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Coordinates: 17°59′25″N 66°17′09″W / 17.9903°N 66.2858°W / 17.9903; -66.2858
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{{short description|Military training installation in Salinas, Puerto Rico}}
{{Unreferenced|date=February 2011}}{{infobox Military Structure
{{infobox military installation
|name=Camp Santiago
|name= Camp Santiago Joint Training Center
⚫
|location=Salinas, Puerto Rico
|partof=[[Puerto Rico National Guard]]
⚫
|location=[[Salinas, Puerto Rico]]
|built=1940
|built=1940
|used=1940 - present
|used=1940 - present
|image=[[Image:PuertoRicoSTARCSSI.gif|75px]] [[Image:Combat service identification badge of the 92nd Maneuver Enhancement Brigade.svg|75px]]
|image=[[Image:Image92nd Infantry Brigade.gif]]
|caption=92nd Maneuver Enhancement Brigade shoulder sleeve insignia.
|caption= Camp Santiago Joint Training Center
|type=Military Training Site
|type= Military training installation
|controlledby=[[Puerto Rico National Guard]]
|controlledby=[[Puerto Rico National Guard]]
|garrison=[[92nd Maneuver Enhancement Brigade]]
|garrison=[[92nd Maneuver Enhancement Brigade]]
|battles=
|current_commander=Col. Alvin Aponte
|coordinates= {{coord|17.9903|-66.2858|display=inline,title}}
}}
}}


'''Camp Santiago Joint Maneuver Training Center (CSJMTC)''' is the [[Puerto Rico National Guard]] training center on 12,000 acres of land located in [[Salinas, Puerto Rico]].
'''Camp Santiago Joint Training Center''' is a military training installation controlled by the [[Puerto Rico National Guard]] on {{convert|16,000|acres|order=flip}} of land located in [[Salinas, Puerto Rico]]. This training facility was named posthumously after [[Medal of Honor]] recipient and native of Salinas, Puerto Rico, [[Specialist (rank)|Specialist]] Four [[Héctor Santiago-Colón]].

⚫
==History==
[[File:Soldiers of 65th Infantry after an all day schedule of maneuvers at Salinas, Puerto Rico. August 1941..jpg|right|200px|thumb|Soldiers of the 65th Infantry chow during a day of training in Salinas, Puerto Rico. August 1941.]] Camp Santiago was acquired from the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico in 1940 by the [[United States Army]] for training and was originally established as the Salinas Training Area. In 1967, the U.S. Government licensed the camp to the Puerto Rico National Guard. Since that time the camp has grown from a tent city with very few permanent facilities to an installation of more than 300 buildings of approximately {{convert|715,680|sqft|order=flip}}.

⚫
In 1941 the [[65th Infantry Regiment]] 3rd Battalion was the first combat unit to train at this Southern Puerto Rico military camp before being sent to [[Panama]] to protect the [[Panama Canal]] during [[World War II]].

In 1966 Col. [[Alberto A. Nido]] requested the construction of a range, the [[National Guard Bureau]] approved the construction at the cost of $10,000. Captain Gabriel I. Peñagarícano was assigned project officer and the U.S. Army Antilles Command caretakers of the camp, provided earth-moving equipment and personnel. In 1974, Campamento Santiago's air strip was renamed after administrative official Manuel Collazo.<ref name="Norat429">{{Harvnb|Norat|1987|pp=429}}</ref>

