The Terre Haute Chamber of Commerce Business Blog welcomes guest blogger Judi Evelo. Judi is a Chamber Executive Committee and Board Member and Century 21 real estate agent in Terre Haute.
I am so thankful that the Chamber was invited to the 181st Intelligence Wing facilities on Monday. How impressive was that visit!! Since our visit I have relayed to many the activities that occur at the base. I had no idea, nor had given thought, to the support the 181st Intelligence Wing gives to local, state and national needs, not to mention the role they play in worldwide reconnaissance. Interesting tour of the medical facility and the knowledge that it is served by doctors, surgeons and nurses that can construct a mobile medical facility within 7.5 hours of an emergency call! Interesting to know that once a month 864 air guardsmen and women converge at the Terre Haute base for weekend drill and need the services of hotels, restaurants and other services. That the average pay is $45,000+ per soldier; that the 181st Intelligence Wing supports the Terre Haute community with a budget of $61,000,000+. From the role of civil engineering to reconnaissance of the world all originating at the Terre Haute base was overwhelming! The mock reconnaissance exercise was awakening!!
The entire experience not only makes one proud of our 181st Intelligence Wing, but gives thought to how our community can show support of the group and be thankful for their role in our community. It is certainly an outreach that I had no idea of before our tour. I am pleased Col. Clark and his staff are going to continue to invite community members to experience the base activities.
