The Deseret Morning News had this article on Thursday, regarding the Utah National Guard Readiness Act presented by Representative Rob Bishop last September.The act would transfer land that is already "withdrawn for military use" (see DMN graphic) from the Bureau of Land Management to the state of Utah, to be used by the Utah National Guard. The land in question already lies within the borders of Camp Williams.
Camp Williams is a first rate training site, and a major training destination for guard units from all over the western United States. Expansion of the garrison's facilities are limited however, as COL Olsen pointed out in the article, by the installation's topography. Moreover the rapidly expanding residential developments that surround the camp (
Saratoga Springs, Lehi, Eagle Mountain and Bluffdale) also limit training activities, particularly exercises conducted by the state's artillery and combat engineer units.It was not long ago that Camp Williams was considered remote and "out of the way," but the Utah National Guard training site is finding itself closer and closer to the metropolitan heart of Utah. This legislation is an important part of preserving Camp Williams' ability to respond to our nation's military needs. In the future, attention should be given to preserving the ranges farther to the west that are so vital to tactical and weapons training.
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