Page 18 - Armed Forces Directory - Aberdeen Proving Ground

Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD

Michael R. Conaty, U.S. Army APG Garrison Commander Col. Philip J. Mundweil,
and APG Garrison Command Sgt. Maj. Paul Denson.

Here at APG
APG is one of the Army’s oldest installations; established in 1917 as an answer
to the nation’s need for defense after Germany launched their first gas attack on
April 22, 1915. What began as a site for testing war munitions transformed into
something greater: a research, development, testing, and evaluation facility for
military weapons and equipment.

While the Army operates 14 major installations in the Chesapeake Bay watershed,
APG is one of three that actively use the Bay and its tributaries for training and
testing in water settings. Due to APG’s proximity to the Bay and several of its
major tributaries, the installation has a unique responsibility to protect the health
of the waterways and ecosystems.

APG boasts more than 40,000 acres of forested lands, serving as one of the Army’s
most diverse active installations in the nation. Protected lands at Aberdeen Proving
Ground have limited development, advanced the protection of endangered
species such as the bald eagle and northern long-eared bat, as well as supported
the Army mission and Chesapeake Bay restoration goals.

“[More than] 17.5 million people live in the Chesapeake Bay watershed and APG
is an important part of that,” Miranda stated. “In addition to APG’s thousands of
acres, we are custodians of over 100 miles of shoreline and have federal jurisdiction
over the Bush and Gunpowder Rivers. APG is also home to the most bald eagle
nests of any [Department of Defense] installation; a distinction of immense pride.”

Conserving land both on its installations and outside their boundaries enables
the Army to sustain its military mission and Bay ecosystems.

APG: at the forefront of readiness

By investing in Army infrastructure, installations are kept modern and able
to support Soldiers and Army families. These investments are focused on
environmental conservation, compliance, and restoration, which maximize the
availability of training and testing land which enables readiness for Soldiers.

APG has had several conservation accomplishments over the last decade in
accordance with the previous Army Chesapeake Bay Strategy:

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