GRAYLING – National Guard and Active Duty units from Alabama, Illinois, and Michigan begin to occupy training sites at Camp Grayling this week; however, much of the training does not involve live fire. As a result most roads and trails will be OPEN to civilian traffic outside of all the major range complexes.
Many units are focused on logistical and maintenance requirements for Northern Strike. Another focus is drivers training and certification. Keeping fresh on qualifications and licensing are very important to ensuring vehicle operators are safe as they move in and around public roads with civilian summer traffic.
The remainder of the units will begin to arrive for the foundation week in preparation for Exercise Northern Strike 2021. As these units begin to arrive toward the end of the week and next week; some from as far away as Liberia, Africa, the UK, Taiwan, and Latvia. They will be driving and unloading equipment between the main camp, the Grayling Army Airfield, and the MATES facility on North Downriver Road. Local residents can expect some additional military traffic, as well as civilian traffic coming into the area to recreate and take part in the upcoming AuSable Canoe Marathon.
The skies will be busy too. For pilots of aircraft, Camp Grayling’s Military Restricted, Special Use Airspace (SUA), 4201-A & B, and 4202 will be used for aircraft training between the hours of 0700-1900 daily through July 16th. The SUA is a three-dimensional area above Ranges 13, 30, and 40 and controlled by the FAA. Only military aircraft are authorized to operate in this air space when activated. Pilots should file flight plans adjusting their routes around the SUA.
As always, Camp Commander COL Meyers appreciates the community support of the National Guard and asks everyone to be safe, and to be patient, as our transient population temporarily grows for a few weeks. Thanks and be safe out there. Hooah!
For further information about Camp Grayling call 989-344-6100, or check us out on Facebook @campgraylingmi.
