Camp Ripley
Encyclopedia
Camp Ripley is a 53000 acres (214.5 km²) military
and civilian
training facility operated by the Minnesota National Guard
located near the city of Little Falls
in the central part of the state. The location of the camp was selected in 1929 by Ellard A. Walsh, Adjutant General of the State of Minnesota. The site's winter warfare training course is the primary facility used by the National Guard for winter combat exercises. Camp Ripley also hosts the training academy for the Minnesota State Patrol
and is a popular site for athletes training to compete in winter biathlon
s. Most Minnesota Guard soldiers train at Camp Ripley during two-week annual training periods.
The camp is a state game refuge with resources managed cooperatively by the Department of Military Affairs and Department of Natural Resources
. It also houses the Minnesota Military Museum, a museum that is open for the public and military personnel.
in 1929. The State of Minnesota purchased 12000 acres (48.6 km²) of land to be used for military training. The site was officially named Camp Ripley in December 1930. It was named after Fort Ripley, a frontier fort that had been closed by the Federal Government in 1877. The remains of Fort Ripley are contained within the camp's property boundaries. The first soldiers that came to train at Camp Ripley stayed in tents, thus, training was only possible in the summer months. The government started to see that it wasn't beneficial to use tents all the time while training, so they built buildings. There are now many historic buildings at Camp Ripley. An example is Valhalla, the governors lodge. President Harry S. Truman
stayed there twice and so did Senator Eugene McCarthy. When the lodge isn't being used by the governor it is used for other VIP guests.
In 1951, the MN legislature approved the purchasing of more land by Camp Ripley. After the purchase they then had 45000 acres (182.1 km²) of land. Camp Ripley slowly bought more land and now has 53000 acres (214.5 km²).
, Minnesota DNR, and Foreign exchange programs.
The Miller Army Airfield is also located at the camp. Named for Ray S. Miller, it includes a 6100-foot (1860 m) runway
capable of accommodating C-130 aircraft. There are also five drop zone
s for training for the release of cargo
and personnel from aircraft. The airfield's FAA
identifier is KRYM.
Camp Ripley has a fully equipped winter training area. It is the National Guard's premier cold weather training site in the United States. There are: Biathlon courses, groomed cross country ski paths, special cold weather equipment, down hill ski slopes and all-weather ranges.
military, it sees regular visitors from Canada
, the Netherlands
, and Norway
(exchange programme with the Norwegian Home Guard
since February 1974, with a total of 3,000 Norwegians involved over the years and a similar number of Americans having gone to the Norwegian Home Guard training centre at Værnes), and the United Kingdom
.
Camp Ripley has been the host for the Minnesota State Patrol Academy since 1996. The men and women who train to become state patrol officers practice their shooting skills on one of Camp Ripley's ranges and practice driving maneuvers.
2008 Secretary of the Army, Environmental Security Award
"Natural Resources Conservation- Large Installation"
2005 Secretary of the Army, Environmental Security Award
"Natural Resources Conservation-team"
1998 Secretary of the Army, Environmental Security Award
"Natural Resources Conservation- Large Installation"
Military
A military is an organization authorized by its greater society to use lethal force, usually including use of weapons, in defending its country by combating actual or perceived threats. The military may have additional functions of use to its greater society, such as advancing a political agenda e.g...
and civilian
Civilian
A civilian under international humanitarian law is a person who is not a member of his or her country's armed forces or other militia. Civilians are distinct from combatants. They are afforded a degree of legal protection from the effects of war and military occupation...
training facility operated by the Minnesota National Guard
Minnesota National Guard
The Minnesota National Guard is composed of approximately 14,000 soldiers of the Minnesota Army National Guard and Airmen of the Minnesota Air National Guard, serving in 63 communities across the state. The Constitution of the United States specifically charges the National Guard with dual federal...
located near the city of Little Falls
Little Falls, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 7,719 people , 3,197 households, and 1,899 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,232.5 people per square mile . There were 3,358 housing units at an average density of 536.2 per square mile...
in the central part of the state. The location of the camp was selected in 1929 by Ellard A. Walsh, Adjutant General of the State of Minnesota. The site's winter warfare training course is the primary facility used by the National Guard for winter combat exercises. Camp Ripley also hosts the training academy for the Minnesota State Patrol
Minnesota State Patrol
The Minnesota State Patrol is the statewide police force in the state of Minnesota. The State Patrol concentrates primarily on traffic enforcement and highway safety. Troopers are also involved with accident reconstruction and commercial vehicle enforcement. The State Patrol capitol security...
and is a popular site for athletes training to compete in winter biathlon
Biathlon
Biathlon is a term used to describe any sporting event made up of two disciplines. However, biathlon usually refers specifically to the winter sport that combines cross-country skiing and rifle shooting...
s. Most Minnesota Guard soldiers train at Camp Ripley during two-week annual training periods.
The camp is a state game refuge with resources managed cooperatively by the Department of Military Affairs and Department of Natural Resources
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is the agency of the U.S. state of Minnesota charged with conserving and managing the state's natural resources. The agency maintains areas such as state parks, state forests, recreational trails, and recreation areas as well as managing minerals,...
