Camp W. G. Williams, commonly known as Camp Williams, also known as Army Garrison Camp Williams, is a

National Guard National guard is the name used by a wide variety of current and historical uniformed organizations in different countries. The original National Guard was formed during the French Revolution around a cadre of defectors from the French Guards. ...

training site operated by the Utah National Guard. It is located south of Bluffdale, west of Lehi, and north of Saratoga Springs and Cedar Fort, approximately south of

Salt Lake City Salt Lake City, often shortened to Salt Lake or SLC, is the capital and most populous city of the U.S. state of Utah. It is the county seat of Salt Lake County, the most populous county in the state. The city is the core of the Salt Lake Ci ...

, straddling the border between Salt Lake County and Utah County in the western portion of the Traverse Mountains. Camp Williams is also home to the Non-Commissioned Officer's Basic Leader Course, which is taught to Active, National Guard, and Reserve components. Camp Williams land comprises about of flat area and of mountainous region.

History

The Utah Army National Guard traces its roots to the Utah Territorial Militia, known as the Nauvoo Legion, which operated under territorial law from 1847 until its dissolution by the Edmunds–Tucker Act of 1887. The Nauvoo Legion functioned similarly to other state militias, requiring service from adult males aged 18 to 45. The militia played critical roles in protecting settlers during conflicts such as the Utah War,

Black Hawk War The Black Hawk War was a conflict between the United States and Native Americans in the United States, Native Americans led by Black Hawk (Sauk leader), Black Hawk, a Sauk people, Sauk leader. The war erupted after Black Hawk and a group of ...

, and Walker War, often conducting annual musters and training exercises near what is now Camp Williams. In 1914, President

Woodrow Wilson Thomas Woodrow Wilson (December 28, 1856February 3, 1924) was the 28th president of the United States, serving from 1913 to 1921. He was the only History of the Democratic Party (United States), Democrat to serve as president during the Prog ...

designated 18,700 acres near the Jordan Narrows as permanent training grounds for military purposes. Although the land was rough and unsuitable for a cantonment, the state rented and later purchased nearby flatter land to establish training facilities. In 1926 and 1927, the Utah National Guard held its annual encampments at the site. In 1928, the camp was officially named Camp W.G. Williams in honor of Brigadier General William Grey Williams, recognizing his service since the

Spanish–American War The Spanish–American War (April 21 – August 13, 1898) was fought between Restoration (Spain), Spain and the United States in 1898. It began with the sinking of the USS Maine (1889), USS ''Maine'' in Havana Harbor in Cuba, and resulted in the ...

and efforts to secure the site as a permanent training location. During the interwar period, Camp Williams expanded its facilities to include mess halls, barracks, and training ranges, with significant federal funding covering construction and maintenance. By the late 1930s, the camp was equipped to support over 1,300 soldiers annually. World War II transformed the camp into a critical training site for the U.S. Army, hosting over 5,000 personnel for intensive combat preparation. The site was temporarily expanded with over 100 new buildings, including barracks and training facilities. In the postwar era, Camp Williams continued to serve as a central training site for the Utah National Guard. New developments, such as the addition of modern ranges, classrooms, and a swimming pool, supported growing training needs during the

Korean War The Korean War (25 June 1950 – 27 July 1953) was an armed conflict on the Korean Peninsula fought between North Korea (Democratic People's Republic of Korea; DPRK) and South Korea (Republic of Korea; ROK) and their allies. North Korea was s ...

and subsequent Cold War period. Today, Camp W.G. Williams spans over 50 square miles, combining rugged terrain and modern facilities to provide comprehensive training environments for military and civilian agencies.

