Photo By Brad Staggs | Sen. Tom Wyss (R-District 15, second from right) tours Muscatatuck Urban Training...... read more read more
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BUTLERVILLE, Ind. — Sen. Tom Wyss (R-District 15) had been trying to explain to his fellow senators from other states what Muscatatuck Urban Training Center in Southern Indiana was all about but failed to give them the full scope of the project.
"When I'd sit at task force meetings, I'd always explain what we were doing at [Camp] Atterbury and they understood about mobilization and demobilization," Wyss explained. "But I could never really get across to them what Muscatatuck was. I explained it, but until they saw it today, they're fascinated. They just can't believe what this is already after this few short years that it's been in existence."
Wyss was in Indianapolis co-chairing the National Conference of State Legislatures Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness Task Force when the thought struck him that while he had senators from other states in Indiana, he would bring them to Muscatatuck in order to show them exactly what the military facility was doing.
On Sept. 26, Wyss brought state representatives from Nevada, Connecticut, Idaho, Minnesota, Florida, Texas, and Michigan to MUTC to give them a first-hand look at what he had been talking about.
The Senators were briefed on the past, present and future operations of the facility by the Indiana State Adjutant General, Maj. Gen. R. Martin Umbarger, and Brig. Gen. Clif Tooley, the Assistant Adjutant General and commander of the Camp Atterbury-Muscatatuck Center for Complex Operations which overseas activity at the two southern Indiana military facilities.
Following lunch at the military cafeteria, the group toured Muscatatuck, and observed military and civilian first responders training in an urban terrain. For most, it was a first look at the Army's latest urban training facility. For Wyss, it was a return.
"It's been two years since I've been here and all I can say is 'Wow' is an understatement," Wyss exclaimed. "It's fantastic, it really is. I saw what we had, I saw the potential, but even today it fascinates me with what it's accomplished so far."
MUTC began its military life as a mental facility being shut down by the state of Indiana. Many buildings on the site had been deemed of historical value since they were built between 1935 and 1950 during the aftermath of the Great Depression and World War II. The state was prepared to spend up to $35 million to tear the buildings down and create a tree farm out of the land.
If that plan had gone forward, not only would the military facility not be available for training, but jobs would have been lost to the local area residents as well. Wyss remembers when he first heard of the project from John Hall, the mayor of North Vernon, Ind., at the time.
"I went to Japan on a trade mission with the North Vernon mayor and he was so excited about what the potential was. But I don't think even his vision at that time could conceive what it would become or what the potential still is today."
The Indiana National Guard saw an opportunity to create the best urban training venue in the Army inventory, one that would attract users from all branches of the military and every state and country. The plan has worked as military personnel have trained at MUTC from as far away as Slovakia and first responders regularly use the facility to conduct urban training operations.
"I didn't know what to expect," said Connecticut State Representative Stephen D. Dargan (D- District 115). "But this is amazing. It's good to know that our military has the chance to train in this atmosphere."
By the time the senators left Muscatatuck, they were well aware of what the facility brings to the country's defensive capability. For Wyss, a former Air Force officer who retired after over 30 years in uniform with the Indiana National Guard, MUTC is a shining moment for the Guard.
"The things that I've seen the Indiana National Guard, both Air and Army, do over these last several years that we've been deployed," Wyss mused. "I told the general that I've never been prouder to have worn the uniform of an Indiana National Guardsman."
| Date Taken: | 10.06.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 10.06.2009 15:07 |
| Story ID: | 39748 |
| Location: | BUTLERVILLE, US |
| Web Views: | 239 |
| Downloads: | 214 |
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