Black Rock Desert Gunnery Range

The Black Rock Desert Gunnery Range began in 1942 in 973 sqmi of the Black Rock Desert and was used for World War II USAAF aerial gunnery training. The range was re-activated in October 1945 when the United States Navy closed more than 1563 sqmi to the public for two regions of the Lovelock Aerial Gunnery Range (the North Region was in the Black Rock Desert area).

In January, 1958, the Chief of Naval Operations wrote that Basic Black Rock had a capacity of 7,600 sorties and that Sahwave Basic (Located south of Basic Black Rock) would have a capacity of 10,300 sorties. Extended Sahwave would have a capacity of 16,000 sorties. The Navy committed to releasing Basic Black Rock if Extended Sahwave was obtained. If Basic Black Rock was retained, it could be used for air-to-ground weapons training.

After a 1955 request by congressman Clair Engle, the Black Rock Desert Gunnery Range was closed by 1964.