NTC Hosts Community, Gold Star Families for Box Tour

FORT IRWIN, Calif. – U.S. Army Soldiers from the National Training Center (NTC) hosted friends, neighbors and family members from both near and far during the Community Box Tour here, February 2, 2024.

While some guests were long-time friends, such as U.S. Army retirees also known as “Soldiers for Life,” family members, and U.S. Army Gold Star families, most experienced their first look at Fort Irwin and the extensive training area, known as “the box,” which provides a dynamic and realistic training environment for thousands of Soldiers visiting each year from around the country and the world, who must test their mettle against an aggressive and well trained opposing force (OPFOR) as they engage in large scale combat operations (LSCO) at the division and brigade levels.

Attendees first gathered for a photograph at the local landmark just off post, known as “Painted Rocks,” where Soldiers from combat units have emblazoned their insignias and crests on boulders for nearly four decades to mark their time here.

The Fort Irwin garrison commander, Col. Lane A. Bomar, greeted guests who then travelled on buses to the hub of training operations, for a briefing from Maj. Gen. Curtis D. Taylor, the commanding general of NTC and Fort Irwin , who explained the mission of NTC and how it prepares leaders and Soldiers for what he called the “ambiguity” of war.

“Our job is to provide tough, realistic training to prepare our guys to win the first battle of the next war,” Taylor said. “There is nowhere else in the world where they will have the opportunity to train in large scale combat operations on landscape this size, offering these kinds of challenges and multidimensional training opportunities.”

Taylor also explained the three important pillars of the training methodology used at NTC to accomplish that mission, which all starts with a dynamic and professional opposing force, provided primarily by 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, overseen by experienced observer/coach trainers (O/CTs,) from NTC Operations Group.

“Pillar one consists of our experienced O/CTs, who are some of the best trainers in the world all chosen to come here because of their professionalism and dedication,” said Taylor.

Pillar two, according to Taylor, is the “home team,” 11th Armored Cav. Regt., which provides a “dynamic, intelligent, and extremely competent OPFOR for RTU to fight."

“These guys are highly trained, lethal, and they know every nook and cranny of the box,” said Taylor.

The third pillar is the incredibly challenging training environment, according to Taylor, which includes the hundreds of miles of rigorous terrain, austere weather conditions, detailed political and ethnic scenarios enacted by role players who act as civilians on the battlefield, cyberspace challenges, threats from above by aviation units and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and highly sophisticated training instrumentation.

“The reason we do all of this,” said Taylor, pausing pointedly. “Is not only to make sure our leaders at every echelon are prepared to win that first battle of the next war, but ensure they bring each one of our Soldiers home safely.”

After the brief, Taylor and Command Sgt. Maj. Carvet C. Tate, the NTC and Fort Irwin command sergeant major, took a few moments to meet privately with the Gold Star Families and thank them for their presence and sacrifices before the visitors boarded the buses again en masse and headed out to the training area.

Gold Star Families include parents, siblings, spouses, children, and extended families who have experienced the loss of a loved one who died as a result of active-duty military service.

Once in the training area, tour guests witnessed a dynamic simulated battle, performed, and narrated, by Soldiers from 11th Armored Cav. Regt., punctuated with smoke and air and MEDEVAC support overhead provided by 2916th Aviation Battalion, 916th Support Brigade UH60 Blackhawk helicopter pilots and crews.

Guests toured the streets of a major urban operations center, where they encountered foreign language speaking civilians actors who gave a lively re-enactment of a city marketplace before joining service members for a meal consisting of Soldier rations, or Meals Ready to Eat (MREs).

Soldiers chatted with the guests and helped them choose, open, and cook their meals, while an O/CT from Ghost Team, NTC Ops. Group conducted an after-action review (AAR) to demonstrate some of the interactive coaching methods used at NTC.

Afterward, the group proceeded to a static display of fighting vehicles, weapons, and UAVs, where Soldiers explained the equipment and gave participants the chance to shoot and handle weapons, before they boarded the buses and headed back to post to visit the Gen. Robert W. Cone NTC and 11th ACR Heritage Center to conclude the tour.

Sgt. 1st Class Cristina Cruz, a Company B, 229th Aviation Regiment, 2916th Aviation Bn. Soldier, said she brought her spouse, Navy veteran and diesel mechanic Kristina Cruz, on the tour so she could see first-hand what happens in the box.

“I wanted her to get the chance to see everything for herself, experience the gunfire… enjoy an MRE…” Cruz said laughing. “This has been a blast.”

Gold Star mother, Lynda Lambert, Inland Empire Chapter, American Gold Star Mothers, Inc., local chapter president, who lives in nearby Hesperia, Calif., said she joined the box tour because she loves spending time with Soldiers and families, particularly at Fort Irwin.

Lambert, who lost her son, Army medic Spc. Stephen Anthony Mobley, almost 12 years ago, said the Fort Irwin community supported her and comforted her since the moment she learned of her son’s death.

“I am out here because the Army just put their arms around me 12 years ago, and they haven’t let go yet,” Lambert said. “I have always wanted to attend the box tour here; this is my Army family.”

Lambert said her passion is serving Soldiers and she enjoys the chance to check in with them anytime she can, especially new recruits and the 18 and 19-year-olds away from home for the first time.

“I have a mother’s love to share, and I just want to put my arms around them,” Lambert said. “I’ll be here whenever I can and I know a lot of my sisters will be here– the Blue Star moms, the Gold Star moms, together we can reach out and put our arms around your kids– no matter where they are.”

Lambert added that her favorite part of the tour, besides interacting with the troops, was the chance to shoot the M4 carbine.

"I just encourage everyone to come out here and support our Soldiers, see what they do, get to know them, and show them some compassion,” said Lambert. “It really is a lot of fun.”