Operations Group, National Training Center

05/05/2026

The Operations Group, Wolf team hosts the annual Saint Barbara’s Ball at Sandy Basin, Fort Irwin, Calif. on April 30, 2026.

Lt. Col. Justin Cuff inducts soldiers into the Order of Saint Barbara by presenting them with a red ribbon and medallion representing the St. Barbara's award. The Order of Saint Barbara is the most distinguished honorary society of the United States Army Field Artillery and the Air Defense Artillery. It links artillery men and women of the past and present in the brotherhood and sisterhood of professionalism which perpetuates the spirit of the King of Battle.

U.S. Army Transformation and Training Command, Combined Arms Command, National Training Center/Fort Irwin, Fort Irwin

04/24/2026

"Outlaw Corner" - Episode 7

Operations Group, National Training Center/Fort Irwin brings you updates, information and messages from our Command Team.

Leave us a note and let us know what you think.

, , U.S. Army Transformation and Training Command, Fort Irwin, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment-Blackhorse, 1st Infantry Division

04/22/2026

US Army announces new Combat Field Test to enhance Soldier readiness

https://www.army.mil/article/291880

, U.S. Army, U.S. Army Transformation and Training Command

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Army today announced the implementation of the new Combat Field Test (CFT), a major update to its physical readiness program desig...

04/22/2026

Operations Group, National Training Center/Fort Irwin said farewell to CSM Gary Kurtzhals.

April 21, 2026, was bittersweet for those who gathered for Command Sgt. Maj. Gary Kurtzhals’s Relinquishment of Responsibility. The ceremony took place at the Epicenter in Fort Irwin, California. He served as the Command Sergeant Major of Operations Group from 2024-2026. Over the years, he has served as a tireless advocate for Non-Commissioned Officer. Through his incomparable coaching and guidance, the observer coaches and rotational units that have passed though the National Training Center stand stronger and ready for combat.

We wish him the best of luck in his future endevors.

, Fort Irwin, U.S. Army Transformation and Training Command

04/21/2026

OPS Call time…..
Operations Group Critter Teams gathered on April 20, 2026, for the traditional end of rotation OPS Call.

Col. Ian Lauer, Commander of Operations Group recognized soldiers for excellence shown during Rotation 26-06.

U.S. Army photos Spc. Casey Auman, Operations Group, National Training Center

, , U.S. Army Transformation and Training Command, National Training Center/Fort Irwin, Fort Irwin

04/20/2026

Podcast now available Thinking Inside the Box - The Gauntlet EP33: Through the Lens of a Maneuver Battalion, Applying Fundamentals to the Planning and Preparation Process (NTC Warrior Chronicles)

Thinking Inside the Box – The Gauntlet, part of the NTC Warrior Chronicles, brings you interviews with the United States Army’s experts in combined arms maneuver, the Observer Coach Trainers (OC/Ts) of Operations Group, at the National Training Center (NTC), Fort Irwin, California.

In this episode, host Lt. Col. Trinidad Chavez, Senior Trainer of Operations Group sits down with the Capt. Abreu, Capt. Hansen and Sgt. First Class Essig to discuss applying fundamentals to the planning and preparing process to enable maneuver battalions’ success at the National Training Center. They talk about the Planning Process, Military Decision-Making Process (MDMP), Mission Analysis, Courses of Action (COA) Development the Rapid-Making and Synchronization Process (RDSP), staff synchronization, fighting products, rehearsals, and recommendations before coming to NTC.

Listen at...
https://www.dvidshub.net/audio/91392/thinking-inside-box-gauntlet-ep33-through-lens-maneuver-battalion-applying-fundamentals-planning-and

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/thinking-inside-the-box-the-gauntlet-ep32-through/id1683599562?i=1000762465951

, , , U.S. Army Transformation and Training Command, Center for Army Lessons Learned, U.S. Army Combined Arms Doctrine Directorate, Combined Arms Command

04/19/2026

That’s a Wrap!!! National Training Center/Fort Irwin Rotation 26-06 concluded on April 17, 2026.

Over the past week the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division conducted live fire defensive, breaching and sustainment operations; and attacked to seize objectives.

Rotations at the National Training Center ensures that the U.S. Army remains versatile, responsive, and consistently available for current and future contingencies.

, , U.S. Army, U.S. Army Transformation and Training Command, III Armored Corps, Combined Arms Command

04/18/2026

On April 16, 2026 Command Sgt. Maj. Gary Kurtzhals was recognized with a Place in the Desert (PID) for his time spent with Operation Group as Cobra 11A, Dragon 40 and Outlaw 40.

GMFK’s Grit is the latest PID dedicated at the National Training Center/Fort Irwin.

“PID locations are chosen at the point where the leader had a significant impact to the RTU (Rotational Training Unit), the installation, and the Army as a whole.”

National Training Center/Fort Irwin, Fort Irwin, U.S. Army Transformation and Training Command