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Camp Edwards

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Adapted from the English Wikipedia article Camp Edwards, available under CC BY-SA 4.0Updated 7 August 20252 sources
Camp Edwards
Company typeMilitary training facility
IndustryMilitary training
Founded1938
Headquarters
Barnstable County, Massachusetts
,
United States
Area served
United States
OwnerUnited States Army National Guard

Camp Edwards is a military training facility of the United States, situated in the western region of Cape Cod within Barnstable County, Massachusetts. The camp bears the name of Major General Clarence Ransom Edwards, who commanded the 26th Division during World War I. Presently, it accommodates elements of the 3rd Battalion, 126th Aviation Regiment under the Massachusetts Army National Guard.

In 1931, the National Guard recognized the necessity for a more expansive training site than Camp Devens. By 1933, Cape Cod was chosen for this purpose, and Camp Edwards was formally established in 1938.

With the onset of World War II in 1940, the U.S. Army leased Camp Edwards as part of its mobilization efforts. Rapid construction efforts expanded the installation to accommodate 30,000 troops within a four-month span, with construction teams completing as many as 30 buildings per day. The facility functioned as a training base for anti-aircraft and amphibious forces and also served as a deployment hub. Around mid-1944, training operations relocated to Florida; however, Camp Edwards continued to operate as a hospital site, prisoner-of-war camp, and detention center for AWOL personnel until the conclusion of the war.

Following World War II, Camp Edwards was deactivated. Nearby, Otis Air Force Base was founded in 1948. The camp was reactivated during the Korean War to support troop training but remained inactive during the Vietnam conflict aside from occasional exercises.

Although there was an attempt to close Camp Edwards in the 1990s, it remained open due to opposition from military communities. During Hurricane Katrina relief efforts, it provided shelter for up to 2,500 evacuees under FEMA’s direction.

Today, Camp Edwards hosts two National Guard training centers—the only facilities of this type in the Northeast besides those at Fort Drum and Fort Dix—which are designed to replicate Middle Eastern operational environments for enhanced military readiness.

Units assigned

Former

Army

Marines

Non-military agencies

Initial training on Cape Cod

Camp Edwards began in 1908 when the Massachusetts State Militia held exercises within the Shawme-Crowell State Forest. By 1931, the National Guard required a training site larger than Camp Devens, prompting Governor James Curley to establish a Military Reservation Commission in 1935. The War Department authorized the acquisition of up to for military training purposes on Cape Cod. Troops started establishing camps in 1936, often utilizing outdated equipment from World War I, reflecting the isolationist stance of the period.[1]

Between 1935 and 1940, Massachusetts collaborated with the federal government—primarily through Works Project Administration funding—to build 63 structures and two turf runways at Otis Field. This project was the largest WPA undertaking in state history, employing over 600 workers. In 1938, Governor Charles F. Hurley officially dedicated Camp Edwards, named for World War I Major General Clarence Edwards. By 1940, under Major Thomas Waters of the 68th AA Regiment, the Army leased Camp Edwards and contracted Walsh Construction Company from New York to erect 1,300 cantonment buildings designed to house more than 30,000 troops. The goal was to complete construction by early 1941 to accommodate a year-long training period for the 26th Infantry Division.[1]

A railroad spur from Falmouth facilitated material deliveries during construction. At its peak in November 1940, approximately 18,343 workers operated across three shifts with a weekly payroll exceeding one million dollars, completing around 30 buildings per day. The entire project was finalized in only 125 days (from September 1940 through January 1941), setting a national standard for World War II camps using standardized 700 series designs.[1] The station was situated on Weaver Street.[2]

In January 1941, the federally activated 26th Infantry Division—originally composed of Massachusetts National Guard members—was augmented by recruits from New York and other New England states. Following training at Camp Edwards, the division took part in the Carolina Maneuvers and Coastal Patrol beginning April 1941. They returned to complete their service by December 6, just prior to the Pearl Harbor attack on December 7, which extended their federal duty until 1945.[1]

World War II

In 1941, the 101st Observation Squadron was federalized and transferred to Otis Field. Concrete runways were constructed in 1942 and expanded in 1943 to support advanced Allied aircraft operations. Due to its proximity to the ocean, the field became a significant anti-submarine base, hosting the 14th Antisubmarine Squadron from November 1942 until July 1943 before naval forces assumed full responsibility for anti-submarine missions.

