Camp Grayling | |
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Part of Michigan Army National Guard | |
Grayling, Michigan in the United States | |
Coordinates | 44°38′4″N84°46′21″W / 44.63444°N 84.77250°W |
Area | 147,000 acres (59,000 ha) |
Site information | |
Controlled by | Michigan Army National Guard |
Website | minationalguard |
Site history | |
Built | 1913 |
Garrison information | |
Current commander | COL Scott L. Meyers |
Camp Grayling is a military training facility located near Grayling, Michigan, primarily in Crawford County, and spread over three counties. Camp Grayling is the main training facility for the Michigan National Guard and is the largest US National Guard training facility in the United States.
Camp Grayling was founded in 1913 on an initial grant of land from Grayling lumber baron Rasmus Hanson to the state for military training. [1] It includes 147,000 acres (590 km2) in Crawford, Kalkaska and Otsego counties. Troops first started training at Camp Grayling in 1914. [2]
During the summer months, Camp Grayling hosts National Guard units from Michigan, the surrounding states, and Canada. Large artillery, mortar, and tank ranges as well as maneuver courses highlight the camp. Recently Forward Operating Bases have been constructed to allow company-sized units to simulate operations.
For two weeks each year starting in 2014, Camp Grayling hosts the National Guard's Exportable Combat Training Capability program. [3] Each year, Camp Grayling schedules training for over 20,000 military personnel from National Guard units from Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, and Ohio, as well as regular Army and Reserve units.
Each year since 2011 Camp Grayling has hosted Northern Strike. Military units from neighboring states, the U.K. and other U.S. allies participate. During the exercise the population on base swells to over 2,000 military personnel.
Grayling Army Airfield is located at Camp Grayling and includes 70 helicopter tiedown pads as well as two 5,000 ft (1,500 m) runways capable of handling C-130 and C-17 aircraft. [4] Camp Grayling has over 600 soldiers in traditional Army National Guard units regularly assigned to it. [5]
The installation provides over 200 full-time jobs to local residents. Consequently, Camp Grayling is one of the largest employers in the county. The camp activities generate over $30 million annually in the local economy.
The camp has a partnership with the Northern Michigan Law Enforcement group for training purposes. The camp has small arms ranges and urban assault ranges. Camp Grayling has an IED (improvised explosive device) Lane. This is used to train troops to protect themselves from IED’s. They have a 10.2-mile (16.4 km) live fire convoy commander’s reaction course that trains commanders. The post is used for research and development.
A central attraction of Camp Grayling is Lake Margrethe. [6]
Camp Grayling's five-man color guard has appeared on national television alongside Anita Baker, Aretha Franklin, Dr. John, Brian McKnight, Aaron Neville, Diana Ross, Stevie Wonder, and other notable recording artists who performed the National Anthem at major sporting events held in Michigan over the years. It provided the colors presentation for four Major League Baseball All-Star Games, eight World Series, Super Bowls XVI and XL, the 1980 Republican National Convention and the 2004 and 2005 NBA Finals.[ citation needed ] At many aforementioned nationally televised sporting events held in Michigan, they have been joined by a Canadian military color guard, usually that of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police from Ottawa, Ontario.
Camp Grayling is located in Region 6 of the Michigan Army National Guard. Its tenant units are as follows: [7]
Crawford County is a county in the U.S. state of Michigan. Its population was 12,988 as of the 2020 census. The county seat of Crawford County is Grayling, the county's only incorporated community.
Grayling is a city and the county seat of Crawford County in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is the only incorporated community in Crawford County. The population was 1,884 at the 2010 census. The city is surrounded by Grayling Charter Township, but the two are administered autonomously.
Grayling Charter Township is a charter township of Crawford County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 5,827 as of the 2010 census, down from 6,516 at the 2000 census. The city of Grayling is surrounded by Grayling Charter Township, but both are administered autonomously.
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Grayling Army Airfield is a public/military use airport located one nautical mile (1.85 km) northwest of the central business district of Grayling, in Crawford County, Michigan, United States. It is owned by United States Army. The airfield is located 7 miles (11 km) northeast of the main cantonment area of Camp Grayling. It is included in the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems for 2017–2021, in which it is categorized as a general aviation facility.
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Lake Margrethe is near Grayling in Crawford County, Michigan. Its area is 1,920 acres (780 ha). It was formerly known as Portage Lake. Fish species include: rock bass, yellow perch, bluegill, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, northern pike, tiger muskie, and walleye.
Fort Custer Training Center, often known simply as Fort Custer, is a federally owned and state-operated Michigan Army National Guard training facility, but is also used by other branches of the armed forces and armed forces from Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio. It is one of the most heavily used Midwest training facilities and is used mainly for company level small arms and maintenance training.
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