Live Bombing Delayed, New Commander Says

A new commander is overseeing several changes at the Avon Park Air Force Range.

In July, Lt. Col. Charles "Buck" MacLaughlin started work at what is commonly called the "Avon Park Bombing Range."

MacLaughlin said on Thursday that live bombing at the 107,000-acre U.S. Air Force range is probably at least a year away because of budgeting delays.

The married father of two said that the military is taking an active role to "responsibly protect the environment," including three species of endangered birds and several endangered plants found on the federal property located in Highlands and Polk counties.

MacLaughlin hopes to "protect and promote this range" and increase use of the property by both other service personnel and the general public.

The Gunnison, Colo., born Denver Broncos fan wanted to increase the ability of residents to enjoy the property for recreation.

All four military branches use the site along with the U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. National Guard.

The largest range east of the Mississippi River is a "one of a kind natural asset" and would likely never again be duplicated, said MacLaughlin.

"If we're going to be that 800-pound gorilla in the middle of the state, our job is to use all that space we're given," said MacLaughlin. "We maximize usage."

Cattle graze, timber is harvested and hunting is allowed when conditions permit. The Florida Trail runs through the property.

The 40-year-old commander supports live bombing by the U.S. Navy at the Avon Park facility.

Both conventional and tactical training is ongoing.

Conventional training gives pilots and other personnel a chance to aim at a bull's eye during target practice. Accuracy is scored.

Iraqi and Afghanistan topography is simulated with old tanks, jeeps, aircraft and an airfield environment serve as targets during tactical training.

"We set up a little town and tailor to what is going on in Iraq and Afghanistan as closely as possible," said MacLaughlin.

Pop-up targets and "Smoky SAMs" simulate "good guys and bad guys" and enemy launched surface-to-air missiles, which gives pilots a chance to act evasively, depending on the scenario.

MacLaughlin is a pilot and has participated in similar exercises.

"Your blood starts pumping, heart starts running and you get into it," he said.

Live bombs and missiles give fighters a more realistic experience. Even those who pack bombs and those who mount them on the aircraft learn better with real ammunition.

Live bombing has been a hot topic among Avon Park neighbors.

MacLaughlin addressed those concerns by saying the noise generated would "not be dangerous."

The 6-foot, 2-inch commander was asked if a live bomb could be dropped in downtown Avon Park by mistake.

"But how many years (have we been) dropping inert weapons, and to my knowledge we have never had an ordnance go off range," said MacLaughlin.

"With live weapons, there are always additional restrictions. Typically, when we have live ordnances on the aircraft, we minimize any kind of pre-target maneuvering. Typically, we go directly to the range and avoid over-flights of populated areas."