Memories Airport Range - Alliance Rifle Club · This is the road leading into the Airport Range....

This is the road leading into the Airport Range.The Indoor Range is first and then just down the road is the 50 yd. Range with box car for

storage, and next comes the 100 yd. Range. The Indoor Range was first used in the 1950’s andbegan with Smallbore Rifle Matches as part of the Panhandle Rifle League. The Outdoor Rangeshave been used by Club members for sighting in, practice, and just plinking. Benchrest competi-tion, “Doc & The Judge” Matches, Cowboy Action, and other competitions have also been held atthese shooting ranges. (Photos taken May 1994)

Alliance rifle clubAlliance rifle clubAlliance rifle clubAlliance rifle clubAlliance rifle club

Memories of the Airport Range

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Memories of the Indoor Range

The Alliance Rifle Club Indoor Range started out in 1949 as asurplus building on Hanger Line Road at the then newly deacti-vated Alliance Air Base.

During World War II the building was used as a stable for thehorses that belonged to the officers stationed at the Air Base.

The ARC leased the land the building was on from the City. Leasewas continued until 2008 when it was cancelled to make room forconstruction of a High Plains Veterans Cemetery.

In the beginning there was enough land to have a 50 yd. Out-door Range. Many years later it was expanded to include a 100 yd.Outdoor Range. The Club asked the City if they could create the100 yd. range and the expansion was granted if the person leasingthe ground needed gave their approval. George Neuswanger wasleasing the ground for his cattle at that time. After talking to theARC secretary, he agreed to the expansion.

Above is a photo of the sign that was in place for many years.Located on Highway 2 at the turn off to the Airport.

(Photo taken July 2008)

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Over the years much workand improvements have beendone on the Indoor Range.

At first it was very roughwith wind and snow coming inthe walls. As the years passedmany changes were made tothe firing line and improve-ments were made to the build-ing.

The wide open spacegives Club members andvisitors a great place topractice, hold matches orenjoy some shooting.

Traps can be seen at thewest end of the building.It is possible to shoot upto 50 ft.

May 26, 1949 was the beginning of the Alliance Rifle Club.The club was started with 11 members who were interested in smallbore rifle

competition. They had been taking part in the Panhandle Rifle Leaguewhich was formed in the mid 1940s.

Above you can see thewall that divides the preproom from the firing line.Windows were put in sopeople could watch the fir-ing line. Doors would shutoff the firing line so it keptthe sound down in theprep room.

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Memories of the Indoor RangeLones Wigger Clinic

Dec. 6, 1987Many shooting clinics have been held at the Airport

Range over the years. Here are some photos of Wiggergiving a Clinic for 4-position smallbore rifle shooting.

In 1987 Wigger was the director of the U.S. Team atthe U.S. Olympic Training Center at Colorado Springs,Colorado. He spent 25 years as a member of the U.S.Army’s Marksmanship Unit. His list of accomplishmentsincludes no less than 80 U.S. and International champi-onships, including two gold medals at the Olympics.

Above you can see the firing linewith Robert Pickering getting someinstructions in the kneeling posi-tion. Notice the wall across the fir-ing line. It had doors at each firingposition with a moveable tray tohold ammo or equipment. This wallwas later removed.

Clinic started at 9:00 a.m. with aslide presentation and time forquestions. After lunch Wigger con-ducted a “hands on” training sessioncoaching everyone attending withposition and equipment.

(Wigger Clinic Photos courtesy ofBelinda Amerman.)

Below: Diane Lickliter gets some ad-vice on her offhand position.

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Here is a match taking place on the range. You can see the tar-get stands in use. This time the pistol shooting is being done withbowling pins as targets. Over the years a variety of matches wereheld for pistol, smallbore rifle and air rifle. (Photo taken 1998)

Rusty Kendle, one of theAlliance Rifle Club Juniormembers gives a demonstra-tion of the kneeling positionfor smallbore rifle competi-tion. The Indoor Range hasbeen used by the Junior RifleClub for many years.

Note the poor old stove. Fora long time this was all theheat there was for the build-ing. It was hard to start anddidn’t put out much heat. Ofcourse, none of the heat wenton the firing line.