In 1975 he camp was renamed as Camp Santiago after Fourth Class Specialist Héctor Santiago Colón from Salinas, Puerto Rico, a posthumous Medal of Honor recipient.<ref name="Norat415">{{Harvnb|Norat|1987|pp=415}}</ref> The soldier died at the [[Qtuang Tri Province]], [[South Vietnam]] on June 28, 1968, while serving for [[1st Cavalry Division (United States)|1st Cavalry Division]], [[7th Cavalry Regiment|7th Cavalry]], Company B, 5th Battalion, and became famous for trying to shield his comrades from a grenade with his own body.<ref name="Norat415"/> The installation used for training of the Puerto Rico National Guard was formally named "Campamento Santiago" pursuant to an order issued by the General Quarters of the United States Army on July 1, 1975.<ref name="Norat415"/> This marked the second instance that a military installation in Puerto Rico was renamed after a local soldier after Campamento García in Vieques was named after Fernando García.<ref name="Norat415"/> Major General [[Carlos Fernando Chardón|Carlos Chardón]] was actively involved in the process to propose the recognition.<ref name="Norat416">{{Harvnb|Norat|1987|pp=416}}</ref> The Cal. 45 shooting range at Campanento Santiago was named after Col. Eduardo Andino, a distinguished pistol and rifle shooter that won a U.S. Army National Pistol Championship in 1922.<ref name="Norat364">{{Harvnb|Norat|1987|pp=364}}</ref>

⚫
From 1990 to 1991, military units in Puerto Rico such as the [[92nd Maneuver Enhancement Brigade]] reported to Camp Santiago for initial training in preparation before deployment to [[Operation Desert Storm]] in Kuwait. Camp Santiago also had a role in training National Guard and Reserve soldiers in Puerto Rico for [[Operation Enduring Freedom]] during the [[War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)]]. In 2006 more soldiers went back to Camp Santiago to prepare for the [[Iraq War]] during [[Operation Desert Shield (Gulf War)|Operation Desert Shield]].

The [[U.S. Navy]] had a radio station receiver site at Camp Santiago.

Camp Santiago also served as an Athletes' Villages for the [[1993 Central American and Caribbean Games]] in Ponce and the [[2010 Central American and Caribbean Games]] in Mayagüez.

Following the events of [[Hurricane Maria]] in 2017, Camp Santiago JTC suffered damages, the Puerto Rico National Guard received an injection of $500 million to improve and repair post facilities the due to the force of the hurricane.


==Installation==
==Installation==
Though it has no permanent residents, Camp Santiago can house thousands of troops on a temporarily basis, some old barracks are being replaced with new 2 level barracks, a Puerto Rico National Guard Museum, a theater, a Class Six Shoppette and in 2009 [[AAFES]] opened a new [[Post exchange]] and gas station on base. With rifle and pistol ranges, a leadership reaction course, dinning facilities, a chapel, classrooms and maintenance shops makes Camp Santiago the best military training facility in Puerto Rico. An $1.7 million Urban Assault Course will be constructed at Camp Santiago.
Camp Santiago Joint Training Center (CSJTC) is located {{convert|51|mi|order=flip}} south of San Juan, the capital of Puerto Rico. The main gate is located right off [[Puerto Rico Highway 52]] on exit 65, the camp is easily accessible from almost everywhere in Puerto Rico. Though it has no permanent residents, Camp Santiago can house thousands of troops on a temporarily basis. Some old barracks were demolished and replaced with new barracks; Other facilities include the Sustainment Automation Support Management Office (SASMO), a Puerto Rico National Guard Museum, Theater, Dining Facilities, Base Chapel, Fire Station, a pool for recreation and water training exercises, a cyber café (computer classroom/laboratory), Troop Medical Clinic, The Brig Gen. Victor J. Torres Fitness Center, ID Card office, MWR Community Center and [[AAFES]] [[post exchange]] and gas station on base.


Training facilities at Camp Santiago include Virtual Convoy Operations Trainer (OCOT), Call For Fire Trainer (CFFT), Engage Similation Training (EST2000), Maneuver Area Training Equipment Site (MATES), 2HMMWV Engress Assistance Trainer (HEAT), FOB Compound Area, EID Path Zoo, a new Rappelling Tower, AWTs, Pre-mob Training Area, Multi-Purpose Machine Gun Range and an Urban Assault Range (UAR). Future projects for the Camp Santiago Joint Maneuver Training Center (CSJMTC) includes a land navigation course, a live shooting house, and a military pistol qualification range.
Campamento Santiago or Salinas as is commonly known is use by the [[U.S. Army]], [[Army National Guard]], [[U.S. Army Reserve]], [[U.S. Marine Corps Reserve]], [[Puerto Rico Air National Guard]] and [[National Guard of the United States|National Guard]] units from the Unites States also use Camp Santiago for their annual military readiness training. The [[Army ROTC]] and the [[Air Force ROTC]] held their semester field training exercises at Camp Santiago. The Puerto Rico Rifle and Pistol Association hold their state championship every year in Camp Santago.


