In a significant development for military training, the Camp James A. Garfield Joint Military Training Center in Ravenna, has opened a new multipurpose machine gun range, marking a first in the state.

The range was inaugurated with a ceremonial first shot by Brig. Gen. Matthew Woodruff, Ohio assistant adjutant general for the Army.

"In past years, what you'd find is Ohio soldiers traveling to Indiana or Michigan or Kentucky or West Virginia to conduct things that we couldn't do here," Gen. Woodruff said. "Now, with the opening of this range, we're able to expand our opportunities in state, keeping our soldiers in our state using facilities in our own state and attracting soldiers from other states that pass through Ohio to get to other facilities."

This innovative range is designed to enhance the training of soldiers in a variety of weapons systems, using both light and heavy machine guns.

"So, having this facility at Camp James A. Garfield, adds capabilities to Ohio where we can fire up to 50 caliber machine guns, we can do it both mounted and dismounted," Gen. Woodruff said. "The capacity for influx of soldiers and airmen and law enforcement agencies to come in and utilize our facilities here just increases our ability to connect with our communities, and train our soldiers in a better way."

The range is expected to serve a significant number of military personnel.

"In Ohio, 90 Army units can use this facility, that's 10,500 soldiers pushing through this to utilize this facility," Gen. Woodruff said. "Then if you take other state capacity, it could be a phenomenal boost to camp James A. Garfield."

Which in turn, means more federal dollars for investment and expansion.

"The more other units we have trained here than the more dollars invested, we can keep going and building future ranges, future capabilities, and also employing more people here if we have more throughput," Lt. Col. Shaun Robinson said.

It can also mean an economic boost for the local economies.

"Hotels, restaurants, different businesses can see an increase in revenue based on the throughput that comes through here," Gen. Woodruff said.

Lt. Col. Shaun Robinson, Garrison Commander at Camp Garfield, shared his personal enthusiasm for the new development. "As a lifelong Ohio soldier, I always hated going to Camp Grayling Michigan, or Pennsylvania or other places to train when I could train here in my home state." He added, "The more relevant the more missions we can conduct, the more attractive it makes us and makes us a destination people are willing to travel here to train."

The opening of this range not only enhances the training capabilities at Camp James A. Garfield but also positions Ohio as a pivotal state in the national defense training landscape, promising economic and strategic benefits for years to come.