FORT IRWIN, Calif. — In the early hours of May 29, the spur-holders of the Regimental Support Squadron embarked on an epic escalade to the peak of Mt. Tiefort, the highest point at the National Training Center. Sixty-seven troopers arrived outside the squadron headquarters at 5 a.m. for transportation via LMTVs to the base of Mt. Tiefort. During the ride, troopers excitedly chatted and discussed work, life, the upcoming climb, and reminisced about how they earned their spurs.
The Mt. Tiefort hike is extremely challenging due to the steep climb, some of which is 80 percent gradient. Due to the rugged terrain, the spur-holders were split into groups of ten and each group was issued a Combat Life Saver (CLS) bag and a radio. Adrenaline rushed through the troopers at times and as they made their way around ledges and loose rocks. Sgt. Symone Abreu of Headquarters and Headquarters Troop (HHT) recounted stumbling and sliding back down the mountain before 1st Sgt. Stephanie Rodriguez of Maintenance Troop (MNT) grabbed her arm and helped her back along the trail.
Moments like that defined the very nature of the climb. Troopers came together across ranks and the organization to boost, pull, and at times drag each other to that mountain peak. Just like their spur-ride, it was a team event through and through. Finally, after more than four hours of climbing, the exhausted spur holders were greeted by an amazing view of the National Training Center and to the sight of other Soldiers grilling. Earlier that morning, a small group of Soldiers from Task Force Palehorse, led by Captain (CPT) Tyler Mouser, were transported to the summit of Mt. Tiefort by Uh-60 Blackhawks piloted by the Soldiers of the 2916th Aviation Battalion, in order to meet the hungry spur-holders with freshly cooked hotdogs and hamburgers.
The weary spur-holders quickly took up improvised seats around the summit to enjoy their meals, joke, and recount the day’s adventures to those around them. After their meal, the 2916th took the troopers for a breath-taking flight back to their helipad via UH-60’s. Capt. Mouser from Task Force Palehorse praised the 2916th and stated, “They were extremely supportive and the pilots were awesome! Everyone was taken off the mountain in just five rotations.” When the Soldiers arrived back at the point where their journey began, the Spurholders were exhausted and satisfied at what they had accomplished. Most importantly, they cannot wait for their next chance to get a top Tiefort again.
