Camp Grayling facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Camp Grayling |
|
|---|---|
| Part of Michigan Army National Guard | |
| Grayling, Michigan in the United States | |
 Camp Grayling
|
|
| Coordinates | 44°38′4″N 84°46′21″W / 44.63444°N 84.77250°W |
| Area | 147,000 acres (59,000 ha) |
| Site information | |
| Controlled by | Michigan Army National Guard |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1913 |
| Garrison information | |
| Current commander |
COL Scott L. Meyers |
Camp Grayling is a very large military training place in Michigan, USA. It's near the town of Grayling, Michigan. This camp is the main training spot for the Michigan National Guard. It's also the biggest training facility for the US National Guard in the whole country!
Contents
The History of Camp Grayling
Camp Grayling started in 1913. A man named Rasmus Hanson, who owned a lot of lumber businesses in Grayling, gave the land to the state. He wanted it to be used for military training.
The camp covers a huge area of about 147,000 acres. This land spreads across three counties: Crawford, Kalkaska, and Otsego. Soldiers first began their training at Camp Grayling in 1914.
What Happens at Camp Grayling?
During the summer, many military groups come to Camp Grayling. These groups include the National Guard from Michigan and nearby states. Even units from Canada come here to train!
Training Exercises and Drills
The camp has large areas for artillery, mortar, and tank training. There are also special courses for soldiers to practice moving around. Recently, new training areas called "Forward Operating Bases" were built. These let groups of soldiers practice real-life operations.
Since 2014, Camp Grayling has hosted a special program. It's called the Exportable Combat Training Capability program. Each year, over 20,000 military people train here. They come from the National Guard, regular Army, and Reserve units.
Exercise Northern Strike
Every year since 2011, Camp Grayling hosts a big event called Exercise Northern Strike. Military units from neighboring states and other countries, like the U.K., take part. During this exercise, more than 2,000 military people are at the base.
Grayling Army Airfield
Camp Grayling also has its own airport, called Grayling Army Airfield. It has 70 spots for helicopters to park. There are also two long runways, each about 5,000 feet (1,524 meters) long. These runways are big enough for large planes like the C-130 and C-17.
Jobs and Local Economy
Over 600 soldiers from the Army National Guard work at Camp Grayling regularly. The camp also provides more than 200 full-time jobs for people living nearby. This makes Camp Grayling one of the biggest employers in the area. The camp's activities bring over $30 million into the local economy every year.
Special Training Areas
The camp works with the Northern Michigan Law Enforcement group for training. It has ranges for small arms practice. There are also special areas for training in city environments. Camp Grayling even has an IED (improvised explosive device) Lane. This helps troops learn how to protect themselves from these devices. They also have a 10.2-mile course for convoy commanders to practice reacting to situations. The camp is also used for research and development of new military ideas.
A beautiful part of Camp Grayling is Lake Margrethe.
Camp Grayling's Color Guard
Camp Grayling has a special five-person color guard team. This team has appeared on national television many times. They have stood alongside famous singers like Aretha Franklin and Stevie Wonder. These artists sang the national anthem at big sports events in Michigan.
The color guard has presented the flags at four Major League Baseball All-Star Games. They also appeared at eight World Series baseball championships. They were at Super Bowls XVI and XL. They also took part in the 1980 Republican National Convention. And they were at the 2004 and 2005 NBA Finals basketball games. Often, a Canadian military color guard, like from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, joins them.
Units Based at Camp Grayling
Camp Grayling is part of Region 6 of the Michigan Army National Guard. Here are some of the units that are based there:
- Joint Maneuver Training Center (ISU)
- 745th Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD)
- 1434th Engineer Company
- 1440th Engineer Detachment
- 1439th Engineer Detachment
- 1442nd Engineer Detachment
- 1071st Maintenance Company