Warriors Plaza was inaugurated on September 11, 2011, to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 [[9/11]] tragedy and honor all the service members of the Puerto Rico National Guard who were mobilized to the New York area to respond to the search and rescue mission.
⚫
==History==
[[File:Soldiers of 65th Infantry after an all day schedule of maneuvers at Salinas, Puerto Rico. August 1941..jpg|right|200px|thumb|Soldiers of the 65th Infantry training in Salinas, Puerto Rico. August 1941.]]
⚫
In 1941 the [[65th Infantry Regiment]] was the first combat unit to train at this Southern Puerto Rico military camp before being sent to [[Panama]] to protect the [[Panama Canal]] during [[War World II]].


==Current use==
This Military facility was renamed from Camp Salinas to Camp Santiago in 1975 in honor of [[Specialist (rank)|Specialist]] Four [[Héctor Santiago-Colón]] who received the [[Medal of Honor]] during the [[Vietnam War]]. Salinas, Puerto Rico was Specialist Hector Santiago's birth place.


[[File:Puerto Rico Army National Guard.jpg|250px|thumb|Puerto Rico Army National Guard soldiers present the colors at the 2012 annual training closing ceremonies at Camp Santiago, PR.]]
⚫
From 1990 til 1991 all Puerto Rican military units such as the [[92nd Maneuver Enhancement Brigade]] reported to Camp Santiago for initial training in preparation before deployment to [[Operation Desert Storm]]. From 2001 Camp Santiago also had a roll in training National Guard and Reserve units in Puerto Rico for the [[Operation Enduring Freedom]] during the [[War in Afghanistan (2001–present)|War in Afghanistan]] and the [[War on Terror]]. In 2006 Soldiers went back to Camp Santiago to prepare for the [[Iraq War]] in [[Operation Desert Shield (Gulf War)|Operation Desert Shield]].
Camp Santiago is the primary training area for the [[United States Army]], [[Army National Guard]], [[United States Army Reserve]], [[United States Marine Corps Reserve]] and the [[Air National Guard]] in Puerto Rico. The camp is used for [[Annual training|Annual Field Training Exercises]] (FTX) each summer and for monthly drills throughout the year. Some Army National Guard and Army Reserve units from the Continental United States (CONUS) also come to Camp Santiago for their annual training camp. The only permanent units at Camp Santiago are the 1600th Ordnance Company and the 770th Transportation Company. The [[Army ROTC]] and the [[Air Force ROTC]] hold their semester training exercises at Camp Santiago.


Camp Santiago is open to the general public for the annual Puerto Rico National Guard Family Day held each February.
{{Portal box|United States Army}}


The Puerto Rico Rifle and Pistol Association hold their state championship every year at Camp Santiago, with participants from the military, law enforcement agencies, and civilian organizations. Federal and state law enforcement agencies use Camp Santiago as a support facility for operations in southern Puerto Rico. Military youth groups such as the [[Civil Air Patrol]] and the [[United States Naval Sea Cadet Corps]] conduct Summer Encampment at Camp Santiago.
{{coord missing|Puerto Rico}}


==See also==
⚫
[[Category:Military facilities in Puerto Rico]]
⚫
[[Category:United States Army posts]]


*[[Army National Guard]]
{{US-Army-stub}}
*[[Air National Guard]]
*[[Puerto Rico National Guard]]
*[[Military of Puerto Rico]]

