Archive:Mountain Warfare Training Center
| Mountain Warfare Training Center, MWTC | |
|---|---|
| Bridgeport, California | |
 MWTC Insignia | |
| Type | Military base |
| Built | 1951 |
| In use | 1951–present |
The Mountain Warfare Training Center (MWTC) is a United States Marine Corps installation located in Bridgeport, California. The training center exists to train units in complex compartmented terrain.
Mission
The Marine Corps' Mountain Warfare Training Center, as a major subordinate element of Marine Air-Ground Task Force Training Command, and with support from Marine Corps Installations - West, conducts unit and individual training courses to prepare USMC, Joint, and Allied Forces for operations in mountainous, high altitude, and cold weather environments in support of the Regional Combatant Commanders. Additionally, MWTC provides support to Marine Corps Combat Development Command (MCCDC); Training and Education Command; Marine Corps Systems Command; and other USMC and Department of Defense (DOD) agencies engaged in the development of warfighting doctrine and specialized equipment for use in mountain and cold weather operations.
History
The Mountain Warfare Training Center (MWTC) is one of the Corps most remote and isolated posts. The Center was established in 1951 as the Cold Weather Battalion with a mission of providing cold weather training for replacement personnel bound for Korea. After the Korean War, in 1963, the school was renamed the "Mountain Warfare Training Center" due to its expanded role. During the 1980's the Training Centers focus was on training and preparing Marines and operational units for deployments on NATO's Northern flank, particularly Norway. Recently, with the Global War on Terrorism, the MWTC provides pre-deployment training in support of Operation Enduring Freedom—the war in Afghanistan.
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Operating Areas
MWTC is located in what's known as Pickel Meadows of the Sierra Nevada mountains south of Lake Tahoe on 46,000 acres of mountainous terrain with elevations from 6,700 ft – 11,000 ft. Other areas utilized by MWTC: Sweetwater Airstrip 6,835ft, Mt Shasta 14,179ft, the eastern slopes of the Sierra Nevada (U.S.) and Hawthorne Weapons and Ammo Depot HWAD for live fire exercises. Template:GR
MWTC Installation Capabilities
- Billeting facilities to support 1200+ training personnel
- Chowhall to support permanent and training personnel
- Naval Hospital Branch Clinic
- Fire Department/EMS ambulances
- Base Security Forces / PMO
- Classrooms and base theater
- 1200’ VSTOL-capable Expeditionary Airfield EAF
- Fleet of BV 206 restricted terrain vehicles
- Stables and pack animals
- Specialized technical mountaineering and ski equipment
- Small arms ranges
- Modern Range Operations Center
- Unit/Combat Operations Center
- MCCS, Post Exchange, SMP, Fitness Center and Rock Training/Climbing wall
MWTC School of Mountain Warfare
Formal Courses / Training Programs Offered
- Mountain Operations Staff Planning Course
- Mountain Leaders Courses
- Mountain Sniper Course
- Mountain and Cold Weather Medical Courses
- Mountain Survival Course
- Satellite Courses for Specialized elements of the MAGTF
- Tactical Rope Suspension Techniques (TRST) Course
- Assault Climber Course
- Scout Skier Course
- Animal Packing Course
- Communications package
- Engineer packages
- OSV / rough terrain driver training
- Custom tailored packages for Aviation units
- Mountain Warfare Instructor (MWI) Qualification Courses
Pre-Deployment Training Programs (PTP)
- Mountain Viper
- Training USMC Embedded Training Teams (ETTs) for OEF
- Mountain Warrior (revamped summer/winter package customized per METL)
- Training for all USMC MAGTF elements/units for OEF
Mountain Warfare Instructor (MWI) Training
MWI Level 1
- IQC Graduate
- Basic Instructor Skills Course (BISC)
- SAT and ORM
- Wilderness First Responder (CPR)
MWI Level 2
- 225 PFT unadjusted for age or altitude
- FSIC Graduate
- Assault Climber Certification or Military Skier Certification
- Completed AIARE Level 2 Avalanche Course
- Completed 20 hours of platform Instruction
- Recommendation from Course Chief Instructor/Team Leader.
MWI Level 3
- Completed AIARE Avalanche Level 3 Or Level 1 Instructor Course
- Qualify as either an Assault Climber Instructor (ACI) Pack Master or a Military Ski Instructor (MSI).
- Mentored two Level 1 MWIs to Level 2
- Led an ATC, WTC, or Expedition
- Completed 40 hours of platform Instruction
- Recommendation from Course Chief Instructor/Team Leader.
See also
- List of United States Marine Corps bases
- Army Mountain Warfare School
- Northern Warfare Training Center