POSTED: Tuesday, August 17, 2010 --- 8:15 p.m.

Only a few miles away from Madison is a one of a kind military training facility used regularly by the Madison based 115th Fighter Wing.

Volk Field is opening their gates to the public this weekend but allowed us behind the fences for an early sneak peak

From interstate 90/94 all drivers catch is a few fleeting glimpses of some of the perimeter buildings at Volk Field but inside the gates is a rare treasure that calls Wisconsin home.

Airfield Manager CMSgt Greg Cullen says, "I have real good friends who have no idea what we do here at Volk Field."

With military the mystery is part of the appeal but they're pulling back the curtain for us and you.

Cullen says, "The civilian population are the taxpayers and they need to know their money is going to good use."

You name the technology and they probably have it at Volk Field.

One of only four combat readiness training centers in the country they're designed to have an entire unit bus or fly in, set up shop and train like they just arrived in an overseas war environment.

The air base holds a brand new control tower and 9-thousand foot runway

Cullen says, "We can handle just about any aircraft in the Air Force inventory."

What makes Volk Field one of a kind is the services they also offer civilian first responders.

While we were there the Eau Claire County Swat Team was using the high risk entry facility. It allows just about any training scenario law enforcement can come up with.

Add to that what they have for urban rescue training like building or bridge collapses and the fire training area and they can simulate just about any real world disaster.

But maybe the best part of the whole base for military families is the massive hanger used when units return from deployment, the site of so many happy reunions and welcome home gatherings.

Volk Field features a lot more than the limited view from the interstate. It's a high tech training facility not only for the military but for civilians.

Volk Field will host an open house for the public this Saturday from 8 to 4.

There is an air show planned free of charge.