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Archive:Mountain Warfare Training Center

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? The Mountain Warfare Training Center (MWTC) is a United States Marine Corps installation located in Pickel Meadows near 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 1980s 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.

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
  • Ski Lift
  • Avalanche training site
  • Modern Range Operations Center
  • Unit/Combat Operations Center
  • MCCS, Post Exchange, SMP, Fitness Center and Rock Training/Climbing wall
  • Family Housing for Permanent personnel

MWTC School of Mountain Warfare

File:Snow MARPAT.jpg
Marines train at the MWTC

Formal Courses / Training Programs Offered

File:New Mountain Leader (summer and winter) Logo.jpg
USMC Mountain Leader (S/W) Logo
  • Mountain Operations Staff Planning Course
  • Mountain Leaders Course
  • 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)

File:Rough Terrain driving at altitude.jpg
ETTs conducting Rough Terrain Driving in Hawthorne May 2007
  • Mountain Warrior (revamped summer/winter package customized per METL)
    • Training for all USMC MAGTF elements/units for OEF

Mountain Warfare Instructor (MWI, AKA Red Hats) Training

MWI Level 1

  • IQC Graduate
  • Basic Instructor Skills Course (BISC)
  • SAT and ORM
  • Wilderness First Responder (CPR)

MWI Level 2

File:MWTC MWI Training.jpg
MWIs (aka Red Hats) conducting advanced winter mobility training in the Eastern Sierras (Evolution Loop) March 2005
  • 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

Portal United States Marine Corps portal


References

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