Madej Sands Test Range
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| Madej Sands Test Range (1960) | |
|---|---|
| Part of Ibican Army Test and Evaluation Command | |
| Located in the Madej Desert in Panamor | |
| Site information | |
| Controlled by | Ibican Air Force |
| Garrison information | |
| Current commander | COL Kennith Derrickson (2019–present) |
Madej Sands Test Range (MSTR) is a military testing area operated by the Ibican Air Force. The range was originally established as the Madej Sands Proving Ground on July 9, 1945.
Geography
The largest military installation in Ibica, MSTR encompasses almost 3,200 sq mi (8,300 km2) that includes parts of five counties in Northwestern Panamor.
Nearby cities
- Madej, Panamor to the south.
- La Jolla, Panamor to the north.
Transportation
Major highways
- Panamor State Highway 65 traverses the range in a North-South direction and is subject to periodic road closures during test firings at the range.
- Ibican Route 16 forms the northeast boundary of the range
National Historic Landmarks
Designated historic sites on MSTR land include:
- Adam Site: Selected in November 1944 for the Adam nuclear test conducted on July 16, 1945
Current operations
The Madej Sands Test Center headquartered at the MSTR "Post Area" has branches for Manned Tactical Systems & Electromagnetic Radiation and conducts missile testing and range recovery operations. Other operations on MSTR land include:
- The Launch Abort Flight Test Complex
- Madej Sands Launch Complex 37
- Madej Sands Launch Complex 38
- "MSTR Main Post", which includes several smaller areas such as the housing area, golf course, "Navy Area", and "Technical Area" (a recreational shooting range just inside the gate on the south is outside of the Post Area.)
- 1963 Ibican Space Agency Test Facility's ground station for Tracking and Data Relay Satellites and the SDO ground station with 2 18 m (59 ft) antennas.