage area and provides support for any other units using the range. 6501st Range Squadron The 6510st provides military support to range users and is responsible for managing the range facilities for the Department of Defense. Commanded by Lt. Col. Daniel J. Mulcrone, the 6501st provides testing facilities such as tracking radars, photo documentation d and data collection of range activities and missions, , , , , F-1- storage area. air-to-grou- nd highly-sophisticate- Photos by Dave Harris , , Ken .Knapp. t I . r i j I pen house scheduled The . Utah Test and Training Range will be holding an open house Thursday. Anyone from Hill AFB or the Salt Lake area may attend. The open house will feature several displays and range missions. A lunch of hamburgers, hot dogs, beans, chips and soda will also be served at a cost of $3. Two 45 passenger buses will leave Hill for the range at 7 a.m. Visitors will be picked up from Parking Lot 52 near the south gate on basis. a Visitors may also drive to the range. From Hill AFB, take West and drive South to toward the airport. Then take West toward Wendover. Take Exit 62 and immediately turn right. Fol low the paved road (which will veer to the left) and go 18 miles to Oasis. Driving time is about to two hours. Those wishing to attend must see their supervisors for the day off. The schedule is as follows: 2701st Explosive Ordnance and civilian ordnance that have been -- first-com- e, first-serve- d 1-- 1-- Disposal Squadron The 2701st EOD, commanded by Maj. Doug Murray, is another Air Force unit assigned to the range. Its primary responsibility is to clear the range of any unexploded live ordnance and see that it is disposed of safely. It's a dangerous mission, to be sure. The 2701st disposed of more than 450 tons of bombs from almost 35,000 acres of range area last year. EOD also dispppes,qf other military ii one-of-a-ki- nd one-and-a-h- alf 9 a.m. Welcoming remarks and safety notes from Maj. Vince Cushing, commander, 2849th Support Squadron (Oasis). 9:15 Explosives demonstration by 2701st Explosive Ordnance Disposal Squadron. 9:45 Test firing of an ICBM motor by the 2721st Munitions Maintenance and Test Squadron. 1 0 a.m. Exhibits and displays open from all range organizations. 10:30 Begin lunch service. 10:45 Army and Nationol Guard Apache helicopters arrive and go on static display. 1 p.m. Leave for Eagle Range complex. 2 p.m. Eagle Range missions begin, featuring Stratofortresses and Fighting Falcons, Lancers. 4 p.m. Leave Eagle Range for Oasis. 4:30 Buses leave for Hill. B-- B- -l declared unsafe or unserviceable. Ord nance is disposed by either a detonation or by burning. The 2701st must comply with all federal and state guidelines regarding ordnance disposal. All materials are consigned to approved disposal sites and landfills. Operations are planned so they do not disrupt nearby high-explosi- residents. . It is not an easy job, but it is neces- sary to keep the range area safe. .. .'J ',.' ,A. i. L'J . ve |