The Barry M. Goldwater Air Force Range
(formerly Luke Air Force Range) is a bombing range in the U.S. state
that runs along the Mexican border
It is used for bombing practice by United States Air Force pilots in A-10s
, and Marine Corps pilots in F-18s
The entire range is approved for day and night operations. Four controlled, manned, and electronically scored surface attack ranges are available for pilots to practice basic air-to-surface weapons employment, including bombing
, rocket delivery, and strafe
. Additionally, three expansive, uncontrolled tactical ranges are available. Each of these tactical ranges spans several hundred square kilometers, and each contains two airfield mockups plus many diverse arrays of targets, including structures, vehicle convoys, aircraft, and armor. These ranges are used to train pilots for strike
and close air support
missions, and support various types of live ordnance. Furthermore, JTACs
from various services and countries frequently train on the same ranges and direct the air attacks. An air-to-air gunnery range is also available.
Near the center of the range complex, Gila Bend Air Force Auxiliary Field
(near Gila Bend, Arizona
) serves as an emergency landing strip for pilots training on the ranges.
The Air Force operates the eastern portion of the BMGR (south of Interstate 8
) while the Marine Corps operates the western portion.
The primary users of the range include aircraft from Davis–Monthan Air......