The Nevada National Guard has officially launched construction on a long-awaited modernization effort that will dramatically reshape how its Soldiers train. On Friday, Dec. 5, Guard leaders and federal lawmakers gathered in Carson City to break ground on the Nevada Army National Guard Qualification Training Range, a project that will give the state its first Department-of-the-Army approved small arms qualification range.
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The ceremony brought together U.S. Sen. Jacky Rosen, Rep. Mark Amodei, and Brig. Gen. Randy Lau, Nevada’s Land Component Commander, underscoring the significance of the investment not only for the Guard but for the state’s role in national defense readiness.
For years, Nevada Guard units have been forced to cross state lines to complete their annual weapons qualification. Since 2019, more than 1,000 Soldiers per year have traveled to neighboring states, resulting in steep logistical and financial burdens.
Guard members routinely spent up to four training days traveling, firing, and returning from out-of-state ranges — a loss that amounted to more than 15% of the units’ allotted annual training days. Leaders say that time drain significantly constrained Soldiers’ ability to complete other mission-critical tasks and limited overall readiness.
With the new facility in Hawthorne, those days of long-distance travel and compressed training schedules will come to an end.
Located at the Hawthorne Army Depot, the upcoming $20 million Record Fire Range represents a major infrastructure upgrade for the Nevada Guard. Once complete, it will:
The range’s design mirrors the standards used across active-duty Army qualification facilities, meaning Nevada Soldiers will finally train at home on the same systems used nationwide.
The ability to train locally also carries long-term strategic value. Eliminating multi-day travel improves scheduling flexibility, reduces strain on families and employers, and allows units to reinvest training hours into skills beyond weapons qualification.
It also strengthens the Guard’s ability to respond quickly to state emergencies — including wildfires, flooding, and disaster relief — by ensuring units remain in the state instead of traveling for marksmanship requirements.
Construction of the range also marks a milestone for the Hawthorne Army Depot, further reinforcing its relevance in modern defense operations. The project is expected to generate local economic activity through construction jobs, facility maintenance roles, and increased military presence.
Once completed, the Hawthorne facility will position Nevada alongside other states with full in-state qualification capabilities, improving readiness levels and reducing long-term operational costs.
The Nevada National Guard anticipates that the range will become fully operational upon completion, opening a new chapter for Soldier training across the state.
Originally reported by Mineral County Independent News.
