Melrose range to help new Cannon AFB

CANNON AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. (AP) - The Air Force Special Operations Command says the 66,000-acre Melrose Air Force Range near Cannon Air Force Base will become a key air-to-ground combat training area.

The deputy group commander for the 27th Special Operations Group at Cannon, Lieutenant Colonel Paul Caltagirone, calls the Melrose range the crown jewel of the western home of the air commandos.

Several additions are planned.

Caltagirone says those include two impact zones for certain types of weapons firings; drop zones for troops and cargo for the CV-22s and C-130s that will be flying at Cannon; and at least one
landing zone for C-130s, CV-22s and small aircraft.

The range also will be used for ground training. A military operations and urban terrain site is being built.