Fort Irwin High Desert Warrior, August 2020

Volume 16, Number 8 Published in the interest of the National Training Center and Fort Irwin community • home.army.mil/Irwin
National Training Center resumes readiness training, COVID-19 mitigation continues
August 2020
Inside
Giving Life to Crosses
Brightening up the markers along the road
that represent lost lives
See full story, Page 2 Singing Praises
Music ministry team still performs amid pandemic
See full story, Page 4 Flying flags
DoD provides guidance on flag displays
See full story, Page 6 Summer Hires
Job opportunities return for students on
post
See full story, Page 8
Story and photo by Casey Slusser
Fort Irwin USAG PAO
FORT IRWIN, Calif. — The 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 34th Infantry Divi- sion, U.S. Army Minnesota Army National Guard became the first rotational training unit at the National Training Center (NTC) since the brief pause in training last March due to the global COVID-19 pandemic.
As the NTC continues to train the force while implementing safeguards and pro- tections to mitigate a potential spread of COVID-19, Brig. Gen. David Lesperance, Commander of the National Training Center, said the conditions-based measures that have been established against the virus are proving to be successful and enable the NTC to resume rotational training.
“COVID mitigations are in place and are proving to be effective. The Army’s top prior- ity is readiness and Soldiers must still train for possible deployment to combat areas,” said Lesperance during a recent visit with Gen. James McConville, Chief of Staff of the
Silver Valley Schools return to virtual classrooms
By Janell J. Lewis Ford
NTC/Fort Irwin Garrison Public Affairs
FORT IRWIN, Calif. — The Silver Val- ley Unified School District, along with Fort Irwin’s Garrison Command Team hosted several, live briefings with the community to help prepare parents and students for the upcoming school year, which will began in an online environment.
See VIRTUAL, Page 6
Army, “We remain committed to the safety and wellbeing of our soldiers, while we ready our force for future deployments.”
During this rotation, the mitigation mea- sures against the virus with 1/34 ABCT started at their home station as Soldiers were put through coronavirus mitigation protocols be- fore arriving at the NTC, to include COVID testing, daily screenings, wearing protective equipment and physical distancing.
According to McConville, the U.S. Army Minnesota National Guard has faced many challenges recently, which will better prepare them for future operations. “COVID has really created the fog and friction we often see in combat and it’s real,” said McConville “Taking a brigade that’s been at ground zero for COVID-19 and bringing them out here, puts them in a position to learn and prove their readiness for future combat.”
The U.S. Army Minnesota National Guard were engaged with civil unrest operations at ground zero and were packed and ready to come to the NTC, according to Col. Michael
Chief of Staff of the Army James C. McConville and the National Training Center commanding General, Brig. Gen. David Lesperance, overlook the 1/34 ABCT as they participate in the first Decisive Action Rotation since March.
Simmering, Commander of Operations Group. However, the 1/34 ABCT had to un- load some of their equipment to support civil unrest operations, only then to reload again and deploy to the National Training Center.
“What these guys went through, how they
See TRAINING, Page 3 Change of Responsibility:
Lowe to Justice
Story and photos by Casey Slusser
Fort Irwin USAG PAO
FORT IRWIN, Calif. — Leaders performed a Relinquishment of Responsibilities Ceremony at the Army Field on July 14, 2020.
Command Sgt. Maj. Matthew Lowe re- linquished responsibilities to Command Sgt. Maj. William Justice in a physical distancing outdoors ceremony that was streamed live on the NTC Fort Irwin official Facebook page
See CHANGE, Page 6
Tighter safety restrictions return to NTC Fort Irwin amid COVID-19
By Janell J. Lewis Ford
NTC/Garrison Public Affairs
FORT IRWIN, Calif. — An increase in cases, along with the National Training Center returning to rotational training has resulted in re-instituting the curfew, limiting travel to the local area and for only essential services/activities, and restricting visitors in homes—measures to protect the community and ensure units can continue to the mission.
See RESTRICTIONS, Page 7
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