Camp Grayling is a military training facility located near

Grayling, Michigan Grayling ( ') is a city and the county seat of Crawford County, Michigan, 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 United States Census, 2010 cens ...

, United States, primarily in

Crawford County Crawford County is the name of eleven counties in the United States: * Crawford County, Arkansas * Crawford County, Georgia * Crawford County, Illinois * Crawford County, Indiana * Crawford County, Iowa * Crawford County, Kansas * Crawford County, ...

, and spread over three counties. Camp Grayling is the main training facility for the Michigan National Guard and is the largest

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Rasmus Hanson to the state for military training. It includes in Crawford, Kalkaska and Otsego counties. Troops first started training at Camp Grayling in 1914. In 2024 five

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students who participated in an exchange program with the

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were charged with espionage related offenses after being caught during exercises at Camp Grayling which included Taiwanese forces.

Training events

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 Base A forward operating base (FOB) is any secured forward operational level military position, commonly a military base, that is used to support strategic goals and tactical objectives. A FOB may contain an airbase, hospital, machine shop, and othe ...

s 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. 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 runways capable of handling

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and C-17 aircraft. Camp Grayling has over 600 soldiers in traditional Army National Guard units regularly assigned to it. 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 An improvised explosive device (IED) is a bomb constructed and deployed in ways other than in conventional warfare, conventional military action. It may be constructed of conventional military explosives, such as an artillery shell, attached t ...

) Lane. This is used to train troops to protect themselves from IED's. They have a 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.

Color Guard appearances

Camp Grayling's five-man color guard has appeared on national television alongside

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, Dr. John,

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, and other notable recording artists who performed the

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at major sporting events held in

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over the years. It provided the colors presentation for four

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s, eight

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, Super Bowls XVI and XL, the

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and the

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and

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. At many aforementioned nationally televised sporting events held in Michigan, they have been joined by a Canadian military color guard, usually that of the

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from

Ottawa, Ontario Ottawa is the capital city of Canada. It is located in the southern Ontario, southern portion of the province of Ontario, at the confluence of the Ottawa River and the Rideau River. Ottawa borders Gatineau, Gatineau, Quebec, and forms the cor ...

Tenant Units

Camp Grayling is located in Region 6 of the Michigan Army National Guard. Its tenant units are as follows: *Joint Maneuver Training Center (ISU) *745th Explosive Ordnance Disposal *1434th Engineer Company *1440th Engineer Detachment *1439th Engineer Detachment *1442nd Engineer Detachment *1071st Maintenance Company

References

{{reflist

External links

Grayling Area Visitors Bureau.Official Website
Buildings and structures in Crawford County, Michigan Buildings and structures in Kalkaska County, Michigan Buildings and structures in Otsego County, Michigan Installations of the United States Army National Guard Grayling Military installations in Michigan 1913 establishments in Michigan