JERICHO, Vermont –
The Camp Ethan Allen Training Site in Jericho, Vermont, will resume full operations after an extended suspension caused by construction updates and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Vermont units are on a compressed time line because of training requirements leading up to likely 2021 deployments, training year 2020 requirements, and limited use during the past 10 months. Live fire is set for this weekend.
“Our deployments have not been impacted by COVID-19 and we need to be ready,” said Lt. Col. Matt Wignall, commander, 3rd Battalion 172D Infantry (MTN), Vermont Army National Guard. “Hundreds of our Vermonters are set to deploy starting in January, and we need to make we are ready for our missions,” said Wignall.
In addition to preparing for deployment, units have requirements that must be met within the training year which ends September. Training has often occurred at Fort Drum to meet requirements. Fort Drum has implemented a mandatory two week quarantine period for National Guard units which equates to an annual training period – eliminating Fort Drum as a possibility to mitigate the impact on the community around CEATS.
“This is going to be a busy summer at the range,” said Col. Eric Gagnon, commander, Garrison Support Command, Vermont Army National Guard. “There’s going to be a few more late nights and some additional weekday firing. I encourage anyone that has questions to call for clarity,” said Gagnon.
CEATS is a subordinate unit of the Garrison Support Command. Plans, operations, range safety, and all operations at the range are run by a dedicated full-time and part-time staff. Range staff has also led multiple efforts to mitigate the impact of noise on the local community. Range operations are subject to change.