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U.S. Forces Fight in the Atropian City of Razish

By Capt Chad E Cooper (Irwin)April 2, 2012

An insurgent, depicted by a Canadian Army soldier, takes aim at an enemy position during the Decisive Action Rotation at Fort Irwin, Calif., March 17.
1 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – An insurgent, depicted by a Canadian Army soldier, takes aim at an enemy position during the Decisive Action Rotation at Fort Irwin, Calif., March 17. The DA Rotation incorporates a hybrid threat environment of guerrilla fighters, insurgents, crimina... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Donovian Forces, depicted by U.S. Army Soldiers from the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, prepare to invade the city of Razish at the National Training Center, Fort Irwin, Calif., March 16.
2 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Donovian Forces, depicted by U.S. Army Soldiers from the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, prepare to invade the city of Razish at the National Training Center, Fort Irwin, Calif., March 16. The attack was part of the Decisive Action Training Environmen... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Citizens of Razish, role-players used to provide the town population at the National Training Center, react to nearby explosions during a training exercise at Fort Irwin, Calif., March 17.
3 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Citizens of Razish, role-players used to provide the town population at the National Training Center, react to nearby explosions during a training exercise at Fort Irwin, Calif., March 17. The explosions were used to simulate artillery and mortar rou... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Donovian Forces, depicted U.S. Army Soldiers from the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, advance through the city of Razish at the National Training Center, Fort Irwin, Calif., March 17.
4 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Donovian Forces, depicted U.S. Army Soldiers from the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, advance through the city of Razish at the National Training Center, Fort Irwin, Calif., March 17. The Donovian Forces are used during the Decisive Action Training En... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT IRWIN, Calif. -- Many people are not aware of the war between the countries of Donovia and Atropia over the border city of Razish, and for good reason, it's not real. The countries aren't real and the battles are only a training simulation. But, no matter how simulated the combat is, the outcome of the fighting will have a major impact on the future of the Army.

The conflict over the city of Razish was part of the Decisive Action Rotation at the National Training Center, Fort Irwin, Calif., March 10TH -- 23rd. The DA Rotation features a hybrid threat of guerrilla fighters, insurgents, criminal elements and conventional forces which allows Soldiers to fully prepare for the conflicts of the future.

The fictitious countries of Donovia and Atropia are based in the Caucasus region between Europe and Asia. When Donovia invades and seizes the city of Razish, it causes a disruption in the area's export of hydrocarbon resources. The Rotational Training Unit must assist Atropia to restore stability to the region and protect the interests of the United States to make the conflict as realistic as possible. The RTU is faced with political problems, military conflicts, economic concerns, social issues, and environmental factors within the Decisive Action Training Environment.

Donovian forces are depicted by the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment. This also allows the Senior Trainers to direct and react to the training environment to ensure the best development of the RTU. This unique mission is vital to the readiness of the Army because it provides the most capable and lethal combined opposing force possible.

The 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment's unique mission is vital to the readiness of our army. That mission is to provide the US Army the most capable and lethal combined arms opposing force in the world. The 11th ACR is the Army's opposing force at the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, California. There, the Blackhorse trains the United States Army, one unit at a time in the brutally harsh climate of the Mojave Desert. Consequently, the tough and uncompromising standards of the 11th ACR have become the yardstick against which the rest of the Army measures itself.

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