Report to Congress on Sustainable Ranges, 2009
Abstract
The need to train as we fight is fundamental to our armed forces. Ranges are some of our most valued assets for they provide contiguous, unencumbered space to replicate, as closely as possible, the operational environment of an assigned mission. Installations and ranges are the foundation of our security because they are critical to maintaining the readiness and mission effectiveness of the United States (U.S.) military. These assets must be available when and where needed, with the capabilities to support current and future military mission requirements. Creating and maintaining a network of sustainable ranges is critical to U.S. national security. Sustaining the network of ranges in the long term requires a management framework that effectively addresses mission requirements, environmental protection, and the interests and aspirations of the local community. The Department of Defense (DoD) has developed the Sustainable Ranges Initiative (SRI) to create the framework for addressing these fundamental issues. This report represents the sixth in a series of reports required by Congress dealing with the Department of Defense's (DoD) efforts to provide for the long-term sustainability of its training ranges. In 2008, the Deputy Secretary of Defense reaffirmed the efforts of the SRI and endorsed seven specific future focus areas: 1) Mitigate pressures on training and test activities from competing land and sea space uses; 2) Address frequency spectrum competition; 3) Meet military airspace challenges; 4) Manage increasing military demand for range lands; 5) Address impacts from new energy infrastructure and renewable energy initiatives; 6) Anticipate climate change initiatives; 7) Prepare for evolving environmental oversight and regulation. As the SRI evolves, it will continue to assess the Department's abilities to train and test and focus on the direction provided by the Deputy Secretary to sustain the required capabilities.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 2009
- Accession Number
- ADA531453
Entities
Organizations
- Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel & Readiness