Page 3 - Ft. Irwin High Desert Warrior Jul 1 2016

www.aerotechnews.com/ntcfortirwin High Desert Warrior 3
July 1, 2016
SecArmy Message

Army team, Soldiers, partners, and allies came together to demonstrate
It took a little longer than expected, but it’s great to the strength of NATO as well as set the world record for
be back. the longest amphibious vehicle bridge.
When I was growing up in Michigan, I did not envision
a career in defense and national security policy. But, with Later that week, I joined our teammates at Fort Hood
a family that includes two West Point graduates and an to remember our nine warriors recently lost in a tragic
Army Ranger, it is no surprise to them that I found my accident as a result of torrential flooding in Texas. It was
way to the Pentagon. After serving in the Air Force, Navy, a stark reminder of the stakes our Soldiers face each day,
OSD, and both ends of Pennsylvania Avenue, holiday whether engaging ISIS in the Middle East or preparing to
conversations were getting a little uncomfortable. I saved support disaster relief in Middle America. The Army is a
the best for last. dangerous business. We must remain vigilant.
If my Pentagon experience has taught me anything, it is
that time outside the building is much more informative To help you understand how I intend to shape the Army
than time inside. More than any other part of this job, I during our time together, I am including below my priori-
look forward to visiting Army Soldiers and Civilians where ties as your new Secretary (you can also find them at www.
you live and work. I know that unless I can see the impact army.mil/sa). I intend to focus on taking care of people,
of my decisions through your eyes, they are unlikely to be developing capabilities that prioritize emerging threats,
very informed decisions. and providing both the warfighter and the taxpayer with
Last week I celebrated the 241st birthday of the U.S. the equipment and value they demand.
Army in Poland to meet the Soldiers supporting Opera-
tion Anakonda, the largest military exercise since the end As we begin the Army’s 242nd year, I look forward to
of the Cold War. This was a Total Army effort, with 20 meeting many of you and hearing your stories. Be sure
Army Reserve and National Guard units from 14 different to reach out and engage with me and my team on social
states joining our forces in Europe. Together, over 31,000 media. Together, we will make our Army stronger…and
this year, I assure you, we will finally beat Navy!

Your Community

Weed Army Community Hospital
Commander Bids Fort Irwin Farewell
FORT IRWIN, Calif. -- Against the Mojave. “It is my privilege to be in the rst quarter after his arrival
the backdrop of the new Weed able to be here for two o cers --two Colonel Wieman has guided Weed Photo Credit: Michael Beaton, Weed Army Community Hospital Public A airs
Army Community Hospital under such exceedingly well-quali ed and through tremendous upheaval and
construction in the distance and the experienced o cers - for whom I personnel changes - and he has done Maj. Gen. Thomas R. Tempel, Jr. Commanding General U.S. Army
bramble covered hills of the Mojave have so much respect, as we honor so with an unprecedented overall Regional Health Command - Central (right) bids farewell to Col. Jason
desert beyond it, Col. Jason S. Wie- the tremendous achievements of an Patient Satisfaction Rate that consis- Wieman, former WACH commander after a Change of Command
man, Weed Army Community Hos- institution that does so much for tently hovers at 96 percent.” ceremony Monday, 6 June. During the ceremony Col. Wieman
pital (WACH) Commander, turned its patients, for our military and for relinquished command to Col. Martin Doperak. In his remarks Tempel
over his command to Col. Martin Californians as well.” said Tempel. Speaking to the assembled after was unstinting in his praise of Wieman’s many accomplishments
Doperak Monday, June 6 during a Tempel’s remarks Wieman said to and leadership during his two-year tenure at the WACH, and called
change of command ceremony on Tempel elaborated on the acco- the Soldiers and civilians present Doperack “The perfect candidate to succeed him as well as the right
the tarmac outside of the WACH lades the WACH team earned under that “It has been a genuine pleasure man to take the WACH into its new hospital facilities.” a move scheduled
main facility. Wieman. “In March, Weed earned to lead the WACH team, and to for the fall of 2016
exceptionally high marks on their work alongside a sta that is so able
During the ceremony Col. Dop- Joint Commission Reaccreditation and so committed to serving Fort NTC and Fort Irwin community. “My family and I have seldom been
erak received the colors from Maj. Inspection and in support of the Irwin Soldiers and their families as He mentioned how impressed he given such a heartfelt welcome; I’m
Gen. omas R. Tempel, Jr., com- NTC mission COL Wieman’s com- well as the thousands of Soldiers that was with the MEDDAC team, their honored to be here today and to
manding general, U.S. Army Re- mand has personally touched and come to train annually at the NTC. camaraderie and professionalism. serve with you.”
gional Health Command Central assisted 19 Brigade Combat Teams The man who follows me, Col.
(Provisional) and Chief U.S. Army in preparation for combat missions, Doperack, is exactly the right Army
Dental Cpls, signifying the respon- in direct support of General Milley’s Medicine leader for the WACH and
sibility he accepts as the new Com- number one requirement: Readi- to bring this command into the new
mander of the Fort Irwin MEDDAC ness.” said Tempel, “He has increased multi-million dollar facility you see
and WACH. the NTC Medical-Ready Units ten behind me.” Before concluding Wie-
percentage points and taken them man thanked and acknowledged the
Speaking to the more than 300 from the middle of the FORSCOM critical role that his wife, Delilah,
WACH and NTC personnel in at- pack and elevated them to become played in his successful tenure at the
tendance after the traditional passing consistently number one among WACH. “It could not have done it
of the colors, Tempel, who presided their peers. Last December, after a without her.” he said.
of the ceremony, lauded Wiemans’ nearly 15 year hiatus, Col. Wieman
many achievements he and his com- and his team brought back Expert In his rst remarks as the new
mand team have achieved since his Field Medical Badge testing to Fort Fort Irwin MEDDAC Commander
arrival in June 2014, and welcomed Irwin and the NTC and beginning Col. Doperack expressed his en-
Doperak to his new command in thusiasm to work in support of the

For more information go to www.irwin.army.mil