Military

Marseilles Training Area (MTA)

The Marseilles Training Area (MTA) is located in LaSalle County, Illinois. Seven of Illinois' eight metropolitan areas, representing over three-fourths of the State's population, are within 80 miles of LaSalle County. The mission of MTA is to provide a training site for combat, combat support of combat service support units through battalion size. The presence of the armory, which is now home to Battery A, 2nd Battalion, 202 Air Defense Artillery, on the site allows assigned Illinois Army National Guard (IL-ARNG) units to conduct Individual Duty Training (IDT) at MTA. The Marseilles Training Area is classified as a major training area.

Acquisition and development of the MTA (2551 acres) was a direct result of compatible needs of the State of Illinois Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the Department of Military Affairs of Illinois (DMAIL). This site was selected and agreed upon in 1972, property acquisition began shortly thereafter and was completed in 1980. In addition to the 2551 acres, MTA leases about 275 acres from Commonwealth Edison along the eastern boundary.

MTA is shared with DNR as provided for in a letter of understanding. The military has jurisdiction from March to October and DNR has jurisdiction from November through February for their hunting program.

MTA is also home the Unit Training Equipment Site (UTES). There are presently nine full time technicians at the UTES. The range complex consists of five ranges. An enhanced RETS, M60 - 10 meter range, M203, 15-lane combat pistol, and 55-lane 25 meter range used for M16 zeroing and night firing. In addition to the military training, a variety of police agencies use the range. These agencies include FBI, BATF, DNR, ISP, along with local and county police.

MTA full-time employees include five building and ground maintenance personnel, five security guards, supply and ammunition sergeant. The facility manager provides administrative supervision to the two federal technicians and the state employees. He is responsible for coordinating all elements of training and other activities during the year. He assists in the development of construction requirements, plans for procurement of federal and state property, and coordinates with various organizational headquarters on matters pertaining to supply, maintenance and supported activities.