Marines


Range Management
Twentynine Palms Logo
Twentynine Palms, California
Marine Air Ground Task Force Training Command and Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center

Provide Range Control services for the proper scheduling, safe validation and real-time management of unit and service level readiness training being conducted within the Range, Training Area, and Airspace assigned to MAGTFTC MCAGCC.

Range Management SharePoint

Director Range Management 760-830-7112
Range Safety 760-830-7112
Range Development 760-830-7467
Range Scheduling 760-830-6313
Range Control (BEARMAT) 760-830-6623/6535
Range Laser Safety Unit (Safety) 760-830-7112
Range Training Areas Maintenance Section (RTAMS) 760-830-6172

The Range Control Unit provides range/training area and airspace control, medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) control and a means of passing and receiving essential information to all commands engaged in training at the Combat Center. Control of training activities aboard the Combat Center is accomplished through a combination of radio coordination with the range control facility and through range inspectors who monitor various training activities.

RANGE CONTROL FREQUENCIES

Ground Frequency Primary 41.95
Ground Frequency Alt. 38.50
Rotary Wing Primary 323.725
Fixed Wing Primary 276.45
Military Guard Frequency 243.0
Civilian Guard Frequency 121.5

Range Control Officer 760-830-6945
Range Control Floor Supervisor 760-830-6535/6623

The Range Safety Unit enforces safety and inspection standards/regulations on all ranges and training areas (less rifle and pistol ranges). In the event that a safety violation is discovered, the Range Safety Inspector imposes an immediate cease fire, if necessary, and directs required corrective action. Each Range Inspector serves as a direct representative of the Director, Operations and Training for control of the entire training complex, including laser certifications and range briefs.

Safety Inspector 760-830-7112
DSN 230-XXXX

The Range/Training Areas Maintenance Section (RTAMS) maintains all Combat Center training areas, training facilities, and ranges (less the rifle and pistol ranges) and provides target construction and emplacement in support of the Combined Arms Exercise Program.

This unit also does minor construction and makes improvements to new or existing ranges.

OIC 760-830-6172
Deputy 760-830-6050
Supply 760-830-3652
FAX 760-830-4913
DSN: 230-XXXX

The Range Scheduling Unit provides a single scheduling authority for all Combat Center controlled or owned airspace, training areas, and ranges, less the rifle and pistol ranges. Range Scheduling also coordinates airspace use with the Federal Aviation Administration. Requests to use the Combat Center's RTAA must be submitted a minimum of five working days prior to the first day of use.

  Many of the Combat Center's numbered ranges have been designed for a specific purpose and should be utilized for that purpose only.


Priorities

MCO 3500.11D states that the mission of MCAGCC is to conduct a Combined Arms program (CAX). The formal CAX program has priority aboard MCAGCC. All other training is scheduled on a "first come, first serve" basis. Other activities which may affect scheduling priorities are:

  • Real World Contingencies

  • Range Maintenance

  • EOD Clearance Operations

  • Those directed by the Commanding General, MCAGCC

Note: These circumstances may take priority over previously approved range requests.

Unit Priority
TTECG Sponsored Mojave Viper Events
ATG Sponsored Transition Team Events
1st Tanks Block IV PTP Events during Summer Heat and Steel Knight
EWTGPAC
IOC /AAS BN
EWS
29 Palms TENANT Units (45 days out)
Mojave Viper Unit (White Space) Events (30 days out from EMV TD-1)
Operational Unit Training
Developmental Testing
Coalition Training

TTECG's Priority
Live-Fire Training Areas
Range 106 (RSO&I days 4-6)
Range 113 (TD's 1-5)
Range 200 Series
Range 220 D/H/I/U/W
Ranges 400 Series

ATG's Priority
Range 113A
Range 220 A/H/O/S
Quackenbush (South-West Corner)
Gypsum Ridge (North-West Corner)
Emerson Lake (South-East Corner)
Acorn (North-East Corner)

Tenant Unit Training
Tenant units have priority on all ranges and TA's when requested 45 days out (except R106 & R-113)
and R-113A (ATG priority) and R-105A (7th Marines).
Mojave Viper Units (white space training only)
Priority ends 30 days prior to TD-1 of the exercise/Mojave Viper TD-1 = Day 5 of RSO&I week.


Procedures

RTAA's may be scheduled by the following methods:

Range Facility Management Support System (RFMSS) via Local Area Network (LAN) or Dial-In modem (Preferred Method). Access can be obtained on RFMSS web site https://rfmss.belvoir.army.mil

Message Text Format (MTF) or E-Mail (include unit, range/RTA, time/date, type weapons, type ordnance, time hot, number of personnel, number of vehicles, identify RSO, and POC and phone number). Right click to download Training Activity Request Form for training.


