Page 1 - Ft. Irwin High Desert Warrior, Dec. 1 2017
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Volume 13, Number 12 Published in the interest of the National Training Center and Fort Irwin community • www.irwin.army.mil December 1, 2017
Ironhorse Brigade Tests its Mettle
at the National Training Center
By Codi Kozacek, Ken Drylie inhospitable landscape, but in future missions.†U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Ernesto Gonzalez
and Maj. Lloyd Bedford also the expert “Donovian†NTC has been the final
Opposing Force (OPFOR) Soldiers with 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division “Ironhorse,†from Fort
NTC / Fort Irwin PAO and a web of rapidly evolving proving ground for Armored Hood, Texas, conduct training during rotation 18-02 at the National Training Center, Fort
FORT IRWIN, Calif. — logistical, technical and ethical Brigade Combat Teams — the Irwin, Calif.
In late November, fierce winds dilemmas — all happening at Army’s most lethal fighting
stir up sand storms across the once across a massive training units — since the 1980s. It
Mojave Desert and obscure area the size of Rhode Island. remains unique among Army
the sharp mountain ridges If that sounds like a worst-case training centers due to a com-
that jut above the horizon. scenario, it’s by design, and it bination of three factors: the
Somewhere in that forbid- tests units in a way no other sheer size and severity of its
ding landscape, the power- training experience can. desert landscape; a dedicated,
ful and cunning Donovian professional OPFOR repre-
forces await. It’s up to the 1st “There is no better place sented by the 11th Armored
Armored Brigade Combat for Ironhorse Brigade to train Cavalry Regiment; and a bri-
Team, 1st Cavalry Division on validating our Soldiers, gade of expert observers and
“Ironhorse,†to defeat them. systems and equipment,†said trainers, called OCTs, who
The Ironhorse Brigade, Col. Wilson R. Rutherford IV, offer coaching and feedback to
stationed at Fort Hood, Texas, commander of 1st Armored hone the skills units have ac-
recently came to the National Brigade Combat Team, 1st quired at their home stations.
Training Center for a grueling, Cavalry Division. “It is im-
month-long rotation that is portant we take training rota- Now more than ever, the
often described as the Super tions, like this one, at NTC sophisticated scenarios repli-
Bowl of Army training. The seriously in order to become cated at NTC are critical for
brigade faced not only the proficient before participating preparing units to operate in
See Ironhorse, page 3
Fort Irwin Earns Federal Award forWater Conservation
By Codi Kozacek for the Directorate of Public Works said. “If we don’t conserve, we will Directorate of Public Works
– also earned the Secretary of the not be able to continue the training
NTC / Fort Irwin PAO Army’s Energy and Water Manage- here. So it is mission essential for us The Fort Irwin water conservation team was awarded a Federal
FORT IRWIN, Calif. — The ment award in August. to do water conservation.†Energy and Water Management award Nov. 2 by the U.S. Department
U.S. Department of Energy recog- of Energy. The award recognizes “outstanding contributions†in
nized Fort Irwin’s water conserva- “It’s a team effort for everybody. “Our goal is to maximize con- the areas of energy efficiency, water conservation and the use of
tion program as one of the top in Conservation is everybody’s job,†servation and have water available advanced and renewable energy technologies. Shown with awards,
the federal government Nov. 2 by said Bari. “It’s a commanders’ for the National Training Center from left: Muhammad Bari, Director of Public Works; Sandra Key, Chief,
presenting installation representa- emphasis, soldiers’ effort, and all to train here for the foreseeable Housing Division and RCI Project Manager; and Christopher Woodruff,
tives with a Federal Energy and civilians. They’re all participating future,†he added. Project Manager, Directorate of Public Works.
Water Management award. in this major conservation effort.â€
The award highlights federal Fort Irwin’s approach to water
organizations and agencies for “out- Over the past 12 years, Fort conservation is multifaceted. The
standing contributions†to energy Irwin reduced its annual water us- installation has aggressively sought
efficiency, water conservation and age by approximately 40 percent, a to curb demand from domestic
renewable energy. Fort Irwin was savings of more than 400 million uses by installing low-flow toilets,
one of eight government organiza- gallons. The installation cut water showerheads and other fixtures
tions to receive the commendation usage by 67.7 million gallons be- throughout housing and work areas.
for its entire program. The installa- tween Fiscal Year 2015 and Fiscal It was also the first to implement
tion’s water conservation team – in- Year 2016 alone. Because Fort Irwin a mock billing program in 2015
cluding Muhammad Bari, director relies on an underground aquifer to encourage household conserva-
of Public Works; Sandra Key, chief, that is recharged by just 4 inches of tion and to identify and fix leaks.
Housing Division and RCI project rain per year, these achievements The billing program went live this
manager; Col. Scott Taylor, former are critical to sustain the mission October.
garrison commander; and Chris- capability of the National Training
topher Woodruff, project manager Center, Bari said. The conservation program has
also focused on expanding recycled
“We are a desert community.
Water is a commodity here,†he See Water, page 5