A major fire occurred in February 1942 that destroyed 125 vehicles—including 40 brand-new units—marking the base’s only major fire incident.

From 1942 through 1944, a coast artillery battalion formed the core of the Antiaircraft Artillery Training Center at Camp Edwards, one of seven such U.S. Army installations during World War II. Activated in March 1942 under the Army Antiaircraft Command, it trained a total of 42 anti-aircraft battalions before its deactivation in July 1944. Satellite firing ranges used for weapons training—from small arms up to 90-mm guns—included Popponesset in Mashpee and Scorton Neck in Sandwich. Another anti-aircraft artillery center was located at Camp Wellfleet on Cape Cod.

The Amphibious Training Center, established in May 1942 under Army Ground Forces, together with the Engineer Amphibian Command formed in June 1942 under the United States Army Corps of Engineers, utilized Camp Edwards for amphibious warfare instruction. Initially led by Colonel Frank A. Keating, later succeeded by Colonel Daniel Noce with Lieutenant Colonel Arthur Trudeau serving as chief of staff, this command capitalized on nearby beaches despite seasonal limitations due to winter weather. Originally intended to prepare forces for a European invasion planned for late 1942, focus shifted toward supporting operations during the December 1942 North Africa campaign.

Training programs aimed to establish eight Engineer Amphibian Brigades (later renamed Engineer Special Brigades), with five initially assigned to Camp Edwards; ultimately six brigades underwent training—four at Camp Edwards—with deployments divided between European and Pacific theaters. Supporting beach training and maintenance were satellite camps: Camp Cotuit (Cotuit), Camp Havedoneit (Osterville), and Camp Washburn (Washburn Island). The 36th Infantry Division and 45th Infantry Division trained here before participating in amphibious assaults in Sicily and Italy. Notably, the first seasickness medication was tested at this location. Due to harsh winter conditions in fall 1942, training was relocated to Camp Carrabelle (later renamed Camp Gordon Johnston) in Florida. By December 1943, after completing primary training objectives, the Engineer Amphibian Command was disbanded in April 1944.

In addition, a "Convalescent Hospital" opened in 1942 treating wounded personnel from both European and Pacific theaters while providing an extensive WAAC nursing program that trained over 2,500 nurses from New England between 1942 and 1944.

An early urban combat training facility featured a mock German village constructed at Camp Edwards.

The East Coast Processing Center, inaugurated in October 1943 as America’s first facility of its kind, processed more than 40,000 AWOL soldiers prior to their overseas deployment.

Following the North Africa invasion in December 1942, a prisoner-of-war camp capable of housing up to 2,000 German POWs—many captured from Rommel’s Afrika Korps—was established near the runway area. These prisoners contributed labor toward base upkeep and local agricultural efforts, including salvaging timber after a severe hurricane struck in September 1944. Managed by the 1114th SCU throughout WWII, this camp processed and repatriated as many as 5,000 POWs.

By June of 1944, Camp Edwards had expanded to cover , accommodating nearly 2,000 officers alongside over 34,000 enlisted men.

In its concluding wartime function, Camp Edwards operated a Temporary Separation Center that discharged more than 12,900 returning GIs between 1945 and early 1946.

Cold War

Throughout the Cold War era, Camp Edwards continued to serve as a training ground for military personnel, with activity levels during the Korean War approaching those seen in World War II. In 1958, the United States Atomic Energy Commission proposed using the site for nuclear waste reprocessing; however, this initiative was never carried out.

