Office of the Governor: CORZINE AUTHORIZES LIMITED TRAINING OPERATIONS AT WARREN GROVE
- Range will be subject to stringent safety controls and operational procedures

FROM THE OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR

August 15, 2008

Contact: Robert Corrales
609-777-2600


TRENTON - Governor Jon S. Corzine today sent a letter to Major General Glenn K. Rieth authorizing the Department of Military and Veterans’ Affairs to begin verifying stringent new safety controls and operational procedures at the Warren Grove Gunnery Range. The new operational and safety procedures outlined in the range’s new risk mitigation plan will be verified under the limited resumption of training operations by the New Jersey Air National Guard’s 177th Fighter Wing beginning on October 1, 2008. Upon validation of the new procedures the range will reopen to other units on November 1, 2008.

 

“It is important for our men and women fighting overseas to have the best training possible and Warren Grove is an integral location for their preparation,” said Corzine.  “However, this training needs to take into account the safety of the New Jersey residents living close to the Warren Grove Range.  These stringent new safety measures and operational procedures will improve safety at the range, and thorough and regular inspections will ensure the procedures are enforced.”

 

In May of 2007 a target flare dropped by an F-16 fighter jet during target practice started a forest fire at the gunnery range. The fire consumed more than 17,000 acres of forest, forced residential evacuations and damaged surrounding communities.  Target operations at the base have been ceased since the incident.

 

The Governor’s Letter is below.



Major General Glenn K. Rieth
Adjutant General
New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans’ Affairs
101 Eggerts Crossing Road
Lawrenceville, New Jersey 08648



Dear General Rieth:

After careful deliberation and an in-depth review of the Risk Mitigation Plan for the Warren Grove Range, it is evident that the Plan will ensure significant improvements in the operational and safety procedures at the Range.  Therefore, I will authorize a limited resumption of operations at the Range to begin on October 1, 2008 for purposes of verification and validation of the operational and safety procedures outlined in the Plan. This authorization is limited to operations of the New Jersey Air National Guard’s 177th Fighter Wing.

 

Upon validation of the new operational and safety procedures, I will authorize the reopening of the Range to other units effective November 1, 2008. The resumption of operations will be predicated on the thorough education of all units intending to utilize the facility. Any units not in compliance with the operational and safety procedures will be prohibited from resuming training at the Range.

 

To ascertain continued adherence to the protocol outlined in the Risk Mitigation Plan, I am directing that an independent procedural and safety inspection of the Range occur by July 1, 2009. This review will be followed by a subsequent inspection by January 1, 2010. The goal of the independent inspections will be to determine if the new procedures are continuing to be employed and whether the Range’s safety record remains satisfactory. Additional inspections will occur either every six months or annually depending on the findings of the July 2009 and January 2010 inspections.

 

The independent inspection team will be composed of individuals not associated with the day-to-day functions of the Warren Grove Range or the 177th Fighter Wing, but who possess a thorough background in Range operations, fighting forest fires, and commercial aviation safety. The inspection team should consist of, but should not be limited to: representatives from the Air National Guard Safety Office, the Air Space/Range Council from the National Guard Bureau, New Jersey Joint Force Headquarters – Air, New Jersey State Police, Aviation Section, the New Jersey Forest Fire Service, the commercial aviation industry, and the New Jersey Air National Guard’s 108th Air Refueling Wing.

 

As you are well aware, my paramount concern is the safety of the New Jersey residents living close to the Warren Grove Range. I realize the importance of the Warren Grove Range for the preparation and training of our fighter pilots. Honing their skills prior to a deployment is a key element to success in the military operations. At the same time, we must reach a balance that facilitates their mission and also ensures that the residents of the region are protected from any further incidents.

 

                                                                                                            Sincerely yours,

 

 

 

                                                                                                            Jon S. Corzine

                                                                                                            Governor