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Gen. Mike Minihan, Commander of Air Mobility Command, visits the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station June 8, 2024.

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Groundbreaking ceremony for new indoor small arms range

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Andrew Caya
  • 914th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
NIAGARA FALLS AIR RESERVE STATION, N.Y. --  The Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station hosted a ground-breaking ceremony on Tuesday, March 22, 2011 for a new indoor small-arms firing range.

This $6.2 million project is slated to be built on the installation and will continue efforts to provide for more efficient military and federal government operations in Western New York.

Estimated to be completed in early 2012, the fully enclosed facility will house 21 firing lanes enabling the United States military, Department of Defense, and federal and local law enforcement agencies the opportunity to weapons qualify their members in a state-of-the-art training environment year-round, saving thousands of dollars in range fees and manpower requirements.

"The addition of this range will increase the combat readiness of the military units stationed at the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station and in Western New York," said Col. Mark Murphy, 914th Airlift Wing Vice-Commander. "In addition, the facility will provide federal law enforcement a flexible training platform to fulfill firearms training at a lower cost."

Since surviving the last Base Realignment and Closure Committee recommendations, the NFARS has remained a great contributor to the Western New York economy and continues to be the premier military installation and federal campus in Western New York.

These statements were echoed by Congresswoman Louise Slaughter of New York State's 28th Congressional District.

"This base is one of the best in the United States. " Congresswoman said. "The [Airmen] who fly in and out of this base and the job they do on their missions is unparalleled. Not only does the base do wonderful work internationally and for the military, but it's a very important part of the economy of Niagara County."