Page 5 - Fort Irwin High Desert Warrior, June 2021
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4  High Desert Warrior  www.aerotechnews.com/ntcfortirwin  www.aerotechnews.com/ntcfortirwin                                  High Desert Warrior        5
 June 2021
                                                                                                                                          June 2021
 Community                                                                                                                                 News



 Brig. Gen. Andrew Hilmes awards   Fort Irwin Police Department Remembers





 NTC soldier for heroic act  Military Working Dog Rambo




                           By Abe Dawoud                    born, and strong willed, that challenge was Rambo,”
 By Abe Dawoud  falling out.                                said Gardner. “From that moment on we were insepa-
 “I just remem-  FORT IRWIN, Calif. —  e Fort Irwin Police Department,  rable.”
 Fort Irwin Public A airs  said goodbye to Military Working Dog (MWD) Rambo, in a   Gardner had been Rambo’s handler for more than
 FORT IRWIN, Calif. — What was de-  ber yelling to my   memorial ceremony held on May 5.   3 years until his passing.
 guys to hang on, and
 scribed to be the start of a routine October   tried maneuvering   MWD Rambo provided distinguished service while as-  “I found Rambo to love his work whether it was
 morning  out  in  the  (training  area)  Box,   the Humvee into a   signed to the National Training Center, from May 23, 2014,  detection or aggression,” he said. “Partnering with Lt.
 turned to a potentially deadly one, as a brake-  small ditch,” said   to April  1, 2021. Rambo was whelped on June 24, 2012, and  Wayne Stickels and then myself Rambo made a name
 line failure caused a Humvee to lose control.   Yaguas. “That very   began training as a military working dog at the 343rd Training  for himself on Fort Irwin, with numerous sweeps and
  anks to his training and actions, Spc. Frank   moment, the vehicle   Squadron on Joint Base San Antonio Lackland, Texas. There he   nds.
 Yaguas, was able to save the lives of his fellow   went airborne for   entered initial narcotics detector dog training and was certi ed   From 2018-2019 Rambo had the highest narcot-
 soldiers within the vehicle.  about  ve seconds,   on March 4, 2014.  en after he was assigned to Fort Irwin  ics finds in all of U.S. Army Installation Command
 “It was a typical morning in the Box,”   and when we land-  on June of 2014. Rambo has been assigned to two di erent  as well as holding the record for the biggest narcotics
 Yaguas said. “We woke up, got into our   ed in the ditch, the   handlers and certi ed seven times over the course of his career   nd on Fort Irwin. “ ere were several times CID or
 Humvee and started scouting for positions   Humvee completely   at the National Training Center.   other units would call, even with me on the phone
 on mountain sides as the rotational battle was   stopped.”  “I remember walking into the kennel area and seeing Rambo.  they would ask for Rambo, as if Rambo worked alone,”
 going on.  e  rst position we scouted wasn’t   Once the vehi-  He wasn’t bouncing around like the other dogs,” said Sgt. Mi-  said Gardner.
 the best and we knew we needed to drive   cle was stationary,   chael Gardner, Rambo’s handler. “He was doing summersaults   Soldiers and civilians throughout the installation,   radio roll call was made for Rambo. “All units K9 Rambo has
 down the mountainside and  nd a new one.”  Yaguas ensured that   o  the top of the walls.”   came to the Fort Irwin Police Kennel to remember Rambo, as
 While driving down the mountainside,  his  fellow Soldiers   emergency event or an imminently dangerous   After his previous working dog had retired, Sgt. Gardner  well as multiple Marines from the Marine Corps Logistics Base   answered the highest call, all units K9 Rambo has answered his
 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-  was given two options. Partner with MWD Rambo or wait for  in Barstow.      nal call. Rest in peace K9 Rambo we have the watch.”
 Humvee, but to no avail.  no injuries.   loss, such as damage to Army property or   ian  Award.  “Throughout  the  COVID-19   another working dog from Joint Base San Antonio Lackland.   At  the  conclusion  of   From HERITAGE, Page 1
 “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   “I wanted a challenge of working with a dog who was stub-  the memorial service a last
 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   nation’s history and continue to be pivotal its success.
 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.”   From WISH, Page 1  This year’s observance came at a time when hate crimes against Asian Americans have seen a
 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   stopped smiling.”  bat-style vehicles, weapons  ducts an average of 10 train-  signi cant climb.
 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,   Guest speaker, Maj. Gen. (ret.) Eldon Regua referenced reports that over the last year, there have
            The 11th Armored Cav-
                                  simulations, tours of military  ing rotations a year, 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   alry Regiment, along with  vehicles and aircraft, meeting  Armored Brigade Combat   been 6,600 reported anti-Asian American crimes and incidents.
 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   the 916th Support Brigade  and petting the unit’s horses,  Teams with realistic joint   “Stop AAPI Hate, an advocacy group tracking hate incidents, said it had received nearly 3,800
 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   provided a full day of ac-  an opportunity to consume  and combined arms training.   reports of hate incidents since March 2020, compared with roughly 100 incidents in previous years,”
 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,   tivities for Carson and  ve  military meals-ready-to-eat  U.S. and international troops   Regua said as he mentioned those cases have terrified the Asian American community.
 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.”  He praised the COVID-19 Hate Crime bill that has been signed in congress that encourages
          of his family members.  e  (MREs) and more. Carson  from all of the services spend   more training on hate crimes for law enforcement, establishes hate crimes hotlines and allows for