==References==

'''Citations'''
{{reflist|2}}

'''Bibliography'''
*{{cite book| title=Historia y Tradiciones: Guardia Nacional de Puerto Rico - Cinco Centurias... En Guardia.| first=José Angel|last=Norat|publisher=Esmaco Printers|date=March 27, 1987}}

==External links==
*[http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/facility/camp-santiago.htm Camp Santiago at GlobalSecurity.org]
* [http://www.navy-radio.com/commsta/puerto-rico.htm Salinas Receiver Site]

{{Puerto Rico National Guard}}

⚫
[[Category:Installations of the United States Army National Guard]]
⚫
[[Category:Military facilities in Puerto Rico]]
[[Category:Military installations established in 1940]]
[[Category:Salinas, Puerto Rico]]
[[Category:Military installations of the United States in Puerto Rico]]
[[Category:1940 establishments in Puerto Rico]]

Latest revision as of 21:26, 24 December 2024

Camp Santiago Joint Training Center
Part of Puerto Rico National Guard
Salinas, Puerto Rico
Camp Santiago Joint Training Center
Coordinates17°59′25″N 66°17′09″W / 17.9903°N 66.2858°W / 17.9903; -66.2858
TypeMilitary training installation
Site information
Controlled byPuerto Rico National Guard
Site history
Built1940
In use1940 - present
Garrison information
Current
commander		Col. Alvin Aponte
Garrison92nd Maneuver Enhancement Brigade

Camp Santiago Joint Training Center is a military training installation controlled by the Puerto Rico National Guard on 6,500 hectares (16,000 acres) of land located in Salinas, Puerto Rico. This training facility was named posthumously after Medal of Honor recipient and native of Salinas, Puerto Rico, Specialist Four Héctor Santiago-Colón.

History

[edit]
Soldiers of the 65th Infantry chow during a day of training in Salinas, Puerto Rico. August 1941.

Camp Santiago was acquired from the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico in 1940 by the United States Army for training and was originally established as the Salinas Training Area. In 1967, the U.S. Government licensed the camp to the Puerto Rico National Guard. Since that time the camp has grown from a tent city with very few permanent facilities to an installation of more than 300 buildings of approximately 66,489 square metres (715,680 sq ft).

In 1941 the 65th Infantry Regiment 3rd Battalion was the first combat unit to train at this Southern Puerto Rico military camp before being sent to Panama to protect the Panama Canal during World War II.

In 1966 Col. Alberto A. Nido requested the construction of a range, the National Guard Bureau approved the construction at the cost of $10,000. Captain Gabriel I. Peñagarícano was assigned project officer and the U.S. Army Antilles Command caretakers of the camp, provided earth-moving equipment and personnel. In 1974, Campamento Santiago's air strip was renamed after administrative official Manuel Collazo.[1]

In 1975 he camp was renamed as Camp Santiago after Fourth Class Specialist Héctor Santiago Colón from Salinas, Puerto Rico, a posthumous Medal of Honor recipient.[2] The soldier died at the Qtuang Tri Province, South Vietnam on June 28, 1968, while serving for 1st Cavalry Division, 7th Cavalry, Company B, 5th Battalion, and became famous for trying to shield his comrades from a grenade with his own body.[2] The installation used for training of the Puerto Rico National Guard was formally named "Campamento Santiago" pursuant to an order issued by the General Quarters of the United States Army on July 1, 1975.[2] This marked the second instance that a military installation in Puerto Rico was renamed after a local soldier after Campamento García in Vieques was named after Fernando García.[2] Major General Carlos Chardón was actively involved in the process to propose the recognition.[3] The Cal. 45 shooting range at Campanento Santiago was named after Col. Eduardo Andino, a distinguished pistol and rifle shooter that won a U.S. Army National Pistol Championship in 1922.[4]

From 1990 to 1991, military units in Puerto Rico such as the 92nd Maneuver Enhancement Brigade reported to Camp Santiago for initial training in preparation before deployment to Operation Desert Storm in Kuwait. Camp Santiago also had a role in training National Guard and Reserve soldiers in Puerto Rico for Operation Enduring Freedom during the War in Afghanistan (2001–2021). In 2006 more soldiers went back to Camp Santiago to prepare for the Iraq War during Operation Desert Shield.

