Editing Edson Range (section)

{{Short description|US Marine corps firing range}}
{{Coord|33|15|50|N|117|25|5|W|display=title}}

[[File:EdsonRange200050923.jpg|300px|thumb|right|Marine takes aim at Edson Range]]
'''Edson Range''' is a [[firing range]] complex at [[Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton]], near [[Oceanside, California]]. It is named for Marine Major General [[Merritt A. Edson|"Red Mike" Edson]], "a [[List of Medal of Honor recipients for World War II|World War II Medal of Honor]] recipient and a distinguished small arms marksman proponent."<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.mybaseguide.com/marines/4-3604/mcb_camp_pendleton_tenant_organizations|title=MCB CAMP PENDLETON Tenant Organizations|website=www.mybaseguide.com|access-date=2017-03-29}}</ref> This rifle-qualification complex is home to four of the largest firing ranges on the base.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.oceansidechamber.com/oceanside-blog/history-of-camp-pendleton|title=HISTORY OF CAMP PENDLETON|website=Oceanside Chamber of Commerce|access-date=2017-03-29}}</ref>  The range became operational on August 21, 1964, the same day that [[Camp Calvin B. Matthews]], in [[La Jolla]], California, was closed and turned over to the University of California. Camp Matthews had previously been used for rifle training.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.militarymuseum.org/CpMatthews.html|title=Camp Matthews|website=www.militarymuseum.org|access-date=2017-03-29}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/main5/DDDFE7D53206BE2A8525708400529F63?opendocument |title=Marine Corps News -> Pendleton Marines aim for new range starting Oct. 1 |date=2006-03-01 |access-date=2017-03-29 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060301201804/http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/main5/DDDFE7D53206BE2A8525708400529F63?opendocument |archive-date=2006-03-01 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.leatherneck.com/forums/showthread.php?6897-Through-the-Early-Years-at-the-Depot&s=45d7a925c3bddb07e95c91872a623279|title=Through the Early Years at the Depot|last=Levens|first=Lance Cpl. Jess N.|date=May 12, 2003|work=Marine Corps News}}</ref>

While located at Camp Pendleton, Edson Range is organized as an annex of [[Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego]] and serves as the rifle qualification range where Marine recruits receive field and rifle training during [[recruit training|boot camp]]. Two weeks of marksmanship training followed by one week of infantry field skills take place at Edson Range,<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.uppermichiganssource.com/content/news/Transformation-from-civilian-to-Marine-Rifle-Qualification-378892051.html|title=Transformation from civilian to Marine: Rifle Qualification|last=Droze|first=Rachel|access-date=2017-03-29|language=en}}</ref> which is known as "up north" by recruits and drill instructors alike (the Recruit Depot in San Diego being "down south").  The [[United States Marine Crucible|Crucible]], a three to four day combat simulation with little food or sleep, also takes place here.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/military/sdut-marines-eagle-globe-anchor-ceremony-boot-camp-2013oct11-story.html|title=Crucible - journey from civilian to Marine|last=Kovach|first=Gretel C.|work=sandiegouniontribune.com|access-date=2017-03-29|language=en-US}}</ref>

Edson Range is also home to the "Swift Intruders", the [[U.S. Navy]]'s [[Assault Craft Unit 5]] who operate the [[Landing Craft Air Cushion]] (LCAC), and train on the Edson Range beaches and the adjacent Pacific Ocean.
Bravo range is famous for being the range Lee Harvey Oswald shot on when he was a Marine.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.mybaseguide.com/marines/4-3604/mcb_camp_pendleton_tenant_organizations|title=MCB CAMP PENDLETON Tenant Organizations|website=www.mybaseguide.com|access-date=2017-03-29}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.med.navy.mil/sites/ndccpen/PATIENTINFO/Pages/EDSON.aspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120729074656/http://www.med.navy.mil/sites/ndccpen/PATIENTINFO/Pages/EDSON.aspx|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 29, 2012|title=EDSON|website=www.med.navy.mil|language=en-us|access-date=2017-03-29}}</ref>