The Urban Warfare Center (2002–2012)

Mission: Preparing Warriors for the Fight

Founded, sponsored, and personally funded by David Burnell, the Urban Warfare Center (UWC) operated from 2002 to 2012 with a clear mission: to prepare military, law enforcement, and federal personnel for the harsh realities of modern conflict through realistic, stress-induced training, provided entirely free of charge.

After 9/11, David saw the urgent need for warriors to train under conditions mirrored real-world operations’ chaos and uncertainty. The UWC was created to save lives by bridging the gap between classroom theory and the realities of the battlefield, ensuring those who serve were equipped with the mindset, skills, and confidence to survive and succeed under pressure.

Methods: Stress Inoculation and Realistic Scenarios

At the core of the UWC was stress inoculation training, placing trainees in high-pressure, rapidly evolving scenarios to test decision-making, communication, and tactical skills. Using non-lethal force-on-force systems, live role players, and scenario-based evolutions, David and his cadre recreated environments that challenged even the most seasoned warriors.

Key training methods included:

• Close-quarters battle (CQB) and room clearing under stress

• Defensive handgun and rifle tactics in urban environments

• Hostage rescue, barricaded suspect, and building clearing

• Combat stress management and psychological resilience

• Mission-specific scenario development

• After-action reviews to identify strengths and improvement areas

Every evolution emphasized performing under pressure, sharpening critical skills needed to win and survive in chaotic environments.

Facility: Purpose-Built Realism

The UWC operated in a facility specifically designed to simulate the complexities of urban conflict, including:

• Modular shoot houses for CQB and tactical movement

• Simulated urban streets, stairwells, and confined spaces

• Vehicle interdiction and convoy ambush training areas

• Prop-based hostage rescue and extraction drills

• Observation rooms for live monitoring and feedback

This facility enabled realistic, safe training that prepared warriors for the environments they would face in combat and tactical operations.

Who Trained at the UWC

The Urban Warfare Center proudly provided this training as a free service to:

• Military units preparing for deployment, including the U.S. Army, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Special Operations forces

• Federal agencies and high-risk warrant teams

• Law enforcement SWAT and tactical units

• Security contractors preparing for overseas missions

• Select civilian defenders in defensive tactics and active shooter response

Hundreds of warriors and first responders trained at the UWC, gaining lifesaving skills that senior leaders credited with reducing casualties and increasing mission success.

A Legacy of Service

The Urban Warfare Center stood as a testament to David Burnell’s commitment to those who serve. It ensured they could train realistically and effectively without the barrier of cost. For a decade, warriors, officers, and agents found in the UWC a place to prepare for the worst while refining their skills to protect others.

Though the facility has since closed, its impact endures in the lives of those who trained there, the missions they completed, and the lives they protected. The Urban Warfare Center was more than a facility—it was a mission of service, empowering those who stand in the gap so that others can return home safely and be better prepared to protect and serve.