Sense Of Normalcy In Bastrop Despite Start Of Jade Helm 15 Training

Follow CBSDFW.COM: Facebook | Twitter

BASTROP (CBSDFW.COM) - A small part of Jade Helm 15, the military's largest training exercise, is taking place at the Texas National Guard's Camp Swift, eight miles outside of the central Texas town of Bastrop.

The exercise is not only in Texas, but in six other southwestern states and involves 1200 service members.

At Camp Swift, we didn't see any activity, but we did hear weapons training.

Greg Jones has lived in town for 30 years. "We don't hate the military, we love our country."
Jones says he was among the concerned residents who filled a commissioners court meeting here this past April.

In response to concerns at the time, Governor Greg Abbott ordered the Texas State Guard to monitor the military training exercise.

Some people worried the government would declare martial law or confiscate residents' guns.
Jones says the government wasn't as open about its plans as it should have been. "That made shall I say my rural fellow hillbillies a little bit uncomfortable not to be told it was a done deal."

On Wednesday, small group of concerned citizens called Counter Jade Helm, came to Bastrop to keep an eye out for military activity.

They have said they're still uneasy because of the government's lack of transparency about the exercise.

But on Main Street in downtown Bastrop, it was business as usual.

Bastrop's mayor, Ken Kesselus, says residents understand what's happening. "If there were any local people stirred up, I think they've gotten calmed down about it. I don't know of any locals upset."

Kesselus says he wants people to know residents in his town have always loved the military. "Texas is full of military bases. We're proud of the military, we're supportive. When we see members of the national guard in town no one asks what are they doing here? You go up and say thanks for your service. That's who and what we are."

Follow Jack on Twitter: @cbs11jack

(©2015 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)