BUCKLEY SPACE FORCE BASE, Colo. — The 140th Wing, Colorado Air National Guard, marked a significant milestone in explosive ordnance disposal readiness with a ribbon-cutting ceremony July 2, 2026, celebrating the opening of a new Explosive Ordnance Disposal Proficiency Range at Buckley Space Force Base, Aurora, Colorado.
The new range gives the 140th Civil Engineer Squadron's EOD Flight a dedicated training facility on BSFB, allowing Airmen to conduct recurring demolition proficiency training without routinely traveling to distant ranges. The increased access enables EOD technicians to sharpen critical wartime skills while remaining readily available to support real-world missions throughout the region.
"The biggest benefit is proficiency toward wartime tasking requirements," said U.S. Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Aaron Weber, operations superintendent for the 140th Civil Engineer Squadron's EOD Flight. "The immediate access to it, the ease of access and just how nice a facility it is really improves our ability to train."
Previously, the unit traveled several hours to ranges such as Fort Carson, Colorado Springs, Colorado, to complete many of its recurring demolition qualifications. While larger-scale training events will continue to take place at other installations, the new proficiency range allows the team to accomplish many of its monthly training requirements on base, reducing travel time and increasing opportunities to maintain mission-essential skills.
Beyond supporting military readiness, the range strengthens partnerships with local, state and federal agencies that share responsibility for public safety and homeland defense. The facility has already hosted joint training with organizations including the Transportation Security Administration and supports collaboration with the FBI, regional bomb squads, and other military EOD units.
"Even a small amount of explosive material can have a tremendous impact," said U.S. Air Force Maj. Sarah Swale, commander,140th CES. "Being able to demonstrate that in a controlled environment gives our partners a much better understanding of the threats they may encounter."
The facility provides a controlled environment where partner agencies can observe the effects of explosive materials and improve their understanding of explosive threats. These exercises help investigators, security personnel, and bomb technicians better recognize hazards and strengthen coordination before responding to real-world incidents.
The 140th Wing's EOD Flight routinely supports military operations, installation emergency response, and requests from civil authorities involving military ordnance. Because Department of War regulations require the nearest available military EOD unit to respond when military munitions are discovered, the team frequently assists law enforcement agencies throughout Colorado with safely identifying, rendering safe, and disposing of explosive hazards.
Whether responding to decades-old military munitions discovered in a community, supporting national special security events, or preparing for deployed operations, EOD technicians rely on realistic, recurring training to remain mission ready.
For the 140th Wing, the investment represents more than a new training facility. It strengthens the wing's ability to generate combat-ready Airmen, enhances partnerships across the emergency response community and ensures EOD specialists remain prepared to protect service members and the public whenever and wherever they are called.