Later on a better stove re-placed this one and a furnacewas installed plus a ventila-tion system was added.

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Memories of the Indoor RangeGil Davis and Jake

Carlson are busy scoring anA17 target. The target isplaced on a box with a lightso it can be scored. This is thetarget used for the 4-positionsmallbore rifle matches shotfor the Panhandle RifleLeague.

The scoring room wasclosed off to give a good placefor a desk and supplies.

(Photo taken 1997)

This is the prep room withtables set up. At times thesewere used during shootingclinics or classes that wereheld at the range.

Score board on the wallplus bulletin board where thePanhandle Rifle Leaguematches were posted. At thenorth end of the building is alocked storage room used tohold club equipment.

From the beginning of the Alli-ance Rifle Club there has been asmallbore rifle team shooting withthe Panhandle Rifle League in thewinter. Awards they have wonsince 1986 were put up on anAwards Wall at the Indoor Range.

Alliance Junior Rifle Club hasalso been a very active group andthey have won many awards andhonors. These were also part of theAwards Wall.

(Photo taken May 24, 2008)

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These two photos weretaken during the March 24and 25, 1990 NRA SmallboreRifle Sectionals hosted by Al-liance Rifle Club. This wasthe first time a Sectional wasin Alliance.

It had matches for 3-Posi-tion, 4-Position and Air Rifle.Awards are given at the Sec-tional matches held in variouslocations across the country.Then the scores are turnedinto the NRA where they areentered in a National Match.

Above you can see thesouth end of the firingline. Picture at rightshows the north end.

NRA CertificateOn December 31, 2004 the Na-

tional Rifle Association awarded thiscertificate to the Panhandle RifleLeague.

For Your Support of Competitive Shooting

We Commend Your Dedication

Signed M.S. Gilchrist, DirectorCompetitive Shooting Division

Alliance Rifle ClubTeam competes inthe Panhandle RifleLeague each winter.They have been apart of the leaguesince the 1940’s.

Certificate hasbeen on the east wallof the Indoor Range.

(Photo May 2008)

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Photos of the Indoor Rangein use during the PanhandleRifle League Shootoff of2006.

Alliance Team has beencompeting in this leaguesince the club was firstformed.

Competition is 4-positionsmallbore rifle, shooting—prone, sitting, kneeling andstanding.

Photos here show the preproom. Above looking throughthe window down range tothe targets.

Indoor Range atthe Airport.In use since the

Alliance Rifle Clubwas formedMay 1949.

(Photos courtesy ofRoyce Brown.)

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Awards Wall at the Indoor Range May, 2008

11997 Junior Olympic Rifle Championship

(JORC)State Champion Team - Novice Prone

Alliance Jr. Rifle ClubRusty GirardJames GirardZachery Beals

22000 JORC State Champion Team

Smallbore 3-PositionAlliance Aces

31999 JORC State Runner-Up Team

Smallbore 3-PositionAlliance AcesRyan MillerShane Dye

Christopher Blasi

42003 - 2004 Season

Panhandle Rifle LeagueHigh Team Average

52003 - 2004 Season

Panhandle Rifle LeagueHigh Win/Loss

61988 - 89 Panhandle Rifle League

High Average 1946.56





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High Win/Loss 11 - 7


High Average 1942.39High Win/Loss 11 - 7


High Average 1935.556Alliance Team

Royce Brown Pauline BrownRyan Miller Chris BlasiTim Kollars Neal SuttonJay Crotty James PatrickRoger Yerdon Gil DavisShane Dye Glen Fiebig





15JORC State Champion Team


3-PositionAlliance Aces

Scott Ducker Brandy DuckerChris Mischnick M. Sherlock


Air RifleAlliance AcesScott Ducker

Brandy DuckerH. See

J. Trimble


High Win/Loss 12 - 6High Average 1893.12

Alliance TeamGil Davis James PatrickNeal Sutton Katie PatrickCaleb Miller Royce BrownMarty Patrick

19Alliance Chamber of Commerce

Valued MemberAlliance Rifle Club

1999


High Average 1890.33Alliance Team

Royce Brown Wayne DavisGil Davis Caleb MillerKatie Patrick Neil SuttonMarty Patrick

