Camp Pendleton (Virginia)

For the Marine Corps Base in California, see Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton.
Camp Pendleton State Military Reservation
Virginia Beach, Virginia
In use 1912—present
Controlled by Virginia National Guard

Camp Pendleton is a 325-acre (1.32 km2) state military reservation in Virginia Beach, Virginia, named after Brigadier General William N. Pendleton, who served as Robert E. Lee's chief of artillery during the Civil War. It lies on the Atlantic coast adjoining Naval Air Station Oceana.

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History

The facility was created in 1912 as the State Rifle Range for the use of the state militia. Between 1922 and 1942, it was named after the then serving Governor of Virginia. During both World Wars, the base was federalized. In World War I it was used by the U.S. Navy for coastal artillery training, and was controlled by Army during World War II, who first applied the name Camp Pendleton.[1]

Current use

The operation and maintenance of Camp Pendleton is funded primarily by the federal government through the National Guard Bureau, and its primary purpose is the training of personnel and organizations of the Virginia National Guard, as well as other states' National Guard units and components of the U.S. Armed Forces. When the facilities are not use by military organizations, state and local civilian agencies also conduct training at the site. Its facilities include a small arms range, helicopter landing strip, classrooms, barracks, dining halls, maintenance garages, training fields, and a chapel. Other tenants include the 203rd RED HORSE Air National Guard, and Military Sealift Command, whose facilities are leased to the federal government by the State of Virginia.[2]

Future

When the facility was created it was in a relatively remote, sparsely populated area, but since then, the City of Virginia Beach has grown and developed around it, leading to concerns over safety issues. The role of Camp Pendleton is also changing, as more National Guard training takes place at the much larger Fort Pickett. This has led to repeated requests by the City authorities to convert it to other uses, including complete or partial conversion to a state park.[2]

References

  1. ^ "Camp Pendleton". virginiaplaces.org. 2010. http://www.virginiaplaces.org/military/pendleton.html. Retrieved 2 March 2011. 
  2. ^ a b "Camp Pendleton State Military Reservation". globalsecurity.org. 2011. http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/facility/camp-pendleton-va.htm. Retrieved 2 March 2011. 

External links