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About

ABOUT

Home to The American Experience, a destination where you never stop learning and continue to grow and have fun with us.

MEET THE TEAM

Scott

Scott Miller

General (Ret.)

PrairieFire

Executive Chairman

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Mark O’Neil

Major General (Ret.)

PrairieFire Nevada

Chief Executive Officer

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Lanny Barnes

PrairieFire Nevada

Chief Experience Officer

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Hans Hansen

Master Chief (Ret.)

PrairieFire Nevada

Chief Training Officer

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Kasia Pic(1)

Kasia Kwiatkowska

PrairieFire Nevada

VP of Membership

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Drawing from over 200 years of respected special operations and world-class competitive shooting, PrairieFire delivers on its vision of creating the ultimate outdoor experience. Fueled by a passion for adventure, we are building a community where you can connect with others seeking to learn, grow, adapt, and have fun. The PrairieFire Method offers our guests an unparalleled level of training tailored to their individual needs and goals. From the beginner to the expert, the team at PrairieFire is ready to help take you to the next level. We have designed and created the most unique experiences and courses to accommodate all who are interested in pistol, rifle, and sporting clay, with plans to include helicopter experiences, situational awareness training, leadership development, archery, precision rifle, and medical training. We want to invest in you so that you leave PrairieFire a better version of yourself.

What is PrairieFire?

The word prairie fire holds a few meanings. It’s typically used to describe a fire in open grassland or an uncontrolled fire in a grassy area. Prairie fires tend to spread really quickly and alter the land they leave behind. The words have also been used when talking about how sometimes you need to burn things to the ground to be able to start anew, with a fresh perspective. It was also the name of a series of highly classified multi-service United States special operations patrols during the Vietnam War.

We think President Ronald Reagan used it best, starting when he was Governor of California and during his presidency.

“We are being watched, watched by those all across this land who once again dare to believe that our concept of responsible, people-oriented government can work as the founding fathers meant it to work. If we prove that here, we can, as I have said before, start a prairie fire that can sweep across this country.

But to start that fire, we must nurture the flame here at home or it will flicker and die, and those who come after us will find only the ashes of lost hopes and dead dreams.”

April 1, 1967

Address of Governor Ronald Reagan to the California Republican Assembly, Lafayette Hotel, Long Beach

“I remember back then, almost 20 years ago, saying that we could start a prairie fire here in California, one that would capture the intensity of our devotion to freedom and the strength of our commitment to American ideals. Well, we began to carry a message to every corner of the nation- a simple message. The message is: Here in America, the people are in charge…To the extent that what has happened today reaffirms those principles, we are part of that prairie fire that we still think defines America — a fire of hope that will keep alive the promise of opportunity as we head into the next century.”

November 6, 1984

Remarks by President Ronald Reagan at a Reelection Celebration in Los Angeles, California,

Our Five Pillars

Majestic Physical Location

The majestic physical location, including the mountain ranges surrounding our property, is transcendent and humbling. On your journey from Vegas to PrairieFire, you will take in Red Rock Canyon and Mountain Springs Pass, which then opens up to a vast, tranquil valley – the home of PrairieFire, the preeminent destination for outdoor adventure.

Heroes​

PrairieFire celebrates heroes. Led by a team of respected former military operators and competitive shooters, PrairieFire embraces heroes of all kinds. Our leadership team and trainers have supported and led some of the most challenging national security issues for the United States and are now at PrairieFire to support your personal growth, no matter your skill level or goals.

Unique Experiences

We provide guests with the most unique experiences in the outdoor adventure world. PrairieFire is for guests who want to challenge themselves on our rugged terrain and have fun. Guests will connect with their passions – shooting, hiking, biking, and more – through exclusive, authentic experiences they won’t get anywhere else.

Elevate Your Training

We are here to help elevate your training and your exploration with our innovative courses. PrairieFire is home to some of the most revered marksmen and women in the country, who will be your mentors and coaches – not just instructors. We have created a comprehensive training curriculum that is rooted in the best practices of military special operations. This training will help guests, from beginners to experts, achieve a lifetime of confidence, skill progression, and a deeper appreciation for shooting.

Community

The PrairieFire community is dedicated to empowering individuals through adventure and personal discovery. We invite you to be a part of something bigger than yourself and create lasting bonds and memories at PrairieFire. We are building America’s home for outdoor sports, and we want you to be a part of it.

Site Map
Useful Links
  • 702-837-7433
  • 1 Front Sight Road, Pahrump, NV 89061

Hours

  • Monday - Friday: 8am - 4pm
  • Saturday & Sunday: 8am - 4pm
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Gen. (Ret.) Scott Miller

PrairieFire Executive Chairman

General Austin “Scott” Miller assumed responsibilities as the Executive Chairman for Prairie Fire Nevada in January 2023.  Scott spent over 38 years in uniform, graduating from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1983 and retiring from active duty in 2021. His career took him to the far reaches of conflict in complex geopolitical regions, including the Indo-Pacific, Africa, the Middle East, and South Asia. 

