INDIANAPOLIS - The Indiana National Guard and two of its advanced training centers hosted a special guest Friday.
Secretary of the Army Dr. Mark T. Esper visited Hoosier Guard members at Camp Atterbury and Muscatatuck Urban Training Center to see firsthand the innovative urban and cyber training complex.
"I was very impressed by what I saw, not just with cyber but will all the capabilities and challenges presented here at this training range and what it could mean for a wide range of Army forces," said Esper.
The research, development and innovation support from Muscatatuck and Atterbury support the Army's effort to accelerate modernization and provide the total force a unique training capability.
"It was an honor to host Secretary Esper during his recent visit to Indiana," said Maj. Gen. Courtney P. Carr, Indiana National Guard adjutant general. "The readiness of our Indiana Soldiers, and our tremendous training and testing facilities, are indicative of the National Guard being a full partner in the Army total force."
As the most realistic cyber training environment in the Department of Defense for multi-division level training, many elite cyber units come to Indiana from around the world test their skills at the complex.
Muscatatuck features myriad venues and capabilities that enhance the Army vision for the future including the newly formed Cyber Academy, Cybertropolis, 1.5 miles of subterranean tunnels and caves and an urban complex.
"There will always be that need to have heavy armored forces and infantry Soldiers to do what they need to do, but now that we are fighting in multi-domain operations we need to have the ability to fight by air, ground, sea, space and cyberspace," said Esper.