JPG - History

Jefferson Proving Ground (JPG), a 55,265 acre facility was established December 1940, fired its first round 5 months later, and operated until 1995. JPG's primary mission was to perform production and post-production tests of conventional ammunition components and other ordnance items and conduct tests of propellant ammunition/weapons systems and components for the U.S. Army.

1941 - Began operations.
1944 - 100,000^th round fired.
1953 - Peak staffing (1,774 employees) and 24 hour continuous testing during the Korean Conflict.
1960's - Peak of testing activity during the Vietnam War.
1989 - Congress identified JPG for closure (421 employees).
1991 - Peak of testing activity during the Persian Gulf War.
1993 - Jefferson Proving Ground Redevelopment Board (JPG RDB) formed.
1994 - Restoration Advisory Board (RAB) formed. Munitions testing ceased.
1995 - Local Redevelopment Authority (LRA) formed. JPG closed.
1996 - Property disposal process began: environmental site assessments and cleanup, unexploded ordnance (UXO) removal actions, and property lease/transfer.
1997 - Memorandum of Agreement established between The Army Test and Evaluation Command (TECOM) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for "ecosystem-based" management of 51,000 acres in the northern part of the base.
1998 - Memoranda of Understanding established between the U.S. Department of Army and the Indiana Air National Guard. In exchange for continued use of the Jefferson Range air-to-ground training area, the Air National Guard will provide assistance to the Army in the operations and maintenance of the 51,000-acre impact area.
2000 - Big Oaks National Wildlife Refuge created as an overlay refuge.