Mountain Warfare Training Center
Encyclopedia
The Mountain Warfare Training Center (MWTC) is a United States Marine Corps
installation located in Pickel Meadows on California State Route 108
in the Toiyabe National Forest, 21 miles northwest of Bridgeport, California
. The training center exists to train units in complex compartmented terrain.
, 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.MWTC Command and Staff "A Training Complex for Complex Terrain"
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 Command and Staff "A Training Complex for Complex Terrain"
MWTC is located in what's known as Pickel Meadows of the Sierra Nevada mountains south of Lake Tahoe on 46000 acres (186.2 km²) of mountainous terrain with elevations from 6700 ft (2,042.2 m) – 11,000 ft. Other areas utilized by MWTC: Sweetwater Airstrip 6835 ft (2,083.3 m), Mt Shasta 14179 ft (4,321.8 m), the eastern slopes of the Sierra Nevada (U.S.) and Hawthorne Army Depot
for live fire exercises. 38°21′24"N 119°30′59"WMWTC Command and Staff "A Training Complex for Complex Terrain"
United States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
installation located in Pickel Meadows on California State Route 108
California State Route 108
State Route 108, also known as Highway 108, is a numbered state highway in California. SR 108 runs generally northeast across central California from downtown Modesto near the SR 99/SR 132 interchange, crossing the Sierra Nevada at Sonora Pass, to U.S. Route 395 near the Nevada state line...
in the Toiyabe National Forest, 21 miles northwest of Bridgeport, California
Bridgeport, California
Bridgeport is a census-designated place that is the county seat of Mono County, California. It lies at an elevation of 6463 feet in the middle of the Bridgeport Valley. Bridgeport is located at the intersection of highways US 395 and State Route 182. The population was 575 at the 2010...
. 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 - WestMarine Corps Installations West
Marine Corps Installations West is the regional authority tasked with providing support and oversight of seven United States Marine Corps installations on the West Coast. The purpose behind MCI WEST is to ensure warfighters receive a level of support that exceeds expectations while at the same...
, 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
Marine Corps Combat Development Command
Marine Corps Combat Development Command, located in at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia, has the mission of developing Marine Corps warfighting abilities to enable the Corps to field combat-ready forces...
(MCCDC); Training and Education Command
Marine Corps Training and Education Command
The Marine Corps Training and Education Command, or TECOM, is responsible for the training and educational operations of the United States Marine Corps. The current commanding general of TECOM is Major General Melvin G...
; Marine Corps Systems Command
Marine Corps Systems Command
Marine Corps Systems Command is located at MCB Quantico.-Mission:Serve as the Commandant's principal agent for acquisition and sustainment of systems and equipment used by the operating forces to accomplish their warfighting mission....
; and other USMC and Department of Defense
United States Department of Defense
The United States Department of Defense is the U.S...
(DOD) agencies engaged in the development of warfighting doctrine and specialized equipment for use in mountain and cold weather operations.MWTC Command and Staff "A Training Complex for Complex Terrain"
History
Korea
Korea ) is an East Asian geographic region that is currently divided into two separate sovereign states — North Korea and South Korea. Located on the Korean Peninsula, Korea is bordered by the People's Republic of China to the northwest, Russia to the northeast, and is separated from Japan to the...
. After the Korean War
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
, 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
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
. Recently, with the Global War on Terrorism
War on Terrorism
The War on Terror is a term commonly applied to an international military campaign led by the United States and the United Kingdom with the support of other North Atlantic Treaty Organisation as well as non-NATO countries...
, the MWTC provides pre-deployment training in support of Operation Enduring Freedom—the war in Afghanistan
War in Afghanistan (2001–present)
The War in Afghanistan began on October 7, 2001, as the armed forces of the United States of America, the United Kingdom, Australia, and the Afghan United Front launched Operation Enduring Freedom...
. MWTC Command and Staff "A Training Complex for Complex Terrain"
Operating Areas
Hawthorne Army Depot
Hawthorne Army Depot is a U.S. Army ammunition storage site located near the town of Hawthorne in western Nevada in the United States. It is directly south of Walker Lake. The depot covers and has storage space in 2,427 bunkers...
for live fire exercises. 38°21′24"N 119°30′59"WMWTC Command and Staff "A Training Complex for Complex Terrain"
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 Bandvagn 206Bandvagn 206Bandvagn 206 is a tracked articulated, all-terrain carrier developed by Hägglunds for the Swedish Army. It consists of two units, with all four tracks powered...
- Stables and pack animalPack animalA pack animal or beast of burden is a working animal used by humans as means of transporting materials by attaching them so their weight bears on the animal's back; the term may be applied to either an individual animal or a species so employed...
s - Specialized technical mountaineering and ski equipment
- Modern Range Operations Center
- Multiple small arms ranges
- Multiple rock climbing training areas
- Multiple stream crossing sites
- Ski Lift
- Avalanche training site
- Unit/Combat Operations Center
- MCCS, Post Exchange, Single Marine Program, Fitness Center and Rock Training/Climbing wall
- The Pickel Post, Base Newsletter
- Family Housing for Permanent personnel
- Click for TOPO Map
MWTC School of Mountain Warfare
Formal Courses / Training Programs Offered
- Mountain Operations Staff Planning Course
- Summer and Winter Mountain Leader Courses
- Techniques (TRST) Course
- Assault Climber Course
- Scout Skier Course
- OSV (Over the Snow Vehicle) / rough terrain driver training
- Custom tailored packages for Aviation units
- Mountain Warfare Instructor Qualification Courses
Pre-Deployment Training Programs (PTP)
- Mountain Exercise (MTNEX) (revamped summer/winter package customized per METL)
- Training for all USMC MAGTF elements/units for OEFOEFOEF may refer to:*Operation Enduring Freedom*Operational efficiency factor*Order of Ecumenical Franciscans*Obscene Extreme Festival...
