Wendell H. Ford Regional Training Center Explained

The Wendell H. Ford Regional Training Center (WHFRTC) is a training ground located near Greenville in Muhlenberg County, Kentucky, and is the primary training center for the Kentucky National Guard.^{[1] [2]} Named for Wendell Ford, U.S. Senator and 53rd Governor of Kentucky, the site began in 1969 with, and as of 2017 encompassed of reclaimed strip mining land.^{[1] [3]}

The facility was dedicated on October 17, 1997.^[4] Prior to the establishment of WHFRTC, the majority of the land was managed by Peabody Coal Company.^[5]

As of September 16, 2017 the installation is commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Joe Lear, with Command Sergeant Major Keith Cox as the ranking enlisted soldier.^[6] The center serves as a training location for an average of 70,000 personnel per year.^[6]

Training programs

WHFRTC has a history of hosting a number of training programs for both military and civilian personnel, including:

• 807th Medical Command, Best Warrior competition^[7]
• American Legion Kentucky Boys State Program^[8]
• Exportable Combat Training Capability Exercise (2005)^[9]
• Kentucky National Guard Officer Candidate School^[6]
• Kentucky National Guard Warrant Officer Candidate School^[6]
• 52nd Ordnance Group (EOD) Team of the Year competition (2016)^[10]
• Kentucky Army National Guard Best Warrior competition^[11]

Additionally, WHFRTC is home to the National Responder Preparedness Center, a joint training mission with the Kentucky State Fire Commission, which opened in 2013.^{[12] [13]} WHFRTC was also used as a regional support area during the August 2017 lunar eclipse.^[14]

Facilities

• Barracks for almost 500
• Dining facility with seating for 400
• Computer simulated training facility
• Live fire weapons ranges
• Hardened bivouac sites
• Controlled humidity storage complex
• Obstacle course
• 4,200 ft. grass runway
• Equipment maintenance facilities
• Drill hall^{[2] [15]}

See also

• List of United States military bases
• National Guard of the United States
• United States Army Reserve

External links

• • from Kentucky Educational Television

37.257°N -87.209°W

Notes and References

1. Web site: Wendell H. Ford Regional Training Center: Welcome. Wendell H. Ford Regional Training Center. 30 November 2017.
2. Web site: Garrison Training Centers. Kentucky National Guard. 30 November 2017.
3. Book: Talbott. Robert. Chin Music from a Greyhound: The Confessions of a Civil War Reenactor 1988-2000. Jun 22, 2016. AuthorHouse. 9781524607852. 30 November 2017.
4. Web site: Wendell H. Ford Regional Training Center. Calhoun Construction Services. 30 November 2017.
5. Web site: Kentucky Army National Guard Environmental Security Awards Fy12 Natural Resources Conservation—Large Installation. https://web.archive.org/web/20161210132043/http://www.denix.osd.mil/awards/fy12secdef/nrcli/wendell-h-ford-regional-training-center-kentucky-army-national-guard/. dead. December 10, 2016. United States Army. 30 November 2017.
6. News: Morlu. Abe. WHFRTC welcomes new commander. 30 November 2017. Army National Guard.
7. Web site: 807th Medical Command. United States Army Reserve. 30 November 2017.
8. News: Education news of interest in Central Kentucky for week of June 29. Lexington Herald-Leader. 30 November 2017.
9. Web site: Wheeler. Thomas. 1st Army, XCTC helps Texas guardsmen prepare for combat. Fort Hood Sentinel. 30 November 2017.
10. Web site: 52nd and 111th Ordnance Group (EOD) Joint Team of the Year 2016 [Image 2 of 21]]. Defense Video Imagery Distribution System. 30 November 2017.
11. Web site: Martin. Stephen D. Best Warrior Competition Highlights Kentucky Guard’s Finest Soldiers. Kentucky National Guard. 30 November 2017.
12. Web site: Jones. Whitney. Officials Celebrate New Responder Training Center. WKMS-FM. 30 November 2017.
13. Web site: About NRPC. National Responder Preparedness Center. 30 November 2017.
14. Web site: Plans take shape as Aug. 21 eclipse nears. The Messenger. 30 November 2017. May 29, 2017.
15. News: Canning. Rob. New Commander Takes Over Kentucky National Guard's Wendell H. Ford Regional Training Center. 30 November 2017. WKMS-FM.