Crews are nearly finished installing the back wall of the Viale Pits catwalk, as dirt is being replaced behind them to backfill the berm.

Nearly 70 percent of construction on the new Viale Range berm and pits is complete and the project is still on course for its June completion deadline. Pylons are in place, concrete has been poured, and dirt is being replaced to backfill the berm. Reconstruction began last September on Viale Range’s badly degraded berm and pits. Also the target carriers which been in place since the range was first established in 1907 are being updated. The project is scheduled to be completed prior to the start of the 2006 National Matches.

In early April, new target carriers manufactured by Precision Products in Greenwood, Indiana, will arrive. Precision Products’ target systems can be found on ranges at Fort Benning, Georgia and Fort Bliss, Texas. The old target carriers were removed at the start of the construction project and will be distributed after the new targetry is installed to military installations and civilian shooting clubs whose requests were accepted on a first come--first served basis. All carriers are now reserved and no others will be available.

One 106mm anti-tank round and five Stokes mortar illumination rounds, pictured above with a cell phone to show their size, where found in different locations under the Viale Pits catwalk. The rounds date from the 1920s-40s when Viale Range was used for mortar training.

During the dismantling of the old catwalk, crews made an interesting discovery. Five Stokes mortar illumination rounds as well as one 106mm anti-tank round were found in different locations under the catwalk. Oddly enough, all of the rounds were found on the lakeside of the berm, no shells were found on the front. The rounds date from the 1920s and 40s when Laurence Road was used as the firing line for mortar training at Camp Perry.

For pictures of the Viale Pits project visit the CMP website at http://www.odcmp.com/Photos/05/Viale_Range/index.htm. Photos are updated on a regular basis, so continue to check our website for the most current shots.