Branch: U.S. Army
Location: Fort Irwin, California
Installation Type: Fort
Status: Active

Overview

Fort Irwin is located in the Mojave Desert of San Bernardino County, California, approximately 37 miles northeast of Barstow and roughly 150 miles northeast of Los Angeles. Established as a training area during World War II, it was reactivated in 1981 as the permanent home of the National Training Center (NTC). Fort Irwin and the NTC are the Army’s premier combat training center, providing realistic large-scale force-on-force training for brigade combat teams and other units across all components of the U.S. military.

Mission & Units

• Primary Mission: Provide the most realistic joint and combined arms training environment in the world through the National Training Center, preparing brigade combat teams and other units for combat operations.
• Major Units: National Training Center (NTC) and Fort Irwin; 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment (“Black Horse Regiment”) — the dedicated opposing force (OPFOR)
• Tenant Units: Operations Group (OPFOR controllers and observer/coach/trainers); Joint Multinational Readiness Center-aligned training support; various rotating training units (RTUs) from across the Army

Location & Access

• Nearest Major City: Barstow, CA — approximately 37 miles southwest; San Bernardino — approximately 100 miles southwest; Los Angeles — approximately 150 miles southwest
• Nearest Commercial Airport: Southern California Logistics Airport (VCV) in Victorville — approximately 75 miles south; Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) — approximately 150 miles southwest; Ontario International Airport (ONT) — approximately 110 miles south
• Gate Access: Fort Irwin has a single primary access point off of Fort Irwin Road. Valid CAC, military ID, or visitor pass required. Visitors must have a sponsor and obtain a visitor pass at the Visitor Control Center. The remote desert location means access control is straightforward but the drive from any major city is significant.

Population

• Active Duty Personnel: Approximately 7,000-9,000 (including permanent party and rotating training units)
• Family Members: Approximately 9,000-12,000
• Civilian Employees: Approximately 4,000-6,000
• Total Installation Population: Approximately 20,000-25,000 (fluctuates with training rotations)

Key Facilities

• Medical: Weed Army Community Hospital — a full Army community hospital providing inpatient and outpatient care, emergency services, obstetrics, surgery, behavioral health, dental, and pharmacy; one of the more capable Army medical facilities relative to installation size due to the remote location
• Commissary: Yes — full-service commissary; critically important given the remote location and limited civilian shopping in the Barstow area
• Exchange (PX/BX/NEX): Yes — full Army & Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) main store with food court and retail; also serves the large rotating training unit population
• Fitness & Recreation: Multiple fitness centers; outdoor and indoor pools; golf course (Tiefort Mountain Golf Course); movie theater; bowling alley; outdoor recreation with desert hiking and off-road vehicle areas; youth sports programs
• Schools: DoDEA schools on post — Irwin Elementary, Stone Middle School; high school students attend Barstow High School off post (approximately 37 miles away) or utilize online/distance learning options; school bus transportation provided
• Childcare: Child Development Center on post; School Age Services available; waitlists are very common due to the remote location and limited off-post childcare options; enroll as early as possible
• Veterinary Services: Fort Irwin Veterinary Treatment Facility — provides wellness exams, vaccinations, and preventive care for privately owned pets; appointments required; critically important given limited civilian veterinary access in the immediate area
• Legal Assistance / JAG: Office of the Staff Judge Advocate, Fort Irwin — legal assistance by appointment; walk-in powers of attorney available; serves all military personnel and families on post

Housing

• On-Post Housing: Managed by Lendlease (formerly Actus Lonestar); extensive on-post housing is critical given the remote location; includes a range of single-family and multi-family units; condition varies by neighborhood but improvements ongoing
• Average Wait Time: On-post housing is highly preferred at this remote installation; wait times can range from weeks to several months depending on grade and family size
• Off-Post Housing: Barstow, CA (approximately 37 miles away) offers limited and affordable housing options. Average rent in Barstow ranges from approximately $900-$1,500/month. The long commute and desert location make off-post living less desirable for many families. Victorville and Apple Valley offer more options at greater distances.
• BAH Rate Reference: Check current BAH rates at the Defense Travel Management Office (DTMO) website.

PCS & Newcomer Info

• Sponsorship Program: Request sponsor through gaining unit S1; the 11th ACR and permanent party units maintain active sponsorship programs; strong encouraged given the remote and austere assignment.
• In-Processing: Report to the Soldier Support Center on first available duty day. In-processing covers medical, finance, housing, and unit reporting; typically 3-5 duty days. Newcomer orientation covers desert safety, local resources, and area-specific information.
• EFMP (Exceptional Family Member Program): Army Community Service EFMP office on post; Weed Army Community Hospital supports many special needs services; for complex needs, coordination with off-post providers in Barstow or San Bernardino is necessary; enroll and begin coordination well before PCS move.

Local Area & Quality of Life

• Climate: Hot desert (Mojave Desert) climate. Summers are extremely hot with temperatures regularly exceeding 110°F. Winters are mild during the day but can drop below freezing at night. Low humidity year-round; minimal rainfall.
• Cost of Living: Low to moderate — the Barstow area and the installation itself have a low cost of living for California; however, the remote location means fewer consumer choices and higher prices for some goods.
• Nearby Attractions: Calico Ghost Town (historic silver mining town) — approximately 15 miles from Barstow; Mojave National Preserve — accessible for hiking, camping, and off-road adventures; Joshua Tree National Park — approximately 100 miles south; Las Vegas, NV — approximately 180 miles northeast.
• Spouse Employment: Very limited local employment due to the remote desert location. On-post employment (AAFES, Weed ACH, schools, childcare, MWR) is the primary option. Remote and telework positions are increasingly important for Fort Irwin spouses.

Contact & Resources

• Official Website: https://home.army.mil/irwin/
• Main Installation Phone: (760) 380-3000
• MWR Website: https://fortirwin.armymwr.com/
• ACS / Fleet & Family / Airman & Family Readiness: Army Community Service (ACS), Fort Irwin — (760) 380-6633; located in the Family and MWR complex on post

Last updated: 2026-02-22
Sources: U.S. Army Installation Management Command (home.army.mil/irwin), National Training Center Public Affairs, Army Community Service Fort Irwin, Weed Army Community Hospital; Joseph L. Jordan, Attorney at Law