. It also houses the Minnesota Military Museum, a museum that is open for the public and military personnel.
History of Camp Ripley
The site for Camp Ripley was first approved following World War IWorld War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
in 1929. The State of Minnesota purchased 12000 acres (48.6 km²) of land to be used for military training. The site was officially named Camp Ripley in December 1930. It was named after Fort Ripley, a frontier fort that had been closed by the Federal Government in 1877. The remains of Fort Ripley are contained within the camp's property boundaries. The first soldiers that came to train at Camp Ripley stayed in tents, thus, training was only possible in the summer months. The government started to see that it wasn't beneficial to use tents all the time while training, so they built buildings. There are now many historic buildings at Camp Ripley. An example is Valhalla, the governors lodge. President Harry S. Truman
Harry S. Truman
Harry S. Truman was the 33rd President of the United States . As President Franklin D. Roosevelt's third vice president and the 34th Vice President of the United States , he succeeded to the presidency on April 12, 1945, when President Roosevelt died less than three months after beginning his...
stayed there twice and so did Senator Eugene McCarthy. When the lodge isn't being used by the governor it is used for other VIP guests.
In 1951, the MN legislature approved the purchasing of more land by Camp Ripley. After the purchase they then had 45000 acres (182.1 km²) of land. Camp Ripley slowly bought more land and now has 53000 acres (214.5 km²).
Camp Ripley Training Site
Camp Ripley is a training site for the National Guard, Minnesota State Patrol, Minnesota Wing of the Civil Air PatrolCivil Air Patrol
Civil Air Patrol is a Congressionally chartered, federally supported, non-profit corporation that serves as the official civilian auxiliary of the United States Air Force . CAP is a volunteer organization with an aviation-minded membership that includes people from all backgrounds, lifestyles, and...
, Minnesota DNR, and Foreign exchange programs.
National Guard Training
Camp Ripley has small arms and tank ranges, maneuver training areas capable of supporting heavy brigade, and special operation training facilities. Examples of the special operation training facilities are: Three drop zones, rappel tower, confidence course, water training areas, two prisoner of war compounds, and many more.The Miller Army Airfield is also located at the camp. Named for Ray S. Miller, it includes a 6100-foot (1860 m) runway
Runway
According to ICAO a runway is a "defined rectangular area on a land aerodrome prepared for the landing and take-off of aircraft." Runways may be a man-made surface or a natural surface .- Orientation and dimensions :Runways are named by a number between 01 and 36, which is generally one tenth...
capable of accommodating C-130 aircraft. There are also five drop zone
Drop zone
A drop zone is a place where parachutists or parachuted supplies land. It can be an area targeted for landing by paratroopers, or a base from which recreational parachutists and skydivers take off in aircraft and land under parachutes...
s for training for the release of cargo
Cargo
Cargo is goods or produce transported, generally for commercial gain, by ship, aircraft, train, van or truck. In modern times, containers are used in most intermodal long-haul cargo transport.-Marine:...
and personnel from aircraft. The airfield's FAA
Federal Aviation Administration
The Federal Aviation Administration is the national aviation authority of the United States. An agency of the United States Department of Transportation, it has authority to regulate and oversee all aspects of civil aviation in the U.S...
identifier is KRYM.
Camp Ripley has a fully equipped winter training area. It is the National Guard's premier cold weather training site in the United States. There are: Biathlon courses, groomed cross country ski paths, special cold weather equipment, down hill ski slopes and all-weather ranges.
Foreign Exchange Program
In addition to being used by the United StatesUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
military, it sees regular visitors from Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, the Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
, and Norway
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
(exchange programme with the Norwegian Home Guard
Norwegian Home Guard
The Norwegian Home Guard , is a rapid mobilisation force in the Norwegian military. Founded 6 December 1946, it is the youngest branch in the Norwegian forces.-Organization:...
since February 1974, with a total of 3,000 Norwegians involved over the years and a similar number of Americans having gone to the Norwegian Home Guard training centre at Værnes), and the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
.
DNR and State Patrol Training
Camp Ripley houses the Department of Natural Resources Enforcement Center. DNR Conservation Officers are trained year-round in Camp Ripley's diverse habitat. They train by practicing controlled burns and studying the habitat.Camp Ripley has been the host for the Minnesota State Patrol Academy since 1996. The men and women who train to become state patrol officers practice their shooting skills on one of Camp Ripley's ranges and practice driving maneuvers.
Environmental Sector
The environment office studies the relationship and compatibility of military activities with wildlife. They use GIS (Geographic Information System) to determine training sites, figure out what areas have historic value, where eagle nests are and much more. Wildlife that is specifically studied are: bald eagle, white-tailed deer, black bear, blandings turtle and timber wolf. The Environmental office has won awards for their work at camp ripley and with the local area. The list of awards is as follows:2008 Secretary of the Army, Environmental Security Award
"Natural Resources Conservation- Large Installation"
2005 Secretary of the Army, Environmental Security Award
"Natural Resources Conservation-team"
1998 Secretary of the Army, Environmental Security Award
"Natural Resources Conservation- Large Installation"