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   WALKER—Colonel Troy Fink, Garrison Commander of Camp Ripley presented the 2024 Camp Ripley annual update on the Army National Guard facility’s activities to Cass County commissioners Tuesday, April 1.

   In 2024 Camp Ripley had a total of $82,964,848 expenditures for the year, with payroll expenses being $55,049,879 and employing 800 - 1,000 state and federal employees. Construction costs were consistent with 2023 amounts with $21,200,000 being spent both years.  

   Fink stated Camp Ripley was the third busiest National Guard training center in the county and hosted 558,056 Department of Defense (DoD) soldiers and airmen and 71,393 local/state interagency partners, compared to 400,839 DoD and 78,511 local/state interagency partners. Camp Ripley also hosted multiple joint training events with the Air Force, Navy, Marines and Coast Guard; hosted DNR and State Patrol Academies and celebrated the 52nd anniversary of NOREX (Norwegian Reciprocal Troop Exchange). Another accomplishment Fink shared with the board was the establishment of three daycare providers on campus assisting employees in finding convenient and local daycare. 

   Fink also shared an update to the new Minnesota Military and Veterans Museum. The Minnesota Legislature approved $32.7 million to build a new Minnesota Military and Veterans Museum, and is currently under construction. The museum will be located between Veterans Cemetery and State Highway 371 and will be have easier access for all citizens and is anticipated to be complete by July 2026. 

   Fink informed the board on upcoming events and trainings for 2025, with the heaviest military training running April through June with 11,800 -14,400 individuals on site. July through October will be normal training stated Fink. Other events include hosting various units from surrounding states; a youth camp; youth archery, public archery and muzzle loader hunts and other various state trainings. 

   Camp Ripley will host an open house September 14, 2025, which is open to the public where they will be able to tour the facility and enjoy the “Sounds of Freedom.” Some of the camps other community outreach programs include: field tours, participates in area festivals, has an outreach program to Tribal communities, offers game hunts for disabled veterans, offers a Trolling for the Troops fishing event, and celebrates with special programs National Public Lands Day, Earth Day, Memorial Day and Veterans Day.

   In 2024, the camp collected 324 pounds of food and hosted blood drives which lead to the collection of 4,944 units.

   Fink also mentioned each year Camp Ripley conducts a prescribed burn to reduce the rise of unplanned fires and create a safe training environment for soldiers. They plan on performing this burn on approximately 14,690 acres between the months of March through June.

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