Ft. Irwin High Desert Warrior, October 2021

Volume 17, Number 10
Published in the interest of the National Training Center and Fort Irwin community • home.army.mil/Irwin October 2021
916th Support Brigade celebrates
24th birthday and reflects on its
important mission
Fort Irwin Public Affairs
FORT IRWIN, Calif. — The Fort Irwin Garrison Command Team alongside the Department of Public Works and Aloha Construc- tion Services hosted a ribbon- cutting ceremony opening multiple community play- grounds across the installa- tion, on Sept. 20.
Speaking in front of the newly upgraded playground by the Splash Pad, Fort Irwin Garrison Commander Col. Jason Clarke noted that the upgraded playgrounds on the installation were a long time coming.
“These playgrounds were in a big need of an overhaul,”
said Clarke. “A lot of our playgrounds were not ADA (American Disabilities Act) Compliant. By upgrading these playgrounds and mak- ing them compliant, we can provide recreational activities
to our community, especially to those with kids who have special needs.”
There were a total of four playgrounds that compro- mised the nine-month $3.3 million quality of life project.
See PLAYGROUND, Page 2
By Abe Dawoud
Fort Irwin Public Affairs
FORT IRWIN, Calif — The 916th Sup- port Brigade kicked off a multi-day birthday celebration with a Esprit De Corps Run and an organization day as the Brigade turned 24 on Thursday, Sept. 16.
“The 916th Support Brigade is an integral part of the National Training Center,” said Col. LaHavie Brunson, commander of the 916th Support Brigade. “Our mission is to exercise mission command for sustaining and select aviation support operations across the NTC’s area of operations.”
Activated in 1997, the Brigade provides sup- port to the National Training Center, sustainment for rotational units, and trains forces for worldwide contingency operations. The Brigade is also heav- ily involved in every aspect of training rotations.
“Our actions include everything from the coordination of all the commodity and sup- plies units will use during their rotation, the sequencing of rail loads and line hauls, and any of an innumerable list of tasks required to move, feed, arm, and sustain over 5,000 Soldiers,” said Brunson.
On average the Brigade delivers, maintains, and transports over 3,000 pieces of equipment, not including the use of over 1,200 vehicles from their prepositioned fleet.
The brigade also has three deployable units, the 2nd HET Company, the 171 MCC/MCT, and the Bravo, 229th Aviation Regiment Grey Eagle Company which is currently deployed.
“The business of people is far too important to not do it right”, Brunson said while speaking to his formation. “The work that we do every- day is important, its meaningful, its impactful but the people are what matter.”
“Our mandate is clear— develop expert
capacity at the team, section, crew, platoon, and company level to support each rotation, while at the same time couple that proficiency and increasing our deployment readiness to be postured for whatever operational requirements may be asked of our brigade,” he said. “We have had a formation assigned or attached to this brigade deployed for nearly every day of the past two years. For that reason, we can never afford to forget the duality of the demands on this formation.”
The Brigade’s Command Sergeant Major, Montrell Kea, also highlighted the sheer volume and expanse of responsibilities his Soldiers are entrusted with. “The Brigade never shuts down with our requirement to support AEROMEDEVAC missions 24/7/365. We are heavily reliant on the incredibly talented cadre of Soldiers and Civilians in the Brigade,” he said. “Given the tremendous breadth of our responsibilities there are no days where we have the luxury of an average performance.”
During the past few years, the Brigade has seen some notable achievements while undertaking their daily routine of sustaining the force. “There are countless things Sergeant Major and I are proud of when we reflect on the past year,” Brunson said. “The obvious things are instances like having the NTC NCO of the year, the incredible work B/229th AVN Regiment is executing downrange, the incredible contributions of our civilians work- force, and the complete transformation of how we support rotations with HET support that was better for our Soldiers and the units in rotation.“
“What gives me the greatest pride and joy is the opportunity to meet and interact with our amazing Soldiers within this Brigade,” Brunson concluded. “The ability to make a difference in the lives of families and Soldier’s lives is a gift and blessing I treasure. I am incredibly proud and honored to work with this team every day.”
U.S. Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal technician earns Master EOD Badge on Fort Irwin
Fort Irwin community playgrounds
receive multimillion dollar upgrades By Abe Dawoud
By Walter T. Ham IV
CBRNE Command
FORT IRWIN, California — A seasoned U.S. Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal technician earned the Master EOD Badge on Fort Irwin, California, Sept. 14.
Staff Sgt. Gabriel M. Leon from the 759th Ordnance Company (EOD) earned the badge after eight years of service as an EOD technician.
“The other requirement is a dedication to the EOD career field, and striving to learn as much as possible to live up to the badge,” said Leon.
The Master EOD Badge is the highest level badge for an enlisted EOD technician. Basic, Senior and Master are the three levels of the EOD badge, the only joint service occupa-
tional badge awarded by the U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Air Force. Leon has served with the 759th EOD Company “Detonators” for four years. Prior to that, he was with the Fort Polk, Louisiana,- based 705th EOD Company, Fort Stewart, Georgia,-based 766th EOD Company and Yongsan Garrison, South Korea-based 718th
EOD Company.
A nine-year U.S. Army veteran who has
deployed to Iraq and Kuwait, Leon has re- sponded to more than 100 explosives during overseas military operations and on domestic mitigation missions.
Leon said serving as an EOD team leader has been one of the highlights of his time in the profession.
“My first few responses as a team leader are my most memorable,” said Leon, who is from Galva, Illinois. “They both involved a lot of coordination with other units, as well as critical thinking. For me, it really showcased the aspects of the team leader position that are not really seen until you are in the position.”
The 759th EOD Company is part of the 3rd EOD Battalion, 71st EOD Group and 20th Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, Explosives (CBRNE) Command.
Headquartered on Aberdeen Proving
See EOD, Page 2