Fort A.P. Hill, VA Today’s battlefields are evolving faster than ever. With dual use technologies advancing at breakneck speeds and outpacing traditional countermeasures, our Warfighters require more than just a place to train, they need an environment that adapts as rapidly as the threats they face. To maintain our decisive edge on the battlefield, the military must continuously transform how it trains and fights. U.S. Army Garrison Fort A.P. Hill is leading that charge, aggressively modernizing its capabilities to build the combat ready formations of tomorrow.
On March 20th, MDW Fort A.P. Hill hosted its 2026 Annual Training Conference (ATC), transforming the Regional Training Support Center into a dynamic, "one stop shop" for readiness. The event brought together mission commanders, leaders, and training representatives from across the eastern United States to explore emerging technologies, streamline their training plans, and experience Fort A.P. Hill’s top notch customer service firsthand.
Boasting 76,000 acres of maneuver space, Fort A.P. Hill offers highly customizable training capabilities for units across the Army, the broader Joint Force, and interagency partners. During the conference, garrison experts confidently detailed the installation’s continuous transformation initiatives, highlighting robust modernization efforts across ranges and training areas, advanced UAS and Counter UAS capabilities as well as electronic warfare environments designed to support the full spectrum of modern mission requirements.
Alongside dedicated garrison staff, industry innovators showcased the future of battlefield realism. Highlights included a high impact live fire demonstration on Range 3, where Fort A.P. Hill’s Directorate of Emergency Services (DES) police force engaged Trackless Mobile Infantry Targets (TMITs). Attendees also experienced immersive, haptic-feedback body suits for tactical medical training, augmented and virtual reality simulators for adaptive close quarters battle, and realistic battlefield blast simulators.
Yet, what truly set the 2026 ATC apart was the human element. Specifically, the dedicated breakout sessions. In a truly customer focused environment, mission commanders had the invaluable opportunity to sit down one on one with MDW Fort A.P. Hill’s seasoned professionals. During these focused sessions, unit leaders were able to thoroughly discuss their unique training needs and immediately schedule their 2026-2027 operations on the spot. This streamlined, face to face coordination eliminated weeks of administrative back and forth, directly returning valuable time and energy to the Warfighter so they can focus on their mission.
The impact of this human centric, seamlessly coordinated event was deeply felt by the attending units.
"On behalf of the 450 CA BN (A), I wanted to thank you all for taking the time out of your busy schedules to put together the FY26 FAPH ATC,"said attendee CPT Brayden Snow."It was a great display of your attentiveness and attention to the training and readiness of organizations within your AOR. You all showed in this moment that you care about the Servicemember and the Warfighter, and we all are much appreciative to have such a great place to exercise our people and our equipment."
Through unparalleled inter-directorate teamwork, immediate scheduling capabilities, and a forward-looking partnership with industry leaders, the ATC proved that MDW Fort A.P. Hill is not just keeping pace with modern warfare, it is setting the standard.
A calling message for the 2027 Annual Training Conference will be released at the end of the year. Fort A.P. Hill looks forward to hosting any interested units as we continuously strive to live up to our motto, “The best training and support - Anywhere!”