MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- The Indoor Small-Arms Range here, the only indoor range in the Marine Corps, recently replaced the forward protective berm with a ballistic brick wall to increase efficiency, effectiveness and shooter safety.
The project was sponsored by the Ground Range Sustainment Program, which is a program that provides money for the sustainment, upgrades and modernization of Marine Corps ranges.
Each year, the ISAR shuts down for six weeks for annual maintenance. During this time, the ISAR receives any necessary construction, repairs and upgrades.
This year, replacing the berm was the main priority. The main berm is made of chipped rubber. The old protective forward berm was made of the same material. After awhile, the rubber chips would settle and leave the metal wall that protects the target systems exposed. Upon impact, the rounds would ricochet and hit lights, walls and the tracks for the target systems, which led to costly damage to the range. The equipment used to recycle the main berm didn’t reach the forward berm, so the Marines had to do it by hand. For these reasons, more than 27,000 pounds of rubber were removed and replaced with ballistic bricks, giving the range an additional two and a half feet.
“The new ballistic bricks are compressed rubber shavings, and instead of projectiles going in and slowing down over a distance, they go in and are essentially immediately stopped and the brick contains those projectiles,” said Gunnery Sgt. David A. Derossette, ISAR staff noncommissioned officer-in-charge. “Instead of having to extract (the projectiles) and recycle the rubber chips, we just have to take out the brick that’s been shot up and replace it with another one.”
Derossette said the ballistic bricks are more cost efficient. Instead of replacing a brick, it can be flipped around or moved to an area that receives less impact to increase the lifespan.
If the rubber chips aren’t recycled regularly, they lose their effectiveness. Instead of the rounds penetrating and slowing to a stop, they bounce off others, again posing a safety risk. With the bricks, the rounds are contained.
“The recycling process for the chipped rubber is time consuming,” said Lance Cpl. Anthony Zublis, Indoor Simulated Marksmanship Trainer operator at the ISAR. “The ballistic bricks make our job easier. We can get the range prepared a lot faster now, and, as a result, accommodate more shooters.”
The new forward berm will be put to use for the first time during the Wolf-Tactical Reconnaissance and Personal Protection pistol course scheduled for Nov. 15.