Expansion of Otis Air Force Base

Following its deactivation in 1946 and placement under caretaker status, Camp Edwards primarily facilitated training for Air and Army National Guard units. The airstrip was lengthened to , and the 101st Observation Squadron was reactivated as the 101st Fighter Squadron. In 1948, Otis Field was acquired by the Air Force and redesignated as Otis Air Force Base. With the onset of the Korean War, Camp Edwards was reactivated in 1950 to support troop preparation.

A tragic mid-air collision occurred on April 9, 1952, above Camp Edwards when a C-47 transport aircraft collided with an F-94B jet, resulting in 12 fatalities.

In 1954, Congress approved transferring control of Camp Edwards from the Department of the Army to the Department of the Air Force to operate a military airfield. While the Army maintained control over certain areas, the Air Force expanded its presence by constructing new hangars and facilities between 1951 and 1956. Otis emerged as one of three Air Defense Command installations in the northeastern United States alongside Hanscom AFB and Ethan Allen AFB. It housed the headquarters of the 33rd Fighter Interceptor Wing and the 564th Air Defense Group, later renamed the 33rd Air Defense Group, along with its fighter squadrons.

In 1955, Otis AFB became home to the 551st Airborne Early Warning and Control Wing, which operated modified EC-121 Constellation aircraft tasked with conducting long-range reconnaissance missions over the Atlantic Ocean. Additional units stationed there included the 4707th Air Defense Wing, 33rd Fighter Wing, and both the 58th and 60th Fighter-Interceptor Squadrons. Otis played an integral role within the national defense framework known as the Semi Automatic Ground Environment, under the command of North American Aerospace Defense Command, functioning as a radar and flight support hub.

By 1959, Otis had deployed CIM-10 BOMARC surface-to-air missiles northwest of its runway. These were managed by the 26th Air Defense Missile Squadron and served as a complement to nearby Army Nike missile installations. Nationwide, Otis was among eight sites equipped with these missile defenses.

With John F. Kennedy’s administration commencing in 1961, Otis gained prominence as a frequent stop for Air Force One, owing to its close proximity to Kennedy’s Hyannisport residence. The President maintained office quarters in Building 102 and utilized Building 110—known as Kennedy Cottage—as an operational center for meetings and public engagements during arrivals and departures.

Return to National Guard Control

In 1973, Camp Edwards saw an end to Army operations, coinciding with the closure of Otis Air Force Base. By 1975, it reopened as Otis Air National Guard Base, integrating its functions within the Massachusetts Military Reservation framework. The Air Force made a return in 1978 by establishing a Perimeter Acquisition Vehicle Entry Phased Array Warning System (PAVE PAWS) site at Cape Cod Air Force Station. An incident occurred in 1986 when a Connecticut Army National Guard artilleryman overshot a firing target by more than a mile, striking U.S. Route 6; fortunately, no injuries resulted despite a crater being formed.

Recent developments

Camp Edwards remains a vital training location for Army National Guard units across the country and has been considered as a potential site for a Department of Homeland Security training facility, building upon its legacy of the World War II-era simulated German village.

In 1986, the Regional Training Institute (RTI), previously known as the Massachusetts Military Academy (MMA), moved from Camp Curtis Guild in Reading to Camp Edwards. Since this relocation, all RTI programs—including the annual two-week training session and officer candidate school for the Massachusetts Army National Guard—have been conducted at this installation.

Environmental & Readiness Center (E&RC)

Beginning in the late 1970s, the Massachusetts Military Reservation, situated above Cape Cod’s main drinking water aquifer, has been the focus of the largest government-directed environmental cleanup in the nation. Years of disposal involving explosives, ammunition, fuel, and sewage runoff led to several contaminated groundwater plumes. While remediation is primarily overseen by the Air Force and Army, the Massachusetts National Guard continues to adjust its operations to comply with environmental regulations without hindering essential military training activities.

Base closure considerations

In 1998, Congressman William Delahunt put forward a proposal to shut down Camp Edwards. The following year, Governor Paul Cellucci recommended transforming the northern 15,000 acres—including Pine Hill—into a state conservation preserve. This plan encountered resistance from the Massachusetts National Guard and was eventually abandoned.

