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Military training area

{{Short description|Overview of military training areas by country}}

File:MLRS captured as a training round leaves the launch tube on the ranges at Otterburn. MOD 45158570.jpg firing a live missile at Otterburn Training Area]]

A military training area, training area (Australia, Ireland, and the United Kingdom) or training centre (Canada) is land set aside specifically to enable military forces to train and exercise for combat. Training areas are usually out of bounds to the general public, but some have limited access when not in use. As well as their military function, they often serve as important wildlife refuges. They are distinct from proving grounds which are designed for purposes such as testing weaponry or equipment.

Description

Military training areas are important because they enable troops to train more realistically and in greater numbers over a wide area without unduly inconveniencing the public or putting others at risk. They are particularly important for all arms training where the different elements of armed forces come together to cooperate and coordinate their fire and movement. Training areas often incorporate a variety of terrain types, including forests, heathland, waterbodies and farmland, as well as urban training facilities such as the 'Afghan village' at Thetford on Stanford Training Area. Such training areas are run by the military and are normally out-of-bounds to the public who may sometimes be allowed access during weekends or holidays.{{efn|For example, there is guidance on public access to UK training areas at [https://www.gov.uk/guidance/public-access-to-military-areas the HM Government website].}} Training areas may incorporate shooting ranges or designated areas where live firing is permitted.

Wildlife

Military training areas are often important wildlife refuges and can make a "significant contribution to conservation... if properly managed." This is because they comprise large tracts of countryside with restricted access and are free from development, cultivation or other exploitative activities. They typically divide into areas that are regularly disturbed by vehicle traffic or weapons such as bombs and missiles and areas that are relatively undisturbed.[https://news.mongabay.com/2016/11/military-training-areas-can-be-important-wildlife-refuges-new-study/ Military training areas can be important wildlife refuges: new study] at mongabay.com. Retrieved 22 December 2021.

Military training areas are home to some of our most endangered species of animals and plants "precisely because they are used by the military." In the US, 21% of endangered species live on DoD land which forms only 3% of the country. A Polish study showed that the training was not significantly detrimental to biodiversity. The major factor in this was the lack of human intervention for lengthy periods of time.[https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/news_84609.htm?selectedLocale=en Training among endangered species] at nato.int. Retrieved 22 December 2021.

In Germany, it has been found that wolves moving into new areas will invariably settle first in military training areas before spreading out. This may be because there is less poaching and the hunting areas tend to be far larger than those on private land, so they are less easy to find.[https://www.sciencealert.com/wolves-are-reclaiming-their-place-in-germany-and-it-s-all-because-of-the-armed-forces Wolves in Germany Are Making a Comeback, And The Military Is Weirdly Helping] at sciencealert.com. Retrieved 22 December 2021.

Training areas by country

= Asia =

==Singapore ==

  • Ama Keng
  • Gali Batu
  • Jalan Bahar
  • Jalan Kwok Min
  • Kranji Camp
  • Mandai
  • Marsiling
  • Neo Tiew Mega Training Area
  • Pulau Tekong
  • SAFTI Live Firing Area (Western Water Catchment, also called SAFTI LFA)
  • Simpang/Khatib
  • Southern Islands (SILFA)
  • Upper Thomson

Former military training areas:

  • Lentor East
  • Lentor West
  • Pasir Ris (~2023)
  • Tengah (~2015)

= Europe =

==Austria==

Austria has had important training areas since the 18th century. From 1938 the German Wehrmacht established new training areas, the largest being Döllersheim (now Allentsteig) Training Area in the Waldviertel.[http://www.aeiou.at/aeiou.encyclop.t/t860986.htm Truppenübungsplätze] at aeiou.at. Retrieved 22 December 2021. Other areas in use today include:

  • Allentsteig, Lower Austria (157 km2), largest training area in Austria
  • Bruckneudorf, Lower Austria
  • Glainach, Carinthia{{citation needed|reason=linked article has no mention of a proving ground|date=January 2018}}
  • Großmittel, Lower Austria{{citation needed|reason=linked article has no mention of a proving ground|date=January 2018}}
  • Hochfilzen, Tyrol
  • Marwiesen, Carinthia{{citation needed|reason=linked article has no mention of a proving ground|date=January 2018}}
  • Lizum-Walchen, Tyrol (50 km2)
  • Pöls, Styria{{citation needed|reason=linked article has no mention of a proving ground|date=January 2018}}
  • Seetaler Alpen, Styria{{citation needed|reason=need a reliable source for this proving ground|date=January 2018}}

==Bulgaria==

  • Novo Selo Range (144 km2), has designated areas and sectors for tank shooting, and nuclear, biological, and chemical defense and reconnaissance training.

==Czechia==

{{Further|Unincorporated area#Czechia}}

File:VÚ Boletice - panorama.jpg]]

There are four military training areas (MTAs) in Czechia with the total area of 1,296 km2. They are run by "Military Regions" and have been used since 1994 for joint exercises and training between the Czech armed forces and its allies. This was initially carried out as part of Partnership for Peace Programme and subsequently with NATO. In addition, since 2001, the armed forces of Austria, Belgium, France, Hungary, the Netherlands and the US have conducted national exercises on Czech MTAs.[https://www.army.cz/scripts/detail.php?id=5725 Military Regions] at army.cz. Retrieved 22 December 2021.

==Denmark==

==Finland==

==Germany==

File:Challenger 2 main battle tank on Hohne Ranges, Germany.jpg main battle tanks at Bergen-Hohne TA]]

== Ireland ==

==Italy==

==Poland==

  • Drawsko Training Ground (340 km2), belonging to the Polish Army and Air Force since 1946 and also used by NATO since 1996. This facility is internationally known as DPTA (Drawsko Pomorskie Training Area). It is also an important archeological excavation site.
  • Ośrodek Szkolenia Poligonowego Wojsk Lądowych Żagań (about 34,000 ha) in Żagań County and Bolesławiec County, belonging to the Polish Land Forces and also used by NATO{{citation needed|reason=need a reliable source for this proving ground|date=January 2018}}
  • Poligon Bierdusko (about 7,300 ha) in Biedrusko near Poznań, mainly used for tank and artillery training.

==Portugal==

==Romania==

File:Joint Allied Demonstration Day during Steadfast Defender 21.jpg

  • Babadag Training Area (27 km2), used for infantry and tanks training at company level as well as artillery subunits.
  • Capu Midia Training Range, used for a variety of exercises as well as for the reception and testing of various weapon systems.
  • Cincu Training Center (104 km2), used for training military personnel and units up to brigade level. Established in 1919, it is also the location of the NATO Multinational Battlegroup Romania.
  • Smârdan Training Area (about 100 km2), training area for infantry fighting vehicles and tanks as well as air bombing exercises.

==Spain==

==United Kingdom==

The UK has six regional training areas and twenty two overseas training areas.[https://www.gov.uk/guidance/defence-infrastructure-organisation-and-the-defence-training-estate The defence training estate] at gov.uk. Retrieved 22 December 2021.

= North America =

==Canada==

= Oceania =

==Australia==

Footnotes

{{notelist}}

References

{{reflist}}

Literature

  • Dudley, Marianna (2012). An Environmental History of the UK Defence Estate, 1945 to the Present. Bloomsbury.