Courtesy Photo | Nina Shelat tries her hand on an M240 during her visit to Fort Irwin and the National...... read more read more
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By Pam Portland and G. A. Volb
Fort Irwin Public Affairs
Eleven members of a Congressional Staff Delegation visited Fort Irwin and the National Training Center Sept. 22-23 gaining mission insight to include front row seats for force-on-force training of an Army unit out of Fort Bliss, Texas.
Each of the legislative assistants received briefings from senior leadership on major programs and mission focus here at the National Training Center.
Operations Group Commander Col. Jeffery Broadwater emphasized the development of leaders as an essential part of the program. "The National Training Center develops and challenges leaders at every level in an uncertain, time constrained, complex environment. The training prepares leaders to operate with competence and confidence in ambiguous and frequently changing circumstances."
“Incredibly impressive how well coordinated everything has been, to pull in all resources, not just for soldiers in training but it is obvious that the commanders really care about families living here on base. You can see that in everything from water planning to energy efficiency,” said staffer, Lindsay Duvall.
During their stay, the delegation took a trip out to the desert training area to Forward Operating Base Denver to observe force-on-force training.
“I had no idea what we were in for, starting with the helicopter ride into the desert,” said staffer, Yesenia Chavez. “Being in the battlefield, that was insane. It was so realistic and I was frightened to death. I had to thank all the servicemen for what they do, I couldn’t do it.”
“The After Action Report was great,” she continued. “Commanders getting input from everybody, all members equal in the discussion. This place serves a great purpose. No other place has this geography. Coming here makes me want to do another trip to other installations.”
The group also observed a dismounted patrol out at one of the many “towns” constructed in “the box” used to simulate deployed locations.
“Loved it,” said staffer, Jason Frye, in response to his experience of the visit.
“The professionalism of the Soldiers and how customized the training program is for each unit training here is incredible,” said Frye. “The live force-on-force exercise was awesome. The sophistication here is amazing.”
Staffer Wesley Brooks agreed.
”Seeing details come together, to actively see it here, it is obvious our military is the best in the world and what they do, day in, day out, is impressive,” said Brooks.
“The heat was intense and the dust, it was quite an impressive operation here. I had never heard of the National Training Center before,” said staffer, Herbert Yamada.
Members of the staff delegation making the trip to Fort Irwin included: Katelynn Anderson; William Anderson; Matthew Haskins; Nishith Pandya; Nina Shelat; Martha VanLieshout; Lindsay Duvall; Yesenia Chavez; Jason Frye; Herbert Yamada; and Wesley Brooks.
| Date Taken: | 09.23.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 09.24.2014 15:55 |
| Story ID: | 143145 |
| Location: | FORT IRWIN, CALIFORNIA, US |
| Web Views: | 126 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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