Detroit Chapter Hosts TACOM Open House.

The Detroit Chapter of the National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA) hosted an open house in Warren, Mich., to increase local awareness of the Tank, Automotive and Armaments Command (TACOM). Estimates indicated that 15,000 people attended at least one portion of the two-day event. According to one observer, the event was a success, because it was a "gigantic team effort, with 250 to 300 people from TACOM and NDIA acting as volunteers."

The event, held earlier this summer at the Detroit Arsenal, was kicked off by commanding officer Maj. Gen. (P) John Caldwell. Organizer Gerald R. Lane, immediate past president of the NDIA Detroit Chapter and current Detroit representative to NDIA headquarters, is associate director for Advanced Vehicle Technologies at the Tank Automotive Research Development and Engineering Center. He explained that the program was planned to increase regional understanding of the facility, as well as showcase its proud history.

The TACOM open house was co-sponsored by NDIA, the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) and the Detroit Chamber of Commerce. Detroit's NDIA chapter contributed $13,000 to publicize the event. The event marked the first time in 30 years that TACOM opened its doors to the public, and this was the first time it was marketed at this magnitude.

The open house had numerous attractions and exhibits, Lane explained. Highlights included vehicle rides on Humvees, M113s (Armored Personnel Carriers), and the Marine Corps' Light Armored Vehicles (LAVs).

"We also had a vehicle display of a lot of the latest ground combat vehicles," including all three of the M-1s currently in service: the M1A1 and the M1A2 SEP. "The M1A2 SEP had a constant line of at least 30 people," Lane said. "They could crawl in and see this state-of-the-art tank."

Parachute jumpers performed death-defying maneuvers, and special forces helicopter rescuers executed demonstrations. At one point, the crowd was addressed by an actor who portrayed World War II Gen. George S. Patton Jr. -- Art Pope gave a brief synopsis of Patton's views, mannerisms, and posing as Patton, complimented the work that the employees had done at TACOM during the past 60 years. "Pope then presented the famous speech Patton gave to the III Army troops on May 31, 1944, prior to D-Day, which was meant to inspire untried soldiers about to enter combat for the first time," said TACOM staff historian Randy Talbot. "The speech was edited to be 'G-rated' of course," he added.

Other attractions that "wowed" the crowd included combat bridging, forklifts, and armored security vehicles. There were also "unique demonstrators like the mobile parts hospital," said Lane.

Tours of the Tank Automotive Research and Development Center Laboratory were provided. One tour involved physical, mechanical and dynamic simulations "with visits to propulsion, water and simulation laboratories." Another tour involved the laboratory's electronic capabilities: "You could go through the electronic tour of software, robotics and vision perception laboratories," said Lane.

The open house also presented commemorative displays, ranging from descriptions and photographs of the work TACOM did for the Vietnam War, to fully restored historic military vehicles.

The Army operated a recruiting station at the event, with a rock-climbing wall. The Army Reserves had a forward surgical team on call for any potential emergencies. The Marines and Michigan National Guard also operated booths at the event.

More than 1,000 people took part in the tours, Lane reported. "People stood in line, sometimes over an hour for those vehicle rides," he said.