 From COVID, Page 1  day began with a meet and  was not a fan of the MREs  a 21-one day rotation before   rehabilitation e orts for the perpetrators of hate crimes.
          greet with the Commanding  but said he had an exciting  deploying overseas.  e units
 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.   General of the NTC/Fort Ir-  day.  were happy to give Carson a   The DoD celebrates the month of May as AAPI month in order to honor the generations of
 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   win, Brig. Gen. Curtis Taylor   “Riding in the tank was  taste of what they do each   Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, and native Hawaiians who continue to serve proudly and
 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.  where Carson was promoted  my favorite part of the day,”  month.  sel essly in defense of the nation.
 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-  to second Lieutenant. Car-  he said. “The helicopters   “Even with a disability, if   The observance was signed into law in 1978, and commemorates the arrival of the first Japanese
 “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   son went on to be promoted  were awesome!”  you have the determination   immigrants to the U.S. on May 7, 1843.
 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   throughout the day at each of   Carson was able to par-  and will to do things, you   The AAPI community includes all Americans who trace their ancestry back to the Asian continent
 said. “If so, we will be able to open up some capacity in our Child Development Centers and   connected with the rotation.”  his stops, culminating with  ticipate in all of the day’s  can do it and enjoy the time   and the many Paci c Islands of Melanesia, Micronesia and Polynesia.
 our School Age Programs, and to expand our youth sports programs.”  the  nal rank of colonel by  activities while in an o cial  you have on earth with the   AAPIs have served in nearly every, armed conflict since the founding of the U.S and almost 60,000
 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   Army soldiers who identify as Asian American and Pacific Islander serve in the total force today.
 the next, few months.  safety. During the past two summers, the Army has lost 91 soldiers to off-duty mishaps and   11th ACR Commander, Col.  Army uniform that included  people you love, admire and   30,000 Japanese Americans enlisted in World War II and the 100th Infantry battalion and 442nd
 “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.  Todd Hook.  his o cial name tag.  look up to,” Katie Mead,   Regimental Combat team remains the most decorated unit in U.S. military history.
            “We were proud to have
                                    “We at  the National  Carson’s mother said. “He
 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   the opportunity to be a part  Training Center are honored  had an amazing day and he   Ultimately, the outstanding performance of segregated minority units, like the Tuskegee Airmen,
 and serve.”  travel,” Taylor said. “Please keep yourself safe this summer and let’s not become a statistic.”  the Native American Code Talkers and the famed NISEI warriors/soldiers led the Department of
 The Weed Army Community Hospital Command team reminded the community of vaccine   Live Community Updates can be found on Facebook.com/NTCfortirwin.  of Carson’s special day,” 11th  to be able to ful ll this dream  will never forget this!”  Defense to review its policies on minorities serving in the military and subsequent integration of
          ACR’s Cpt. Evan Cain said.  for Carson,” General Taylor   Make-A-Wish® is a non-
 From MEMORIAL DAY, Page 1  “I think some of the soldiers  said. “To be able to introduce  pro t organization that helps   the military.
          Carson met, and the experi-  him and his family to what  ful ll wishes of children with   Regua is Filipino American and said his culture continues to be underrepresented in the officer
 with whom we served and fought and loved.”  When asked of the day’s significance, the NTC and Fort Irwin senior enlisted advi-  ranks of all services but said leaders are working to get balance.
 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   ences he had while serving  our brave men and women  critical illnesses. Tens of   “I know the quality is out there but it’s going to take time,” he said. “We need to keep at it,
          as an honorary Blackhorse  do daily is a privilege and to  thousands of volunteers, do-
 of Buffalo, NY, with whom he served many years ago in combat.  Wilson was killed on  Decisive Action Rotation that just began.    Trooper will stay with him  work with such a great orga-  nors and supporters advance   though.”
 March 26, 2012, in Afghanistan.   Memorial Day is certainly significant but, “Even more so when you consider that we   for a very long time.”  nization like Make-A-Wish®  the  Make-A-Wish®  vision    e event was held at the Sandy Basin Community Center and also live streamed on Facebook.
 “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,”    e day included a dem-  demonstrates  the  Army’s  to grant the wish of every   com/NTCfortirwin.
 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   onstration of various py-  effort to collaborate with  eligible child. For children   It was hosted by the NTC MEO/EEO offices, along with the 2916th Aviation Brigade.
 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.”  rotechnic simulations and  and support our community  diagnosed with critical ill-  “AAPI month stands as a reminder for the strength the Army has gained and will gain through a
 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   artillery  firing,  a  UH-60  partners.”  nesses, a wish come true can   high quality, diverse, all-volunteer force,” Regua said. “Diversity makes the Army better and more
 — 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   Black Hawk aerial training   The  National Training  be a crucial turning point in   equipped to meet the challenges and threats of the future. Individuals of AAPI decent serve the
 his tremendous example.”      gun salute.    demo, rides in three com-  Center and Fort Irwin con-  their lives.  Army with great value and distinction and continue to be critical members of the Army team.”

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