SBCT Final EIS - Govsupport.us

Chapter 2 ⎯ Description of the Proposed Action and AlternativesAs discussed above, the SBCT would meet its individual, crew served (multi-person), and collectiveunit live-fire training requirements on the appropriate training ranges. Live-fire training facilitieswould be located at different training sites in Hawaii as part of this alternative. A vast majority of theincrease in live-fire activities would occur at SBMR and PTA because these are the primary locationswhere Soldiers are able to conduct weapons qualifications. The descriptions below capture where amajority of increased live-fire qualifications would occur.25 Meter Zero Range: The SBCT would use this range to train Soldiers in basic marksmanship. Itwould be used to support M16 or M4 rifle firing as well as that of crew served machine guns. Thisrange is currently located at SBMR.Qualification Training Range: The SBCT would use two QTRs to maintain proficiency in basicmarksmanship skills. The QTR is a multi-functional range that can also meet the training requirementsof the MRF when land may not be readily available for several different types of ranges. TheQTRs would be used to qualify Soldiers on pistol qualification and basic rifle marksmanship, machinegun qualification. Because USAG-HI lacks an MK–19 range, the MK-19, a 40mm automaticgrenade launcher, would fire training rounds on QTR 1.Hand Grenade Qualification Course: The SBCT would train on techniques for employing hand grenadesin close combat at SBMR.Anti-Armor Tracking Range: The SBCT would use this range complex to meet training requirementsfor medium and heavy anti-armor weapons systems. This range is used to train Soldiers in identifying,tracking, targeting, engaging, and defeating moving armor targets individually or in tactical array.The 2/25 th would engage in live-fire qualification requirements for anti-armor tracking at PTA.Battle Area Complex: SBCT crews and dismounted Soldiers would use the BAXs constructed atSBMR (Figure 2–4) and PTA (Figure 2–5) to test their ability to detect, engage, and defeat stationaryand moving enemy targets in open and urban terrain. The BAX would be used for company CAL-FEXs at SBMR and up to battalion or brigade CALFEXs at PTA. The BAX would be used by Strykerreconnaissance and infantry units for conducting collective operations in training as well as convoylive fire setting. The upgraded 11T firing area located partially within the PTA BAX construction site(Figure 2–5) would be used by the MGS for gunnery training and for the firing of 105 mm trainingrounds until the BAX is completed.Urban Assault Course: The SBCT would use this facility to train its individual Soldiers, squads, andplatoons on tasks necessary to operate within a built-up/urban area. There are six training stationswithin the UAC. Some stations of the UAC involve live-fire training while others involve trainingwith simulated and blank rounds. The UAC live-fire training would take place at SBMR (Figure 2–4).Combined Arms Collective Training Facility: The SBCT would use this facility to conduct clearing,breaching, offensive, and defensive operations in an urban setting. It provides an urban environmentfor the SBCT to practice combat skills. Simulated munitions and short-range training ammunition(SRTA) would be used at the CACTF at KTA.Impact Areas: The impact areas within USAG-HI would be impacted by the increased firing activitiesof SBCT Artillery, mortars and indirect fires. The SBCT would use existing firing points to conductincreased levels of indirect fires training. The SBCT comes equipped with 155 mm howitzers, whichare a larger caliber than the 105 caliber howitzers used by the 2/25 th ID (L).February 2008 2–26 2/25th SBCT Final EIS