The 2005 decision by the Base Realignment and Closure Commission (BRAC) to close Otis Air National Guard Base affected all occupants within the Massachusetts Military Reservation. Subsequently, an agreement was reached to convert the 102d Air Fighter Wing into the 102nd Intelligence Wing while maintaining Coast Guard Air Station Cape Cod on site. Although the 102d AFW and its fighter aircraft relocated to Barnes Air National Guard Base, shared expenses such as security and utilities ensured that Camp Edwards’ operational missions continued without interruption.

After Hurricane Katrina, Camp Edwards provided shelter for 250 evacuees from New Orleans in renovated military barracks equipped with support and dining facilities.

Recent infrastructure developments

On June 7, 2008, two new training complexes were dedicated in memory of Massachusetts Army National Guard soldiers who lost their lives.

The Theater Training Base (TTB) replicates combat zones like Iraq and Afghanistan to expedite unit readiness. Soldiers reside in tents supported by modular shower and sink units; the facility includes barriers, guard towers, and entry control points. It honors Sgt. Michael J. Kelley, who was killed in Afghanistan in 2005.

The Military Operations in Urban Terrain (MOUT) Site Calero facilitates urban training at a company level with 48 structures constructed from connex containers. These include residential quarters, a schoolhouse, marketplace, and place of worship. The site trains soldiers in room clearing techniques and civilian-insurgent identification. It is named after Maj. Jeffrey R. Calero, who died in Afghanistan in 2007.

Other notable facilities include:

  • A Battle Simulation Center outfitted with JANUS hardware and software for Warfighter Exercises, Virtual Battlefield Trainer scenarios, multi-agency tabletop drills, and emergency response support.
  • Plans as of 2010 called for a 7,540-square-foot Live Fire Shoot House designed to improve proficiency with small arms and close quarters combat before deployment. This range will also be accessible to other Department of Defense entities and federal agencies.

The Tactical Training Team (TTT), consisting of seasoned non-commissioned officers recently returned from deployments in Iraq or Afghanistan, delivers expert instruction in combatives, weapons handling, communications, indirect fire coordination, combat lifesaving techniques, air assault operations, urban combat tactics, IED countermeasures, CBRN environments, and leadership development. The TTT supports the Massachusetts Army National Guard’s Pre-Deployment Training Assessment and Evaluation (PTAE) Team by validating the readiness of deploying units.

On September 20, 2014, three Afghan military officers visiting Camp Edwards disappeared during a cultural event; they were subsequently discovered seeking asylum near Niagara Falls while attempting entry into Canada.

Training Support Center (TSC)

The center includes two rappel towers, an obstacle course, a driving training zone, and specialized training facilities such as:

  • Call For Fire Trainer (CFFT) – Offers battlefield simulations to train Joint Fires Observers at both institutional and unit levels.
  • Indoor Simulated Weapons Training – Consists of the Equipment Skills Trainer (EST) alongside the Fire Arms Training System (FATS).
  • Leadership Reaction Course (LRC) – A 17-station setup aimed at enhancing leadership abilities, teamwork, as well as technical and tactical competencies.
  • Virtual Convoy Operations Trainer (VCOT) – Delivers geo-specific mission rehearsals featuring 360-degree situational awareness and simulates threats including IEDs, RPGs, and suicide vehicle attacks.

Notable attendees

  • Charles H. Coolidge – Recipient of the Medal of Honor for actions during WWII
  • Bill Mauldin – Served with the 45th Infantry Division
  • Eddie Waitkus – Member of the 544th Engineer Boat & Shore Regiment, US Army
  • Henry T. Waskow – Assigned to Company B, First Battalion, 143rd Regiment, 36th Infantry Division

See also

External links

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named History
  2. ↑ Farson, Robert H. and Joan Hollister Farson. Cape Cod Railroads Including Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket. Cape Cod Historical Publications, Yarmouthport, Massachusetts, 1993.

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FFort DevensCCamp Dawson (West Virginia)CCamp PerryFFort Chaffee Maneuver Training Center
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