Courtesy Photo | Maj. Gen. David A. Lesperance, commander of the National Training Center and Fort...... read more read more
04/08/2021
Donald Ross
National Training Center
FORT IRWIN, Calif. – The “Lesperance Landing Pad” is the latest Place In Desert (PID) dedicated at the National Training Center (NTC) in honor of Major General David A. Lesperance, the 22nd Commander of the NTC and Fort Irwin.
Following a “sacred tradition that began many years ago by our Scorpion Team; PIDs are chosen at the point where the leader has had the most significant impact to the force” said Col. Carl L. Michaud, the NTC Deputy Commander and Chief of Staff.
The location of the PID was near Logistics Support Area (LSA) Santa Fe, the latest addition to the Box (training area). “The location was chosen not only because the CG [Lesperance] fought so hard to get it, but because the Expeditionary RSOI (Reception Staging and Onward Movement) capability that we gained significantly changes the training here and better prepares our forces for real world operations in an austere environment,” said Michaud.
Maj. Gen. David A. Lesperance, was surprised and honored when he learned of the location but said that after serving here now three times, that leaving is “bitter sweet.”
“I love the desert, mission and capabilities that we can only do here at Fort Irwin and I’m saddened by the fact that I’ll never be assigned here again….it’s the people here that really make the difference, and makes this a special place,” he said.
“The capability we created with LSA Santa Fe is enduring and the expeditionary mindset this creates is exactly the right lessons that we want our BCT’s (Brigade Combat Teams) to leave here with. The austere environment BCT’s experience here better prepares them for where they may need to fight in the future,” said Lesperance.
Beneath the windsock and pole etched with “Lesperance Landing Pad” is the NTC patch engraved with the call signs used by Major General Lesperance during his previous NTC assignments: Scorpion 07, Outlaw 01, and Lead 06.
The informal dedication ended with the ceremonial explosions of grenade simulators…also a sacred NTC tradition.
Major General Lesperance will relinquish command of the NTC and Fort Irwin to Brigadier General Curtis D. Taylor on April 22nd.
| Date Taken: | 04.08.2021 |
| Date Posted: | 04.16.2021 13:11 |
| Story ID: | 393770 |
| Location: | FORT IRWIN, CA, US |
| Web Views: | 504 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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