Current Training Activities
At the Fallon Ranges, the Navy trains both naval air and ground forces in all phases of pre-deployment combat training, including basic, intermediate, and advanced training phases, and at the individual, unit, and integrated levels.
The Navy’s primary mission for the Fallon Ranges is to train aviation units that deploy on aircraft carriers worldwide in all mission areas associated with “integrated strike warfare.” The objective of the “integrated” phase is to train aircrews working with individual aircraft types (such as the F/A-18 Hornet, MH-60 Seahawk, E-2 Hawkeye, and EA-18G Growler) to work in combination with other aircrews and aircraft types in situations similar to real-life combat.
A secondary mission for the Fallon Ranges is to train individual aviation units in the intermediate and advanced-level phases of combat. Training is provided through courses called the Advanced Readiness Phase (ARP) of training. Each aircraft type has an ARP course. For example, there is a Strike Fighter ARP for the F/A-18, and a Helicopter ARP for the MH-60 Seahawk.
An additional mission of the Fallon Ranges is to train weapons and tactics instructors in the combat tactics associated with their aircraft type. Upon graduation, the instructors return to their fleet squadrons and teach these tactics and techniques to the rest of the squadron aircrew. The most well-known of these courses is the TOPGUN fighter weapons school.
The Fallon Ranges are also home to a tactical ground mobility course for Naval Special Warfare personnel. The course is an intensive, four-week training course where Navy SEALs learn the limitations of their vehicles, as well as basic maintenance and tactical driving skills. SEALs also take a joint close air support course to become certified as joint terminal attack controllers. Controllers must integrate with aviation units overseas in support of the joint warfare mission called close air support.
Public Safety
Keeping the public and military personnel safe is of utmost importance to the Navy. To ensure safety and allow for realistic training, the Navy implements safety planning actions and would continue to apply them in proposed withdrawal areas. Safety planning includes:
- Restricting public access from hazardous ordnance activities (fencing off the bombing ranges)
- Ensuring target areas are unoccupied prior to ordnance activities; ranges used for these activities would be closed and restricted from public use
- Conducting routine cleanup of training ranges
- Working with local communities on compatible land use development
Economic Contributions
In 2015, Naval Air Station Fallon generated more than $517 million in total economic benefit for Churchill, Lyon, and Washoe counties. Economic benefits come from operations, contracts, payroll, and visitor spending.