Ft. Irwin High Desert Warrior, December 2020

Volume 16, Number 12 Published in the interest of the National Training Center and Fort Irwin community • home.army.mil/Irwin December 2020
NTC Commander’s update on General Order,
mental health and re-opening schools By Janell J. Lewis Ford
Inside
Bark Park
The newly-renovated Dog Park is due to reopen this month.
See full story, Page 3 Brevet Promotions Return
Three NTC Soldiers put on higher rank as apart of Army’s historic program
See full story, Page 4 Military Working Dogs
Fort Irwin K-9 police teams hit huge milestone.
See full story, Page 5 Extra holiday funds
Tips the legal office has to help save
money this season.
See full story, Page 5
NTC/Fort Irwin Garrison Public Affairs
FORT IRWIN, Calif. — As San Bernardino County hits 90,000 cases and more than 1,100 deaths, on Nov. 12 the National Training Center’s Commanding General, Brig. Gen. David Lesperance stressed vigilance as soldiers, families and employees may travel over the holiday and Opportunity Leave season.
“Now is definitely not the time to become complacent,” Lesperance said.
He reminded the community that San Diego, Nevada and Arizona have seen an increase in coronavirus cases and Nellis Air Force Base in Las Vegas went from a health protection status of
In California, counties are assigned color-coded
risk levels, based on case and positivity rates— widespread, substantial, moderate and minimal— and San Bernardino county remains in the most restrictive purple tier. (Source: covid19.ca.gov)
See UPDATE , Page 12 ‘Emotional’ and exciting first day back to school for Silver Valley
Students, teachers, parents and administrators were excited on Nov. 12 for the first day back to school in a hybrid model. All proper safety measures are being enforced. (Source: Silver Valley Unified School District.)
By Janell J. Lewis Ford
NTC/Fort Irwin Garrison Public Affairs
FORT IRWIN, Calif. — On Nov. 12, Silver Valley Unified School District students and teachers returned to their first large-scale, in-person classes since March 2020.
“The kids were excited, our teachers were excited, our classified employees were excited, and our parents and kids were excited,” Jesse Najera, district superintendent said. “It was almost emotional to see the kids on campus.”
On Oct. 28, SVUSD notified teachers and families that a waiver had been approved for TK – 6th grade students to return to in-person instruction in a hybrid model.
“It’s been a long journey for our community, as well as our employees,” Najera said on the first day. “It was an exciting day in Silver Valley.”
Safe gathering for Thanksgiving meal on post
Story and Photos by Casey Slusser
Fort Irwin Public Affairs
FORT IRWIN, Calif. —
The youngest and oldest sol-
diers at the National Training
Center and Fort Irwin joined
the Commanding General,
Brig. Gen. David Lesperance
and Command Sgt. Maj. William Justice during a ceremonial cake cutting before serving a traditional Thanksgiving feast on Nov. 25.
The youngest soldier was Josie Forhand and eldest was the post chap- lain, Lt. Col. Daniel Oh.
Before the cake cutting, Lesperance thanked the soldiers, families, civilians and contractors of the NTC.
See THANKSGIVING, Page 2
See FIRST DAY , Page 3 ESPN’s “Salute to Service Week” highlights NTC/Fort Irwin
By Jason Miller
Fort Irwin/NTC PAO
FORT IRWIN, Calif. —
The ESPN morning show,
“First Take,” highlighted U.S. Army Soldiers from the Na- tional Training Center during a special Veteran’s Day broad- cast on Nov. 11.
See ESPN, Page 7
ALWAYS FREE ACCESS!
Frequent Updates – Breaking News – Local • Regional • National