Army Base Realignment and Closure

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Jefferson Proving Ground


BRAC Summary: The Commission recommends Jefferson Proving Ground for closure. Its mission of evaluating ammunition produced for the Army can be located at another installation. This move will increase utilization and reduce base-operating costs. The Commission recommends relocating Jefferson Proving Ground activities to Yuma Proving Ground, Arizona.

Property Description: Jefferson Proving Ground (JPG) is located in southeastern Indiana, approximately eight miles north of the Indiana-Kentucky border and about five miles north of Madison, Indiana. The installation occupies parts of Jefferson, Jennings and Ripley Counties. JPG consisted of over 55,000 acres, 17.2 miles long, three miles wide at the southern end and seven miles wide on the northern end. Lands surrounding JPG are predominantly farmland and woodlands, with some small towns and rural residential land use nearby. The facility is divided into a Northern Firing Range Area and a Southern Cantonment Area, separated by a firing line consisting of 268 former gun positions used for testing ordnance until September 1994. This line runs east-west across the width of the facility and is separated from the Cantonment Area by an east-west firing line fence. The Southern Area housed support facilities that were used for administration, ammunition assembly and testing, vehicle maintenance, and residential housing. Until September 1994, this area also was used for ammunition assembly and testing and weapons maintenance. Most of these buildings are situated along a one mile strip just south of the Firing Line Road on Woodfill Road. An abandoned airport with four runways and a hanger building are located in the southwest corner of the facility. 51,024 acres north of the historic firing line became Big Oaks National Wildlife Refuge in 2000. Under an agreement with the U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force, the Service operates the refuge through a 25-year real-estate permit. The Army retains ownership of the land (the closed Jefferson Proving Ground). The Air Force retains use of a bombing range which is not included in the portion designated as a national wildlife refuge. Large safety buffer areas separate the Air Force range from public use areas of the refuge.

Conveyance Summary:
Starting Acres: 4,324.31
Remaining Acres: 0.00
Conveyed Acres: 4,324.31

Last Page Update: July 15, 2026