- Training for all USMC MAGTF elements/units for OEF
MWI (Mountain Warfare Instructor, AKA Red Hats) TrainingAcademic Training Center Order, Dated June 2010
Basic MWI
- MLC or IQC (Instructor Qualification Course) Graduate, Seasonal
- BIC (Basic Instructor Course)
- SAT (Systems Approach to Training) and ORM (Operational Risk Management) Online Courses
- ORM (Operational Risk Management)
- RSO (Range Safety Officer)
- 225 score on the [United States Marine Corps Physical Fitness Test] (PFT) unadjusted for age or altitude
- Recommendation from Course Chief
Senior MWI
- Summer and Winter Mountain Leader Course (or IQC)
- Completed AIARE Level 1 Avalanche Course
- Qualify as a BSI (Basic Ski Instructor)
- Complete Snow II Clinic
- Complete Rock II Clinic
- Complete Alpine II Clinic
- Certified as a Wilderness First Responder or higher
- Completed 20 hours of platform Instruction
- Recommendation from OIC.
Master MWI
- Completed AIARE Avalanche Level 2 Or Level 1 Instructor Course
- Qualify as a MSI (Military Ski Instructor).
- Complete Snow III Clinic
- Complete Rock III Clinic
- Complete Alpine III Clinic
- Completed 40 hours of platform Instruction
- Recommendation from OIC.
See also
- List of United States Marine Corps bases
- Ski warfareSki warfareSki warfare, the use of ski-equipped troops in war, is first recorded by the Danish historian Saxo Grammaticus in the 13th century. The speed and distance that ski troops are able to cover is comparable to that of light cavalry.-History:...
- Winter warfare
- Mountain warfareMountain warfareMountain warfare refers to warfare in the mountains or similarly rough terrain. This type of warfare is also called Alpine warfare, named after the Alps mountains...
- Mountain LeaderMountain LeaderA Mountain Leader is a military professional specialising in delivering training for, or leading, operations in high altitude or extremely low temperature environments.-Mountain Leader :...
- Army Mountain Warfare School USA
- Northern Warfare Training CenterNorthern Warfare Training CenterThe Northern Warfare Training Center is a United States Army Alaska installation located in Black Rapids, Alaska. It is the Army's only Cold Region Training Proponent....
USA - Mountain Leader Training CadreMountain Leader Training CadreThe Mountain Leader Training Cadre is a training element of the British Royal Marines which provides instruction in Mountain Warfare, Arctic warfare, cold weather survival and operations, and cliff assault...
UK - Nepal Army High Altitude and Mountain Warfare School, MustangNepal ArmyThe Nepalese Army is the army of Nepal and a major component of the Military of Nepal. The NA includes the Nepalese Army Air Service and is considered to be superior to Nepalese Police Force. Service is voluntary and the minimum age for enrollment is 18 years...
- High Altitude Warfare School (HAWS) in Sonamarg
- Russian Hatsavita Mountain Warfare TrainingRussian Hatsavita Mountain Warfare TrainingThe Hatsavita Mountain Training Center is a Ministry of Internal Affairs training facility located in Labinsk, Krasnodar Krai, southern Russia...
RussiaRussiaRussia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects... - French Chasseurs Alpins
- Italian AlpiniAlpiniThe Alpini, , are the elite mountain warfare soldiers of the Italian Army. They are currently organized in two operational brigades, which are subordinated to the Alpini Corps Command. The singular is Alpino ....
- German GebirgsjägerGebirgsjägerGebirgsjäger, in English Mountain Riflemen, is the German designation for mountain infantry. The word Jäger is the traditional German term for rifleman...
- Polish Podhale riflesPodhale riflesPodhale Rifles is the traditional name of the mountain infantry units of the Polish Army. Formed in 1918 out of volunteers of the region of Podhale, in 1919 the smaller detachments of Podhale Rifles were pressed into two mountain infantry divisions, the 21st Mountain Infantry and 22nd Mountain...
- Romanian Vânători de MunteVânatori de MunteThe vânători de munte |Huntsmen]]) are the elite mountain troops of the Romanian Land Forces. They were first established as an independent Army Corps in 1916 during World War I, and became operational in 1917 under Corpul de Munte designation....
External links
- MWTC's official website
- A Training Complex for Complex Terrain
- Installation Overview
- Info on the installation
- MWTC facebook Page
- Small Wars Journal - Mountain Warfare - The need for specialized training, Sept 2004, Major Muhammad Asim Malik, Pakistan Army
- Our Troops in Afghanistan Need Mountain Warfare Training
- Understanding Mountain Warfare Training, October 2005, Michael S. Woodson
- Alpinist, A Short March to the Hindu Kush, Posted on: November 27, 2006, Ed Darack
- Mountain Viper Article Feb 2008, Cpl. Michael S. Cifuentes, USMC
- Proceedings, An Entirely Different Battlefield, Oct 2008 , Ed Darack
- Training for Mountain and Winter Warfare, 1946, Capt. Thomas P. Govan USA
- Mountain Warfare in the Past and Present, 1857, Frederick Engels
- FM 3-97.61, Military Mountaineering
- FM 3-97.6, Mountain Operations
- FM 31-70, Cold Weather Manual
- FM 9-207/TO 36-1-40, Operations and Maintenance of Ordnance Materiel in Cold Weather
- Soviet invasion of Finland