Machine Gun Fire

On September 19, 2010, a live-fire .50-caliber machine gun training exercise at Camp Williams sparked the " Machine Gun Fire," resulting in over 3,500 acres burned and the destruction of three homes in Herriman. Utah National Guard commander Maj. Gen. Brian Tarbet publicly took responsibility for the fire, describing it as a "systemic failure." He admitted that the exercise should have been halted as it occurred on a designated red-flag day, characterized by high fire risk due to weather conditions. The fire likely began when a machine-gun round struck a rock, igniting dry brush. Although Camp Williams fire crews initially believed the fire was under control, strong winds rapidly spread the flames, overcoming firebreaks and consuming additional acres. Nearly 5,000 residents were evacuated, with 1,652 homes in the affected area. Miraculously, only three homes were lost, with one additional home damaged, and no serious injuries were reported. Gov. Gary Herbert, who surveyed the damage, described the low number of homes lost as "remarkable" and "a miracle." Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) committed to covering 75% of the containment costs. The incident prompted the National Guard to temporarily suspend live-fire training while investigating the failure to adhere to established protocols, including checking red-flag conditions before conducting exercises.

Utah Data Center

From 2011 to 2013, the

National Security Agency The National Security Agency (NSA) is an intelligence agency of the United States Department of Defense, under the authority of the director of national intelligence (DNI). The NSA is responsible for global monitoring, collection, and proces ...

(NSA) built a ''Community Comprehensive National Cybersecurity Initiative Data Center'' at Camp Williams, the first in a series of data centers required for the Comprehensive National Cybersecurity Initiative. Utah's selection as the data center's location was the result of a rigorous evaluation process. Bluffdale outcompeted 38 other potential sites due to several key factors, including low utility rates, proximity to secure electrical transmission lines, open land on a military installation, and the availability of a skilled workforce supported by nearby universities and technology companies. Utah's cold winters and low humidity also contributed to reduced cooling costs for the facility. Political advocacy also played a significant role. Then-Governor Jon Huntsman Jr. and Senator Orrin Hatch lobbied extensively for the project, emphasizing Utah's infrastructure and national security commitment. Bluffdale's location at the gap between the Wasatch and Oquirrh mountains provided natural geographic advantages, while its proximity to the Utah National Guard's Camp Williams added an extra layer of security. The facility, constructed on of Camp Williams' former airfield, uses 65 megawatts of electricity—costing approximately $40 million annually—and 1,210 gallons of water per minute to cool its systems. Opened in 2013, the data center enhanced the NSA's capability to store and process massive amounts of data, including emails, instant messages, and phone calls from around the globe. Despite speculation about the role of Utah's predominantly conservative population and its members of

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, informally known as the LDS Church or Mormon Church, is a Nontrinitarianism, nontrinitarian Restorationism, restorationist Christianity, Christian Christian denomination, denomination and the ...

, former NSA officials and analysts have stated that the choice was driven purely by practical considerations, including cost, security, and infrastructure.

U.S. Army Reserve Relocation to Camp Williams

In 2023, the Utah State Legislature took a significant step in facilitating the relocation of the U.S. Army Reserve (USAR) operations from Fort Douglas to Camp Williams. This move was made possible through the passage of Senate Bill 2 (S.B. 2) – New Fiscal Year Supplemental Appropriations Act, which allocated $100 million to support the relocation. The relocation project includes the acquisition of a 31.9‑acre site within Camp Williams and the construction of a 220,000‑square‑foot Army Readiness Center. The new facility is designed to house administrative offices, secure storage areas, training spaces, and a vehicle maintenance shop. Once completed, the site will provide support for over 16,000 soldiers and civilians from the 76th Operational Response Command, 807th Medical Command (Deployment Support), and the 405th Civil Affairs Battalion (CA BN). In addition to the funding for the new facility, legislative measures were enacted to support the purchase of 50.9 acres at Fort Douglas, which will be transferred to the University of Utah. This land will be used for the expansion of health sciences research centers, student housing, and recreational facilities. The historic integrity of Fort Douglas will be preserved through coordinated efforts between the university, the Utah National Guard, and federal agencies. Utah's funding of this federal military relocation is unique, as it represents one of the only state‑funded initiatives of its kind in the United States. The project is scheduled for completion by 2026, with oversight provided by state and federal agencies to ensure transparency and efficient allocation of resources. While the 405th Civil Affairs Battalion (CA BN) falls under the U.S. Army Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations Command (USACAPOC), there is no publicly available information indicating that USACAPOC has provided input, funding, or official statements regarding the relocation of U.S. Army Reserve operations from Fort Douglas to Camp Williams.

References

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