Greenlief National Guard training site unveils $18 million in new renovations, upgrades

HASTINGS, Neb. – 10 years of ongoing renovations are now officially complete at the Nebraska National Guard's primary training facility. 

Since 1966, members of the Nebraska National Guard, and countless other law enforcement organizations have weathered the grounds of Greenlief to hone their combat and procedural skills year in, and year out.

$18 million dollars went into the building and renovating of 16 unique projects on the training site to better serve the service men and women that may call Greenlief their second home.

Finished projects include multiple barracks to house soldiers and airmen, a maintenance and repair facility, an administrative and tactical operations building, a physical training center, and upgrades to multiple ranges.

According to Nebraska National Guard officials, the range upgrades are especially critical as the Army continues to field new weapons and equipment that require significant changes to the Greenlief Training Site’s weapons training areas.

District 33 Senator Dan Lonowski was a former Nebraska National Guard member, and spoke at the ribbon cutting event.

He says he’s glad the men and women spending time here will be a little bit more comfortable than he was back in his service days.

"We literally were sleeping in sleeping bags back in the day, and sleeping on the ground, sleeping on our tank fender," said Lonowski. "Now they have barracks for soldiers, they have officer's quarters, they have a mess hall. It's just amazing and it's really beneficial to Nebraska National Guard soldiers."

Several pairs of scissors signified the completion of these upgrades, along with the firing of a Howitzer.

"This is a great investment that took time over years, and it's a great investment for the men and women here so that they are trained up for any kind of call," said Gov. Pillen. "It's a great investment so that young people can come here and say 'Look how I can be trained, look at the extraordinary organization I can be a part of.'"

Nebraska National Guard Major General Craig Strong, who is also the state adjutant general, oversees much of the Army and Air National Guard, and he also trained at Greenlief in his early days with the Guard. 

He’s seen these new facilities come to fruition, which are expected to increase recruitment, and offer a better experience for soldiers there.

"This has metamorphed the size over time, turning into a premier location with various ranges from urban warfare ranges, to fire fighting ranges, to marksmanship ranges, grenade throwing," said Strong. "But also, we have the facilities to support a large number of soldiers, marines, sailors, airmen, to spend a night or a few weeks here at what we like to call Fort Nebraska."

While these renovations to barracks, exercise buildings, and several ranges are complete, National Guard officials tell us improvements at Greenlief will remain ongoing to better serve the men and women who serve Nebraska.