Joint Use

Joint usage or "piggy-backing" of RTA's is not authorized under any circumstances. The Range Scheduling Officer, under the cognizance of the Director, Range Management & Development Division (RMDD), shall retain final authority in assigning all RTA's aboard the Combat Center. 

Note: If a unit does not appear on the daily range training schedule, Bearmat will not allow them to enter the RTAA.


Deviations

CMC Memorandum TQL-11/5000, dated 27 Oct 94, designated the Combat Center as a Reinvention Laboratory, which grants the Commanding General, MCAGCC, deviation authority over any Marine Corps Order and Bulletin as they pertain to training aboard the Combat Center. Requests for relief from the requirements of the reference and other orders must be submitted directly to the Commanding General, MCAGCC.

Requests for Deviations to CCO 3500.4 (RTAA SOP) should be submitted to the Commanding General, MCAGCC, ATTN: AC/S G3, prior to the commencement of any exercise. The request for deviation should include:

  • The specific restriction requested to be deviated.

  • The impact the restriction imposes on the training objective.

  • Surface Danger Zone (SDZ) Diagram drawn to 1:50,000 scale.

  • Hazard Analysis/Safety Risk Assessment.


Coordinator

During any large scale exercise, the Officer Conducting the Exercise (OCE) will assign an Exercise Coordinator. The primary functions of the coordinator are to handle scheduling requests from the exercise force and to serve as a point of contact between the exercise force and the Combat Center in order to reconcile any problems that arise.


Cancellation

Range scheduling may be canceled in the following manner:

  • Resident units: via telephone with a written follow up.

  • Nonresident units: via cancellation message or LAN (RFMSS).

Cancellation is not effective until written notification is received by Range Scheduling.

Units have one hour beyond the scheduled start time to occupy a range. If the range has not been occupied after one hour, the range will be considered a "no-show" & will be cancelled. Notify Range Scheduling (during working hours) or Bearmat (after working hours)of any unexpected delays.

Note: Numbered ranges and contractor-run ranges (103, 107, 108, 109, 111, 113, 400, 410A and 500) in particular must be canceled at the earliest time possible, but not less than 24 hours prior to scheduled time.


Conflict

The Range Scheduling Officer will resolve all range scheduling conflicts per range priorities and the following procedures:

  • Time of receipt of the range requests.

  • Operational commitments scheduled.

  • Whether joint usage can be conducted safely. If so, one unit will be designated as primary user and all others as secondary users for the RTA.


Restrictions

Automated Ranges
Range 500 is limited to one 16 hour block of time per day, with every seventh day reserved for maintenance. All other automated reanges are limited to one 10 hour block per day (except R109 is limited to 12 hours).

Range 500 is scheduled on an annual basis for resident commands. Normal scheduling includes six firing days followed by one day of maintenance (two maintenance days required between separate commands).

400 Series Ranges
During a EMV evolution, only units participating in the EMV may use the 400 Series Ranges. All other times, the 400 Series Ranges may be scheduled with a minimum of one day between units to allow for a police of the range, rebuilding of trenchlines and EOD clearance.


RTAA

Under certain circumstances, units may request permission to assume control of portions of the R-2501 from Bearmat during large scale exercises. Permission of the Director, RMDD, is required. The OCE must submit a request to the Range Scheduling Officer a minimum of 90 days prior to the exercise and provide the following information:

  • Concept of Operations. A description to envision specific usage of the entire RTAA.

  • A breakdown of activity dates from arrival to range police and departure.

  • Participating units and higher headquarters (HHQ) coordinator.

  • Deviations required per Combat Center Order 3500.4 (Range SOP).

  • Identification of a Direct Air Support Center (DASC) for airspace control.

  • Acknowledgment of the requirement to assign a dedicated Exercise Coordinator by name and billet.

  • A minimum 72-Hour period for dedicated range police.


Airspace Coordination Meeting
An Airspace Coordination Meeting with BEARMAT and DASC must be scheduled by the exercise force prior to the first flight in support of the exercise.

Note: The checklist for Passage of Control can be found in CCO 3500.4, Chapter 5, Figure 5-1.

Scheduling Officer 760-830-6454
Scheduling Chief 760-830-1721
Scheduling Office 760-830-6313
760-830-1724
DSSN 230-XXXX
Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms