Several areas on base designated as off-limits

  • Published
  • By DJ Babbitt
  • 377th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
KIRTLAND AFB, N.M. --  Service members, cyclists, runners and hikers often take advantage of the sunshine, mild weather and the vast open spaces on Kirtland Air Force Base.

With the proximity of the mountains and openness at Kirtland, it may be easy to forget that you're actually on a military installation. However some areas are off-limits.

Tech. Sgt Shawn Hardesty, Combat Arms Instructor for the 377th Security Forces Squadron, said "All who work and play on base need to be aware of off-limit areas. Off-limit areas are marked with warning signs along entrances and boundaries."

Unless coordinated through the 377th Security Forces Group Combat Arms section or the 377th Air Base Wing Ground Safety office, these areas are off-limits to all personnel at all times.
Off-limits areas include:
· The Combat Arms facility (including an 850-meter surface danger zone) at Building 706, South Gate Road, near the south gate of Kirtland AFB.
· The security forces special weapons range in Frustration Canyon, approximately two miles southeast of the Starfire Optical Range in the Coyote Canyon area, including the 6,700-meter surface danger zone around the impact area of Mount Washington (including the Manzano Fire Lookout Tower).

Individuals entering the surface danger zone during weapons firing are at risk of life-threatening hazards caused by secondary fragmentation. Additionally, privately owned weapons are not allowed in these areas. "People illegally entering these areas will be held liable for their actions, said Hardesty. "Trespassing is not only illegal, but is also extremely dangerous due to no-notice live firing and other hazards inherent to ranges."

Violating off-limit areas, for military members will result in charges of failure to obey, a lawful order or regulation.
The underlying purpose is to protect the safety of all personnel.
Hardesty points out, "You can't always hear when a weapon is fired due to wind and terrain. In the mountains of Coyote Canyon, that couldn't be more true. In the past, we had to call a cease-fire due to people driving, jogging or biking into our impact area. Please do not enter any of the surface danger zones on base, even if you think no one is around or shooting."