Fort Irwin Military Reservation
One of the Army's largest and busiest training ranges, infantry live and train in real battle-like conditions here. Tanks, personnel carriers, and helicopters are used in full-scale simulated battles, where the home force, known as the Krashnovians, act as the enemy, replicating elements of a soviet motorised rifle division, against visiting infantry. The thousand square-mile range is wired for electronic battle simulations using lasers instead of live munitions. Annual budget is around $250 million.
Visitation:
Fort Irwin Road connects Interstate 15, a few miles east of Barstow, 25 miles to the main gate, which blocks access to all except those on official business. At the gate there is an often closed visitors center. The Rockpile is an interesting site along the way to the gate.
Coordinates:
General Location:
37 miles NE of Barstow
State:
Archive ID#:
4780