MUTC has ribbon cutting ceremony
Mary Margaret Moorhead - Staff Writer

Sunny skies and low humidity greeted the several hundred guests at the ribbon cutting ceremonies for the Muscatatuck Urban Training Center (MUTC) on Friday, July 29.

With many elected officials and dignitaries from the Indiana Army and Air National Guard in attendance, the lawn area in front of the Muscatatuck Administration Building was filled with several sections of chairs and bleachers.

An army band played patriotic selections prior to the formal program, and CPT Lisa Kopcznski sang The National Anthem.

Guest speakers included Adjutant General Martin Umbarger, Lieutenant Governor Becky Skillman, North Vernon Mayor John Hall, Vernon Mayor Daniel Wright, State Senator Johnny Nugent, and State Representative William E. Bright.

Mr. Eric Dietz, executive director of the Indiana Department of Homeland Security, spoke briefly as did Mr. Frank Thompson, legislative assistant for Congressman Mike Sodrel.

Each of the speakers lauded the choice of Muscatatuck as an urban training center, noting that MUTC will offer excellent training opportunities to civilian and military organizations. Each of the mayors also spoke of the economic benefits to Jennings County as well as surrounding areas.

"It will be a place where both civilian and military organizations can set the standards, improve the skills, and test the systems and concepts to defend the homeland and conduct urban combat training exercises," said the officials.

"We need more urban training," said General Umbarger. "This will be a wonderful training event for combat and protection - protection of the homeland. It has been a wonderful facility - a cathedral - and it will be a cathedral for young men and women in training."

Eluding to the closing of Muscatatuck as a mental health facility, Senator Nugent spoke of his attempts to stall that procedure and to keep Muscatatuck in operation. "The establishment of the Muscatatuck Urban Training Center answers prayers for this facility. It will provide jobs and opportunities."

Lieutenant Governor Skillman said, "War can be in our own backyard. The Muscatatuck Urban Training Center will be the training facility for modern warfare - an urban setting, a training center that is the epitome of collaboration. Four thousand people per month will come here for training. We'll see other economic developments as well; the opportunities are endless."

Emcee for the event was Colonel Mark Coers. The invocation and benediction were given by Chaplain (Col.) Bryan Hult.

Following the ceremonial cutting of the ribbon by the general and
the lieutenant governor, guests could tour the facility and enjoy the reception.

In addition to the Indiana National Guard and other branches of the Armed Forces, the facility will be used for training of law enforcement, fire fighters, emergency medical personnel, the Indiana Department of Homeland Security, FEMA, State Department of Health, FBI, Civil Air Patrol, civil support teams, state counter-terrorism agencies, and public safety training institutes.

MUTC is a small town with 70 buildings on 1,000 acres. Furnished infrastructure includes a water treatment plant, power house, 180 acre reservoir and an underground utility tunnel system that connects 90% of the buildings on the installation.

MARY MARGARET MOORHEAD PHOTO

Adjutant General Martin Umbarger of the Indiana Army and Air National Guard and Indiana's Lieutenant Becky Skillman preside at the official ribbon cutting ceremonies for the Muscatatuck Urban Training Center on Friday, July 29, at the administration building. Among the guests were elected officials, National Guard members and officers, and nine speakers. The hour-long program began at 2:00 p.m. and was followed by a reception and tours.