Ohio National Guard News

Camp Ravenna improvements earn Secretary of the Army Environmental Award

Ohio Army National Guard cleans up

Story by Bill Pierce, Ohio National Guard Public Affairs

The Ohio Army National Guard has been recognized by the Secretary of the Army for its environmental restoration efforts at Camp Ravenna Joint Training Center in northeastern Ohio. Sites where soil was screened to remove munitions items were then graded and reseeded at the completion of the project in 2016. ~ U.S. Army photo

Excavated soils that were determined to contain munitions materials go through a magnetic separation process to filter out the munitions prior to transport and disposal. ~ U.S. Army photo

An up-armored excavator loads soil at Camp Ravenna to be screened to remove munitions items prior to transport and disposal as nonhazardous waste. ~ U.S. Army photo

An ash-like material identified during excavation activities is removed so it can be properly transported and disposed of at an approved hazardous waste facility. ~ U.S. Army photo

The MK-19 Range, constructed in 2006 after a munitions removal action was completed at the site in 2005. Further remediation was completed on land north of original three lanes in 2009 to allow for further weapons range development. ~ Courtesy photo

An up-armored excavator loads contaminated soil into adump truck, which will transport the soil to a munitions screening area during the 2016 remedial action project. ~ Courtesy photo

COLUMBUS, Ohio (04/12/18) — Environmental cleanup efforts that have enabled the Ohio Army National Guard to expand its training capabilities have earned the Secretary of the Army Environmental Award in the environmental restoration, individual/team category.

The multiagency Ravenna Army Ammunition Plant (RVAAP) Environmental Restoration team was recognized for a long-standing cleanup program and for creating two critical training resources at the former ammunition plant that is now known as Camp Ravenna Joint Military Training Center. The team’s ability to enable and expand military training at Camp Ravenna was the driving factor in winning the award.

“I’m so pleased the Secretary of the Army recognized the work of this team. All too often people who work behind the scenes to turn our vision into reality are overlooked. It’s great to see them receive the accolades they so richly deserve,” said Maj. Gen. John C. Harris Jr., Ohio assistant adjutant general for Army.

The Secretary of the Army Environmental Awards consist of five installation categories and four individual/team categories. The RVAAP Environmental Restoration team will compete against other military services in the Secretary of Defense competition, with winners scheduled to be announced sometime in April.

“Working together means great things can be accomplished,” said Col. William “Ed” Meade, Camp Ravenna commander. “Ultimately, this will benefit all training Soldiers at Camp Ravenna in the decades to come and reaffirm the compatibility of training with environmental stewardship.”

Camp Ravenna, the primary training site for the Ohio Army National Guard, sits on more than 21,000 acres of land in Portage and Trumbull counties in northeastern Ohio.