Close neighbors: Range leaders and residents connect during 10th annual Moses Tour

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt. Beth Woodward
  • 388th Fighter Wing public affairs
Over 70 residents in communities surrounding the Utah Test and Training Range gathered for updates on the Air Force mission during the 388th Range Squadron's 10th annual 'Moses Tour' Nov. 5-6 in Montello, Nev. and Callao, Utah.
 
Community members visited with airspace and test program experts at a local restaurant and school to learn about flying operations and voice their concerns.
 
"These briefings have gone a long way in fostering a great working relationship with residents in and around the range," said Mr. Jerry Angus, 388th RANS, chief of airspace management. 

During the Moses Tour, members of 388th RANS and Col. Walter Sams, commander of the Reserve 419th Fighter Wing here, presented video footage and briefings on the types and significance of range operations. In addition to training Dept. of Defense aircrews for air-to-air and air-to-ground combat, the UTTR is an ideal location for testing and evaluating weapons that require a large safety footprint, like cruise missiles.
 
Since the Moses Tour briefings began in 1998, community support has grown for the approximately 15,000 sorties flown each year on the range. 

"This event is about being a good neighbor," said Mr. Angus. "As we meet residents and educate them on the range mission, they become more understanding of seeing and hearing aircraft in their areas." 

Montello, a town of 200 people in Nevada's Elko County, and Callao, a town of 100 in Utah's Juab County, are ranching communities under a portion of the UTTR's 2.3 million acres of airspace. 

"It gives us a good feeling to know you're up there taking care of us," said Ms. Leah Layland an 84-year-old resident of Callao. 

Over 250 military, civilians and contractors work to support the 388th RANS' $30 million annual operating budget to ensure war fighters are prepared to bring relevant, versatile and lethal airpower to any conflict.