SBCT Final EIS - Govsupport.us

Chapter 2 ⎯ Description of the Proposed Action and AlternativesDigital Multipurpose Range Complex (DMPRC): This range includes multiple lanes for armoredvehicles, numerous targets, obstacles, and battle positions. It is used to train and test armor andinfantry platoons (four tanks per platoon) on skills necessary to detect, identify, engage, and defeatstationary and moving infantry and armor targets in a tactical array. Combined Arms Live-FireExercises (CALFEXs) would be conducted on this facility. It also supports dismounted infantryplatoon tactical live-fire operations either independently of, or simultaneously with, supportingvehicles. This is the culminating range for individual crews that have qualified on the DMPTR. In thecase of the SBCT, the range requirement for a BAX may also be met by a DMPRC.Combined Arms Collective Training Facility (CACTF): This facility teaches the skills and unitcohesiveness necessary to conduct clearing, breaching, offensive, and defensive operations in anurban setting. It may be 1.5 km by 1.5 km, depending on design, and provides a small city that wouldbe available for combined arms and collective training.In summary, TC 25–8 clearly defines the training range infrastructure required to ensure the SBCTcan adequately prepare itself for operational deployment. Access to the proper training range infrastructureis a critical component of need for the Proposed Action. It should be noted that the BAXwas designed specifically to support an SBCT. All ranges listed above, including the BAX, can supportuse by all other Army units. For the alternatives carried forward for evaluation in this EIS, thecapacity of each installation’s range infrastructure to support the 2/25 th SBCT was analyzed.2.2.4 Live-Fire Range UseThe 2/25 th would conduct semi-annual individual and crew served weapons qualifications, in accordancewith Army policy for maintaining trained and ready units. Crews, squads, and platoons wouldalso conduct collective training qualifications at least once every six months. In addition, larger unitsat the company and battalion level that comprise the SBCT would also conduct combined arms livefiretraining exercises to ensure proper integration and synchronization of its different types of unitsin combat scenarios.The SBCT conducts its live-fire training on the ranges described in the previous section. The 4,105Soldiers of the SBCT are authorized more than 13 million blank and live-training rounds of ammunitionand explosives. Table 2–2 below describes the different types of ammunition that would be usedto support the training of the 2/25 th SBCT.As noted in the Table 2–2, the SBCT is authorized considerably more training munitions than theIBCT. Approximately 70 percent of this increase in training ammunition is attributable to increasedammunition requirements for 5.5-mm caliber ammunition used to qualify Soldiers on their M–16 andM–4 rifles. This difference stems from two major factors. First, the SBCT has a greater number ofSoldiers than the IBCT. Second, the SBCT is currently authorized ammunition to train on advancedrifle marksmanship tasks of close quarters reflexive firing qualification. This qualification requires870 additional M–16/M–4 training rounds per Soldier per year, which are used to certify SBCT Soldiersin close combat tasks. While not part of the official ammunition authorization currently, it is anticipatedthat reflexive fire qualification will soon become a part of the IBCT standard requirementsin the near future, as well. In addition to increased rifle rounds, the SBCT fires more machine gunrounds because each Stryker vehicle is accompanied by a .50-caliber machine gun or other weaponsystem. All rounds and munitions are fired on approved Army ranges.February 2008 2–6 2/25th SBCT Final EIS