Riding ATVs Or Hiking At Joint Base Ranges? You Risk Death, Arrest, Officials Warn

JOINT BASE McGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, NJ — If you've been hiking or riding ATVs on the training ranges at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, base officials have a warning for you: Keep out.

Base officials published a warning to the public on the base's Facebook page, saying they are seeing an increase in people going into the training ranges, which are restricted access areas.

"On a weekly basis, soldiers and airmen conducting military training, and range workers maintaining our training areas encounter individuals illegally entering these areas by all modes of transportation — ATV, bicycle, motorcycle, personal vehicle and walking," said Derek Van Horn, chief of media relations for the base.

"It is our belief that the majority of the trespassing and illegal activity is purposeful as we have signs posted around the ranges and training areas identifying the land as a military training area, which include warnings for people to keep out," Van Horn said.

Van Horn said the base has been a military training area since 1917, and over the past century, millions of rounds of ammunition have been fired into the downrange area. Because they are using live ammunition and ordnance, there is a great risk of people encountering shells that have not exploded — which can cause serious injuries or kill people when they do explode.

Among the ordnance used regularly are 155mm artillery shells, 120mm mortar shells, anti-armor rockets and grenades, the base said.

"Additionally, live weapons fire is a daily activity in the range and training areas," Van Horn said. "Many of these weapons fire bullets, mortar, and artillery shells over great distances and individuals illegally entering the training area could be killed or severely injured without knowing firing is taking place."

People who have gone onto the base to shoot firearms have been arrested for having unauthorized weapons on the base, which endanger base personnel, base officials said.

There have been instances of illegal dumping and vandalism as well, which base personnel then have to clean up.

"They are cleaning up YOUR MESS," officials said. "The time lost consumes fiscal resources and degrades our service members' ability to complete their training requirements and defend our nation."

Even on-duty military must have official reasons to enter the range complex, officials said, "otherwise you are trespassing."

"Trespassing, unauthorized weapons fire, dumping and vandalism on JBMDL training complexes is not only a federal crime but is potentially fatal," officials said. "Trespassers endanger their own life, health and safety. The JBMDL military ranges and training complex are not safe places for civilians to play, ride ATVs or hike."