The U.S. Navy had a radio station receiver site at Camp Santiago.

Camp Santiago also served as an Athletes' Villages for the 1993 Central American and Caribbean Games in Ponce and the 2010 Central American and Caribbean Games in Mayagüez.

Following the events of Hurricane Maria in 2017, Camp Santiago JTC suffered damages, the Puerto Rico National Guard received an injection of $500 million to improve and repair post facilities the due to the force of the hurricane.

Installation

[edit]

Camp Santiago Joint Training Center (CSJTC) is located 82 kilometres (51 mi) south of San Juan, the capital of Puerto Rico. The main gate is located right off Puerto Rico Highway 52 on exit 65, the camp is easily accessible from almost everywhere in Puerto Rico. Though it has no permanent residents, Camp Santiago can house thousands of troops on a temporarily basis. Some old barracks were demolished and replaced with new barracks; Other facilities include the Sustainment Automation Support Management Office (SASMO), a Puerto Rico National Guard Museum, Theater, Dining Facilities, Base Chapel, Fire Station, a pool for recreation and water training exercises, a cyber café (computer classroom/laboratory), Troop Medical Clinic, The Brig Gen. Victor J. Torres Fitness Center, ID Card office, MWR Community Center and AAFES post exchange and gas station on base.

Training facilities at Camp Santiago include Virtual Convoy Operations Trainer (OCOT), Call For Fire Trainer (CFFT), Engage Similation Training (EST2000), Maneuver Area Training Equipment Site (MATES), 2HMMWV Engress Assistance Trainer (HEAT), FOB Compound Area, EID Path Zoo, a new Rappelling Tower, AWTs, Pre-mob Training Area, Multi-Purpose Machine Gun Range and an Urban Assault Range (UAR). Future projects for the Camp Santiago Joint Maneuver Training Center (CSJMTC) includes a land navigation course, a live shooting house, and a military pistol qualification range.

Warriors Plaza was inaugurated on September 11, 2011, to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 9/11 tragedy and honor all the service members of the Puerto Rico National Guard who were mobilized to the New York area to respond to the search and rescue mission.

Current use

[edit]
Puerto Rico Army National Guard soldiers present the colors at the 2012 annual training closing ceremonies at Camp Santiago, PR.

Camp Santiago is the primary training area for the United States Army, Army National Guard, United States Army Reserve, United States Marine Corps Reserve and the Air National Guard in Puerto Rico. The camp is used for Annual Field Training Exercises (FTX) each summer and for monthly drills throughout the year. Some Army National Guard and Army Reserve units from the Continental United States (CONUS) also come to Camp Santiago for their annual training camp. The only permanent units at Camp Santiago are the 1600th Ordnance Company and the 770th Transportation Company. The Army ROTC and the Air Force ROTC hold their semester training exercises at Camp Santiago.

Camp Santiago is open to the general public for the annual Puerto Rico National Guard Family Day held each February.

The Puerto Rico Rifle and Pistol Association hold their state championship every year at Camp Santiago, with participants from the military, law enforcement agencies, and civilian organizations. Federal and state law enforcement agencies use Camp Santiago as a support facility for operations in southern Puerto Rico. Military youth groups such as the Civil Air Patrol and the United States Naval Sea Cadet Corps conduct Summer Encampment at Camp Santiago.

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]

Citations

  1. ^ Norat 1987, pp. 429
  2. ^ a b c d Norat 1987, pp. 415
  3. ^ Norat 1987, pp. 416
  4. ^ Norat 1987, pp. 364

Bibliography

  • Norat, José Angel (March 27, 1987). Historia y Tradiciones: Guardia Nacional de Puerto Rico - Cinco Centurias... En Guardia. Esmaco Printers.
[edit]
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