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www.aerotechnews.com/ntcfortirwin 15High Desert Warrior
November 6, 2015
Community Relations
NTC shows its stuff and spirit at Barstow’s
Mardi Gras Parade
Story and photos by Leslie Ozawa we have many traditions in the Army, we love Soldiers of the 11th ACR, in their service uniforms, are photographed by military
sharing in their tradition. We’re very excited to photographers as they marched down Barstow’s Main Street during its Mardi Gras Parade.
Public Affairs Office be out here. Here you have Soldiers in ASU’s,
you got multiple vehicles. It’s going to be a
The National Training Center was well lot of fun.”
represented in Barstow’s 83rd annual Mardi
Gras Parade that unfolded on a mile and a half Leading the Army deployment from Fort
route down Barstow’s East Main Street in the Irwin were 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment’s
early evening hours of Oct. 24. famed horse detachment, followed by NTC’s
senior leaders and spouses waving from hum-
The Kiwanis Club-sponsored event drew vees. Soldiers from the 916th Support Brigade
thousands of Barstow residents who cheered dressed in Vietnam-era uniforms were followed
on the hundreds of paraders, floats, vehicles, by 11th ACR’s senior leaders and a company
military and civic leaders, and marchers that of 11th ACR Soldiers smartly dressed in their
included the Silver Valley High School march- blue Army service uniforms. Behind them were
ing band. a platoon of dismounted 11th ACR Soldiers in
combat uniforms in wedge formation, followed
While waiting for the parade to start, Fort by a MRAP (mine resistant ambush protected
Irwin United States Army Garrison Com- vehicle), a M3A2 Bradley fighting vehicle, and
mander Col. Scott Taylor said, “I get to ride an OPFOR surrogate vehicle used to simulate
in the parade that I used to watch many years enemy infantry fighting vehicle. Bringing up
ago. I remember eating at the Village Café [two rear of the NTC contingent was the 11th ACR’s
blocks away from the parade start] when I came main battle tank designed to simulate a Russian
here as a high schooler.” T-80 main battle tank.
“It’s great to be out here in the city of Bar-
stow,” said Maj. Gen. Joseph Martin, NTC
and Fort Irwin commanding general. “While
National Training Center and Fort Irwin Commander Maj. Gen. Joseph Martin and Mrs.
Leann Martin wave to the hundreds of parade watchers at Barstow’s 83rd Mardi Gras
Parade, Oct. 24.
The 11th ACR’s M2A2 Bradley fighting vehicle impressed the crowds by turning its turret Leading the charge for the National Training Center were troopers from the 11th
as it weaved from side to side near the viewing stand on Main Street. Armored Cavalry Regiment’s horse detachment wearing 1901 U.S. Cavalry uniforms.
For more information go to www.irwin.army.mil
