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Rees Training Center

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About Us

On behalf of the State of Oregon, the Governor, and the Oregon Military Department, welcome to Raymond Rees National Guard Training Center (RTC).

RTC stands on a foundation of distinguished service and transformation. Established in October 1941 as the Umatilla Army Ordnance Depot, the site was instrumental in supporting the U.S. war effort during World War II. At its peak, more than 2,000 civilian personnel—27 percent of them women—were employed to store and distribute munitions. This critical mission continued through Operation Desert Storm in 1991.

In 1962, the facility was re-designated as the Umatilla Army Depot and began the storage of chemical munitions. By 1996, it became known as the Umatilla Chemical Depot, holding 12 percent of the nation's chemical weapons stockpile. Disposal operations commenced in 2004 and concluded successfully in 2011. The depot was officially closed in 2012.

Today, the installation enters a new operational phase as Raymond Rees National Guard Training Center. Honoring its legacy of service, RTC now provides mission-ready training space, lodging, and billeting support for military units across the region. As a vital component of Oregon's military infrastructure, RTC is committed to supporting unit readiness, tactical proficiency, and the development of the modern warfighter.


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Training Capabilities

Raymond Rees National Guard Training Center (RTC) is a mission-ready installation designed to support both individual and collective training for units up to battalion size (approximately 300–800 soldiers). Encompassing roughly 8,000 acres, RTC provides a range of training environments, including weapons firing ranges, limited maneuver space, tracked vehicle driver training areas, and the infrastructure necessary to support both Inactive Duty Training (IDT) and Annual Training (AT) periods.

RTC is also home to the Regional Training Institute (RTI), one of only two infantry training schools located west of the Mississippi River. The RTI is capable of housing and feeding up to 120 soldiers simultaneously. Course offerings vary in duration and focus, ranging from 5-day Tactical Certification Courses to 19-day Advanced Leadership Courses, conducted on a recurring monthly schedule throughout the year.

Outside of scheduled course cycles, RTI facilities are utilized by the Oregon Training Command and Oregon Army National Guard units for IDT and AT missions. Training emphasis includes tactical proficiencies such as weapons qualification, land navigation, and driver training for both wheeled and tracked military vehicles.



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Upcoming Local Events:

Jackalope Jamboree

26-28 June

This three day event is a music festival held within the historic Happy Canyon Arena in Pendleton, Oregon.  The event features over thirty acts on three different stages.

Umatilla Landing Days

28 June

This event is a celebration of the heritage of Umatilla, Oregon, one of the oldest communities in Eastern Oregon.  Family friendly, enjoy great food and kids activities, water fun and bounce houses, craft vendors and entertainment and more.

American Historical Events From the Month of June:





June 6, 1944 - D-Day
D-Day was the largest amphibious landing in history.  It began in the early-morning hours as Allied forces landed in Normandy on the northern coast of France. Operation Overlord took months of planning and involved 1,527,000 soldiers in 47 Allied divisions along with 4,400 ships and landing craft, and 11,000 aircraft. The Germans had about 60 divisions spread along France and the Low Countries. American forces landed on two western beaches, Utah and Omaha, while British and Canadian troops landed farther east on Gold, Juno and Sword beaches. By the end of the day 150,000 Allied soldiers and their accompanying vehicles had landed with 15,000 killed and wounded.
June 14, 1775 - Army
The first U.S. Military service, the Continental Army consisting of six companies of riflemen, was established by the Second Continental Congress. The next day, George Washington was appointed by a unanimous vote to command the Army.
June 19, 1865 - Juneteenth
In Galveston, Texas, upon the arrival of Union troops, Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger read General Order No. 3: "The people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States [President Lincoln] all slaves are free. This involves an absolute equality of personal rights and rights of property between former masters and slaves..." As a result, an estimated 250,000 enslaved African Americans in Texas were finally freed. The day is now celebrated as Juneteenth to commemorate Emancipation and to recognize the struggle for freedom and equality of African Americans.
June 20, 1782 - U.S. Seal
After numerous changes, the Continental Congress officially adopted the Great Seal of the United States of America as the symbol of of our sovereignty as a nation.
June 28, 1776 - Declaration of Independence
The first draft of the Declaration of Independence, drafted by Thomas Jefferson, was submitted to the Continental Congress. The document stated the principles for which the Revolutionary War was being fought.  












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Raymond Rees Training Center

Address:
78798 Ordnance Road
Hermiston, OR 97838-1109

Billeting and Lodging
Monday - Sunday
7:30AM - 4:00 PM

971-355-7868
971-355-7826
971-355-7863

Range Operations:
Monday - Friday
7:00AM - 3:30PM

971-355-7852