An Airborne-Ranger, Infantry officer, he commanded at every grade, including a company in Korea, the TF Ranger assault force in Mogadishu during “Blackhawk Down,” the Joint Special Operations Command, and as the final commander of NATO’s Resolute Support Mission and United States Forces Afghanistan. 

Likely the most deployed leader throughout the Global War on Terror, from 2001 until 2021, he was one of the early Americans on the ground to commence the hunt for Usama Bin Laden and other high-value targets. Through the years, he commanded multiple Special Operation Task Forces in combat throughout the Middle East and South Asia, culminating in his assignment as the final commander of NATO’s Resolute Support Mission and United States Forces Afghanistan from September 2, 2018, through July 12, 2021.

In 2014, as commanding general of the United States Army Manoeuver Centre of Excellence at Fort Benning, he led the initiative to integrate women into the prestigious U.S. Army Ranger School a significant advancement that laid the foundation for women to pursue top positions across the Army.

His awards include two awards of the coveted Combat Infantryman Badge, two Purple Hearts, the Silver Star, and an unprecedented 20 Overseas Service Bars, denoting in excess of ten full years in combat zones. 

Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Mark O’Neil

PrairieFire Nevada Chief Executive Officer

Major General (Retired) Mark O’Neil is a distinguished leader and soldier who served for 33 years in the U.S. Army. Mark served in multiple combat leadership positions and is highly decorated. From the start of his military career in the Army Special Operations Command to becoming the Commanding General of the United State Army Alaska, his passion has always been mentoring people at all levels. In his 16 years with the U.S. Army Special Operations Command, Mark became adept at managing ambiguity in decision-making, strategic planning, and building partnerships across conventional, inter-agency, and special operations portfolios.

Mark helps private and public organizations assess potential, select leaders, and develop enduring leadership and programs. His warm, humble, and approachable style of leadership helps organizations develop teams and align with culture, mission and purpose.  He believes that simplifying complexity to focus on the mission is a universal competency that can be adopted by any organization.

Mark’s deep experience in the assessment, selection, and training of the US military’s most elite special operations soldiers is now applied to helping PrairieFire build programs for our guests. Mark believes that chemistry moves mountains, not physics, and that building relationships based on trust and performance yields lasting improvements.

His awards include the coveted Combat Infantryman’s Badge, the Bronze Star Medal with Valor, and 12 Overseas Service Bars. Mark and his wife Wendy are the proud parents of Taylor O’Neil, who works as a cameraman in LA, and Staff Sergeant Riley O’Neil, who is currently serving as an Airborne Ranger.

LANNY BARNES

PrairieFire Nevada Chief Experience Officer

Lanny Barnes is a three-time Olympian in the sport of Biathlon, and a world and national champion in several other shooting disciplines. Lanny teaches military, law enforcement, and competitive shooters how to maximise their physiological and psychological performance. Lanny has been an instructor for more than 20 years and trains athletes in Nordic skiing, biking, marathons, triathlons, and all shooting disciplines. Lanny is the consummate athlete, coach, and competitor and she brings unique approaches to our training and competition programmes.

Lanny is an accomplished artist and has been creating art since 2000. Her work can be viewed at www.theolympianartist.com. Lanny and her twin sister have competed together in multiple Olympics and spend their free time mentoring at schools, 4-H clubs, Boys & Girls Clubs, and Boys & Girls Scouts on the importance of following their dreams, setting goals, and leading a healthy active lifestyle. Lanny and her sister guide terminally ill children and wounded veterans on hunting and outdoor adventures.

HANS HANSEN

PrairieFire Nevada Chief Training Officer

Retired Master Chief Hans Hansen served in multiple operational leadership roles in the US Navy. He deployed numerous times during his 21 years of service. After retiring in 2009, he started a second career focused on leadership and professional development training for the US military and private sector.  Hans specialises in instructor development and curriculum design. He provides consulting services on organisational design and change management programmes for multiple clients. He is an avid shooter, skier, and photographer. Hans’ passion is coaching new and experienced shooters.

Kasia Kwiatkowska

PrairieFire Nevada VP of Membership

Kasia Kwiatkowska was born and raised in Poland. Graduated with a Master’s Degree in Diplomacy and International Affairs in 2005 and holds a dual degree from the University of Warsaw and the London School of Diplomacy, Westminster University. Kasia moved to the United States in 2005 and became a naturalised United States citizen in 2017, which makes her a dual citizen of both Poland and the USA. Her educational background has paved the way for the successful creation of coherent and loyal member based communities across the country. Her 10+ years at Invited Clubs included driving Member enrollment, identifying and penetrating new markets, assuring members’ retention and longevity, promoting effective communication between all stakeholders and members, developing and launching new products, as well as collaborating and guiding Boards of Directors and Advisory Committees.

Kasia has extensive experience with business clubs’ re-invention and acquisitions, with the primary focus of driving club awareness, leading to accelerated enrollments and increased retention. She is adept at building mutually beneficial community partnerships that yield increased usage and client engagement.

Currently, Kasia resides in Las Vegas and enjoys spending her free time weight training, mountain biking, and caring for her two kittens, Zoey and Zara.