Page 8 - Ft. Irwin High Desert Warrior, July 7 2017

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Local
High Desert Warrior July 7, 2017
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New RV Park Coming to Fort Irwin By Ken Drylie
HDW editor
Fort IrwIn, CalIF. — The U.S. Army Gar- risonCommandTeamcelebratedthebeginningofa new construction project that will eventually lead to an improved camping experience at the recreational vehicle park here.
The full project will add 59 new RV spaces, more than doubling the size of the park. Other amenities included in the $7 mil project include a comfort station, a registration booth, a propane filling sta- tion, as well as improvements to the existing 50 RV camping spaces.
The project is needed to expand and renovate the existing RV Park. Currently the park is too small for the demand. The end result is an expanded, modern park that will meet the needs of Soldiers, families, retirees and other patrons authorized to use the facility.
Garrison Commander Colonel G. Scott Taylor cut the ribbon on the first phase of the improvement project, a new waste water line. Previously, customers at the RV Park had to wait for a waste removal truck to come around and drain the tanks on each RV.
Garrison Commander Colonel G. Scott Taylor cuts the ribbon on the new waste water line at the Fort Irwin RV Park. Pictured from left to right are: Muhammad Bari, Director of DPW, Marion Taylor, Director FMWR, Col. Taylor, Command Sgt. Maj. Daniel O’Brien, Garrison Command Sergeant Major, and Chris Woodruff, DPW Environmental Engineer.
238th ASOS at the National Training Center
Fort IrwIn, CalIF. — The 238th Air Support Operations Squadron, Mississippi Air National Guard, is conducting close air support at the National Training Center during the 155th Armored Brigade Combat Team’s rotation.
The Meridian, Mississippi, based 238th ASOS, has members with over thirteen years of experience in the Tactical Air Control Party field. The unit specializes in close air support and plays an important role in supporting the 155th ABCT.
During the rotation, they showcased what they can bring to the battlefield for the Mississippi Army National Guard.
Maj. Frank Monterrosa, the air liaison that coordinates with the 155th, said it lets the Army see what JTACs capabilities are, effects on the battlefield, and how the JTACs can help assist the ground commander.
The TACP consists of Joint Terminal Air Controllers, JTACs, who are called in for critical air support that help advance the 155th against opposing forces. JTACs coordinates air support missions with pilots and guide them during at- tacks to engage enemy targets.
The JTACs provide pilots and the commander on the ground with live updates of GPS coordinates and visual descriptions while observing the enemy.
They help shape the battlefield by hitting key targets, enemy defensive systems, command and control centers, artillery pieces and anything at the commander’s discretion, said Monterrosa.
The 238th ASOS also conducted live fire, close air support training at NTC following the two-week field exercise. The Airmen coordinated with F-16’s and F-18’s from Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, to engage targets with Mark-82 high explosive bombs and 20 mm gun systems.
Staff Sgt. Jared Doyle and Staff Sgt. Ted Soto used the live fire to complete their qualifications and are now qualified JTACs. They are now able to call in close air support during real-world combat missions.
During the rotation the units are put to the test on skill levels and expertise in part to the realistic operational environment that the National Training Center brings.
“NTC lets you see where those holes are in your training plan and lets you see where your deficiencies are”, said Senior Master Sgt. Matthew Jackson. “It also shows you where your strengths are too, so you get an overall picture of where your unit stands.”
For more information go to www.irwin.army.mil