Naval Weapons Systems Training Facility Boardman
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The Naval Weapons Systems Training Facility Boardman, informally known as the Boardman Bombing Range, is a military installation south of Boardman, Oregon in the United States. It is used by NAS Whidbey Island as their principal training grounds for testing EA-18G Growler aircraft and for drone testing.[3][4] It is located about 70 miles (110 km) south of the Yakima Training Center, which is used by Joint Base Lewis-McChord for training exercises and about 15 miles (24 km) west of the now closed Umatilla Chemical Depot.
Naval Weapons Systems Training Facility Boardman | |
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Morrow County, Oregon Near Boardman in the United States | |
Coordinates | 45°41′21″N 119°45′33″W45°41′21″N 119°45′33″W[1] |
Area | 47,000 acres (190 km2)[2] |
Site information | |
Owner | Department of Defense |
Operator | United States Navy |
Open to the public | Partial |
Site history | |
In use | 1941 - Present |
Garrison information | |
Current commander | Chief Machinist’s Mate Steven P. Peña Jr. |
The range was established by the U.S. Army Air Force in 1941 as the Arlington Bombing Range, being originally named after Arlington to the west.[5][6] The range is used frequently throughout the year.[3] Beyond its primary operator at NAS Whidbey Island, the installation is also used by Oregon National Guard units based in Pendleton and Klamath Falls.[7] About half of the original property was distributed to non-military operators when the Air Force transferred the site to the Navy.[5] The range is also an important ecological site, with parts of it being federally protected.[8]