21National Rifle Association

1987 Outstanding Club AwardAlliance Rifle Club

Awards Wall at the Indoor Range May, 2008JORC Awards for Alliance Junior Club

Season Awards for the Alliance Team from the Panhandle Rifle League

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Know All Men By These Presents. . .that

Northwest Rifle Clubhaving fullfilled the requirements for membership

has been enrolled by

THE NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATIONOF AMERICA

as an Affiliated SENIOR CLUB subject to the continued complianceof the Club with the provisions of the By-Laws and Regulations

now in effect and or hereafter adopted by the Association.Given under my hand and the seal ofthe Association at Washington, D.C.,this 10th day of February A.D. 1975

J DanielSecretary

THE NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATIONOF AMERCIA

From 1975 until about 1981 Alliance SmallboreTeam and five men from Crawford compete to-gether in the Panhandle Rifle League. They shootas the “Northwest” Team.

Know All Men By These Presents. . .that

Alliance Rifle Clubhaving fullfilled the requirements for membership

has been enrolled by

THE NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATIONOF AMERICA

as an Affiliated Class A CLUB subject to the continued complianceof the Club with the provisions of the By-Laws and Regulations

now in effect and or hereafter adopted by the Association.Given under my hand and the seal ofthe Association at Washington, D.C.,this 26th day of May A.D. 1949

F. L. WymanSecretary

THE NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATIONOF AMERCIA

Granted a charter by the State of New York onNovember 17, 1871 the NRA was founded. CivilWar Gen. Ambrose Burnside was the first presi-dent.

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Memories of the 100 yd. Outdoor Range

The 100 yd. Outdoor Rangewas used for years by Clubmembers. These photos showthe firing line with the concreteshooting benches.

Looking towards the northyou can see the berm added fora backstop for the range. Onthe right hand side is the bermthat was later added to dividethe 100 yd. Range from thenewer 50 yd. Range.

(Photos taken in 2004)

Above is “The Judge” of the“Doc & The Judge” Matches.Glen Fiebig is shown herewith his Trapdoor Springfieldrifle during the July 1987match.

The photo at right showsGene Sheldon shooting aTrapdoor Springfield at the1999 “Doc & The Judge”Match.

“Doc & The Judge” MatchesThese matches were held from July 1984 until Sept. 29, 2002.

Promoted by Dr. Wendell Fairbanks and Judge Glen Fiebig.

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Memories of the 50 yd. Outdoor Range

CowboyAction!

The 50 yd. Range wasimproved so Cowboy Actionmatches could be held.Stages could be run at the100 yd. Range and the 50 yd.Range. Large dirt backstopwas added for safety.

These two photos weretaken during a 1998 match.You can see the target standwith plates and ram silhou-ette target. The popup tar-gets are shown on the rightside. Shooters might have tofire a pistol from a “window”in a barrier, sit on a “horse”to fire a rifle. Or even rope a“steer.” (See the horns andrope at the bottom of thephoto)

Photo taken at another ofthe Cowboy Matches. Thistime it shows the platformwith shooting bench. Thelarge dirt berm to the westis the separation between the50 yd. and 100 yd. ranges.

A small shed was used tohold equipment. Large con-crete platform was put inplace to use as a firing line.

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Airport

Outdoor

50 yd.

Range

Summer of 2000 a storagefacility was added to the 50yd. Range. A railroad car waspurchased and delivered tothe Airport Range.

(Photos courtesy ofDon Sheldon.)

Memories of the AirportOutdoor Range

October,

2008

The Airport RangeOutdoor Ranges were

closed.

Oct. 28, 2008 the City of Alli-ance asked that the IndoorRange be closed 7 am to 6 pmon weekdays for the safety ofconstruction crews working onthe Nebraska Veterans Cem-etery. The Outdoor Ranges wereclosed to all shooting.

May 31, 2009 the railroad carthat was used at the 50 yd.Range was moved. It was do-nated to Stu Hardin of Gordonfor use by their Junior TrapClub.

During September 2009 thestorage building that was nextto the railroad car was movedto the Glen Fiebig Range.

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The End

Memories of the Airport Range

Photos taken May 24, 2008

Memories Airport Range - Alliance Rifle Club · This is the road leading into the Airport Range....

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