Re: My Fort Irwin Expansion EIS Written Comments
Posted by A 19 Delta Scout on June 22, 2004 at 17:44:25:
In Reply to: Re: My Fort Irwin Expansion EIS Written Comments posted by johnc on June 22, 2004 at 15:25:16:
Some of our weapon systems as with military battle lines have increased almost ten-fold since the Vietnam War and Gulf War.
The military has things called staging areas and battle lines for battle engagement. The primary line is at 2 miles (if you’re in the military you will understand this) with the tactical operational center (TOC) being about 10/20 miles to the rear. Behind this are units for rocket and artillery as with helicopter, logistics (maintenance, fuel, etc.) and material management (ammo, food, water, first aid, tires, spare parts) support. The TOC is the core of any armor or light infantry unit. This TOC must move ever hour as to not be destroyed by the enemy. In some cases, it may move up to five miles from its previous location. In true engagement, these lines can spread out to over 40/60 miles. At this time, there is not a single base capable of handling a "true" LAND battle scenario. With this expansion, the US Army as with the Marines will have the ability to do “realistic” battle training.
Nothing is more frustrated when you’re training and you have to share your space with a convoy of battle tanks or other units and must wait before you can move to continue with the mock battle training. This is currently happening at Ft. Irwin.
I would highly recommend you all take a tour of the base. See the systems, talk to the soldiers, and understand their concerns. Four times the base has offered this to our California Senators, and four times they have declined. Amazing how the news never publishes this information.
A 19 Delta Scout