Firing Range at YARS Opens for Business

VIENNA TOWNSHIP, Ohio – After planning began more than 2 years ago, the Youngstown Air Reserve Station opened the doors on Building 521, the Indoor Combat Arms Range, with a ribbon-cutting Friday.

Congressional members from Ohio’s delegation and the Eastern Ohio Military Affairs Commission were present, as well as former 910th Airlift Wing Commander and CEO of the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber, Col. James Dignan.

“Our reserve citizen airman deserve the best training, the best equipment and leadership to implement our national defense strategy,” said 910th Airlift Wing Commander Col. Dan Sarachene. “This facility is the culmination of a lot of effort. We appreciate the level of commitment and shared relief in the readiness that we value in our airmen. We want to thank our congressional delegation here that worked the levers of government to finalize the approval of this project and ensure financing.”

Sarachene said the project came in under budget at $8.5 million.

“Thanks to the civil engineer team who worked day in and day out to keep this installation modern and well running and those who put the plans to paper,” said Sarchene.

The indoor range can be used year-round for training with weapons ranging in size from pistols to 50-caliber guns. The building can also be blacked out to simulate night fighting with night vision equipment. The facility is large enough to accommodate vehicles for advanced training.

Pictured: Indoor firing range at YARS.

“I could not be more excited about our new facility,” said Master Sgt. Brody Grazier, 910th Security Forces combat arms non-commissioned officer in charge. “Our capability to provide support for our local law enforcement is going to be amazing from this point forward. This is my new home, where I will be working daily.”

The new facility will be used in partnership with local, state and federal law enforcement agencies for training. Sarachene said that local agencies will be coming to the firing range for in the coming weeks for their first visit.

“A lot of law enforcement are using antiquated facilities and now with this modern facility we have the ability to help them as well,” said Sarachene.

Pictured: John Salley, chief of Strategy, Readiness and Force Development Division, director of Security Forces, Air Force headquarters ; U.S. Rep. Jim Renacci, D-16 Ohio; U.S. Rep. Bill Johnson, D-6 Ohio; U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan, D-13 Ohio; U.S. Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio; 910th Airlift Wing commander Col. Dan Sarachene; Col. Thomas  White, legislative liasion, Air Force headquarters , secretary of the Air Force; Col. Donald Wren, commander at 910th Mission Support Group; former 910th Airlift Wing Commander and CEO of the Youngstown-Warren Regional Chamber,  Col. James Dignan; Maj. Nicholas Megeysi, operations officer of 910th Security Forces Squadron; Edward Smuke, 910th Airlift Wing base civil engineer; and Mike Coates Sr., firing range general contractor, Coates Construction.

Copyright 2024 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.