Page 4 - Fort Irwin High Desert Warrior, June 2021

4 High Desert Warrior www.aerotechnews.com/ntcfortirwin
June 2021
Community

Brig. Gen. Andrew Hilmes awards

NTC soldier for heroic act

By Abe Dawoud falling out.
“I just remem-
Fort Irwin Public A airs
FORT IRWIN, Calif. — What was de- ber yelling to my
guys to hang on, and
scribed to be the start of a routine October tried maneuvering
morning out in the (training area) Box, the Humvee into a
turned to a potentially deadly one, as a brake- small ditch,” said
line failure caused a Humvee to lose control. Yaguas. “That very
anks to his training and actions, Spc. Frank moment, the vehicle
Yaguas, was able to save the lives of his fellow went airborne for
soldiers within the vehicle. about ve seconds,
“It was a typical morning in the Box,” and when we land-
Yaguas said. “We woke up, got into our ed in the ditch, the
Humvee and started scouting for positions Humvee completely
on mountain sides as the rotational battle was stopped.”
going on. e rst position we scouted wasn’t Once the vehi-
the best and we knew we needed to drive cle was stationary,
down the mountainside and nd a new one.” Yaguas ensured that
While driving down the mountainside, his fellow Soldiers emergency event or an imminently dangerous
Yaguas started to apply the brakes on his inside the Humvee were okay and reported situation, thereby eliminating or minimizing and awarded Yaguas The Army Safety Guard-
Humvee, but to no avail. no injuries. loss, such as damage to Army property or ian Award. “Throughout the COVID-19
“As we were going down, I started to put “Spc. Yaguas’ attention to detail was injury to Army personnel. Pandemic, we couldn’t give these awards in
some pressure on the brakes to maintain my unmatched within Fury Troop,” said Sgt. “I get a call one morning telling me to person,” Hilmes said. “ is is the rst award
speed, but quickly realized even putting my 1st Class Timothy Gardner, Yaguas’ platoon get a haircut, and to wear my best uniform I’ve awarded in person in over a year.”
entire foot on the brake, the Humvee was still leader. “He always looked and acted in a on the April 27, but I had no idea what was Looking back at the event that happened
gaining speed,” he said. “I heard my sergeant professional manner. Although he’s not in my going on,” he said. in October, Yaguas credits his Army training,
yell ‘e-brake,’ but even when I pulled the lever platoon anymore he is still missed.” The Commander of the U.S. Army Com- attention to detail, and his mentorship with
the vehicle did not slow down.” Unknowingly to Yaguas, he was nomi- bat Readiness Center, Brig. Gen. Andrew helping him make the right decisions under
As the vehicle was going downhill, at a fast nated for The Army Safety Guardian Award, Hilmes, was visiting the NTC, to interact immense pressure. “ e second we all got out
rate of speed, the doors ung open and the which is awarded to individuals through ex- with Senior Commander’s and Garrison safety the Humvee and I knew my guys were okay,
gear and equipment of the soldiers started traordinary actions or skills, who react to an o ces to understand the challenges they face I took a big sigh of relief.”

From COVID, Page 1
guests imposed in response to COVID-19 are lifted. Unvaccinated personnel should wear a “rodeos” they’re hosting at the Mary Walker Clinic for all eligible bene ciaries ages 12 and up.
mask at any indoor gathering outside their own home. The dates are the June 10, 11, 15 and 17. Vaccines will also be available at the Post Exchange
Taylor provided even more positive news, saying he’s asked the Garrison team to monitor and Main Store on the June 16, 17, 18, 21 and 22.
start planning for a transition to HPCon Alpha, should the conditions be acceptable. Taylor addressed how leaders are handling the current rotational training unit at NTC say-
“Based on the low numbers that we are seeing from this testing, I believe that we may be on ing, “Rotation 21-08 with the 155th Armored Brigade Combat Team out of Mississippi has
track to move to Health Protection Condition Alpha sometime in the month of June,” Taylor begun. In preparation for this exercise, we’ve been testing all unvaccinated personnel who are
said. “If so, we will be able to open up some capacity in our Child Development Centers and connected with the rotation.”
our School Age Programs, and to expand our youth sports programs.”
Taylor encouraged the community to participate in all the events happening on post over Taylor wrapped up his address by referencing his June 1 Lead 6 Sends message on summer
the next, few months. safety. During the past two summers, the Army has lost 91 soldiers to off-duty mishaps and
“It’s time for all of us to get reconnected,” Taylor said. “It’s been a long 15-16 months and Taylor said he wants to encourage everyone to practice safety and reduce risks.
it’s time to rebuild those bonds of social connection that make the Army a special place to live “I ask that all of you take appropriate measures to keep yourself and your family safe if you
and serve.” travel,” Taylor said. “Please keep yourself safe this summer and let’s not become a statistic.”
The Weed Army Community Hospital Command team reminded the community of vaccine Live Community Updates can be found on Facebook.com/NTCfortirwin.

From MEMORIAL DAY, Page 1
with whom we served and fought and loved.” When asked of the day’s significance, the NTC and Fort Irwin senior enlisted advi-
Taylor recounted a story and paid tribute to his personal hero, Staff Sgt. Billy Wilson sor, Command Sgt. Maj. William Justice, mentioned the mission of the NTC and the
of Buffalo, NY, with whom he served many years ago in combat. Wilson was killed on Decisive Action Rotation that just began.
March 26, 2012, in Afghanistan. Memorial Day is certainly significant but, “Even more so when you consider that we
“When Billy fell, he was standing side-by-side with the men of his platoon that he have a Brigade Combat Team (BCT) on the ground who begins their training here today,”
loved so much, doing what he had joined the Army to do,” Taylor said. “He fell in Justice said. “Our [NTC’s] mission is to build and sustain readiness for our Army. Our
the disciplined and courageous execution of his duty. Our nation must never forget success provides the tools needed for a BCT to win the first fight; and that saves lives.”
what he has done for us; not only how he died but how he lived. Absolutely selfless The Operations Group’s Wolf Team provided the salute battery. The flag at the
— committed to his family, his squad and his country. We would all do well to follow National Training Center’s headquarters was raised to full staff at noon, following the
his tremendous example.” gun salute.

For more information go to home.army.mil/irwin