Ft. Irwin High Desert Warrior, November 2021

Volume 17, Number 11 Published in the interest of the National Training Center and Fort Irwin community • home.army.mil/Irwin November 2021
Shaping tomorrows Army, quality of family life, people first, focus of AUSA 2021
By Casey Slusser
Fort Irwin Public Affairs
WASHINGTON, D.C. —The Association of the United States Army (AUSA) kicked off its annual 2021 convention, “America’s Army and its People, Transforming for the Future”, with a moving opening ceremony which in- cluded statements by the Secretary of the Army, Christine Wormuth.
The conference, which was held at the Marriott Marquis Convention Center in Washington, D.C., hosted over 15,000 Sol- diers, Department of the Army Civilians, and Contractors. With over 75 symposiums and forums on site, the U.S. Army reflected on its past and its future.
“Every leader has to ensure a command climate in which we take care of Soldiers as
if they were members of our own family,” Wormuth said.
Wormuth thanked and acknowledged her pride for all the Army medical professionals for the work they did in partnering in Operation Warp Speed. A public–private partnership initiated by the United States government, Op- eration Warp Speed, facilitated and accelerated the research and development, of COVID-19 vaccines, over the past 18 months.
“Every year is a busy year for our Army but this year was extraordinary, the Army hasn’t just been maintaining readiness and operating in over 140 countries, it’s also been crucial in help- ing our country fight the deadliest pandemic in American history— And assisting in facilitating the production of a safe and healthy vaccine”
See AUSA, Page 6 Soldiers overcome all hazards during
MEDCoE Commanding General and Project Warrior Manager visit Fort Irwin
combat rotation at National Training Center
By Walter Ham
FORT IRWIN, California — Soldiers from the 2nd Chemical Battalion “Red Dragons” and the “Ready First” 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, overcame all hazards during a large scale combat operations exercise at the National Training Center, Sept. 15-28.
The Fort Hood, Texas-based battalion and Fort Bliss, Texas-based brigade participated in Decisive Action Rotation 21-10 at the nation’s premier ground combat training center.
Across California’s Mojave Desert, U.S. Army combat units hone their skills against opposition forces from the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment during the decisive action rotations designed to keep them ready for any contingency or conflict.
As the U.S. Army transitions from decades of counterinsurgency operations, training rotations are focused on preparing maneuver units for large scale combat operations against an enemy that could use chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear weapons.
The 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team is part of the 1st Armored Division, also known as “Old Ironsides.” The 2nd Chemical Battalion is part of the Fort Hood, Texas-based 48th Chemical Brigade and 20th Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear (CBRNE) Command.
By Jose E. Rodriguez
U.S. Army Medical Center of Excellence
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas — Maj. Gen. Dennis P. LeMaster, Commander U.S. Army Medical Center of Excellence, or MEDCoE, visited units during a rotation at the National Training Center, or NTC, and Weed Army Community Hospital at Fort Irwin, California.
“We visited the National Training Center, which is the world’s premiere training opportu- nity, to observe the Army Health System at the
Brigade Combat Team Level,” said LeMaster. “I was very impressed with the operations group staff, the observer controller/trainers, and the realistic training they provide to the operating force.”
While at the NTC, LeMaster, who is also the 19th Chief of the Medical Service Corps, conducted an aerial terrain tour with Brig. Gen. Curtis Taylor, Commanding General of Fort Irwin and the NTC. LeMaster also received an NTC Surgeon and Rotational over- view brief from the staff, conducted medical key leader engagements and observed Medical
See HAZARDS, Page 3
See MED, Page 4