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Borrego Springs Local • July 9, 2023

U.S Military Training in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park and Borrego Springs

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Anza-Borrego Desert State Park and Borrego Springs, California have a long history of serving as a training ground for the U.S. military. The rugged terrain and harsh desert conditions of the area provide unique challenges and benefits for military training. In this blog post, we’ll take a look at the history and current state of military training in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park and Borrego Springs.

History of Military Training in the Area

Anza-Borrego Desert State Park and Borrego Springs have a long history of serving as a training ground for the U.S. military, dating back to the 1940s. During World War II, the U.S. Army used the area to train soldiers for desert warfare, as the harsh desert conditions and rugged terrain were similar to those found in the North Africa and Middle East theaters of war. The training that soldiers received at Anza-Borrego Desert State Park and Borrego Springs helped to prepare them for the challenging conditions that they would face in battle.

In addition to the U.S. Army, the U.S. Marine Corps, the U.S. Navy, and the U.S. Air Force have also used the area for training. The U.S. Marine Corps has used Anza-Borrego Desert State Park and Borrego Springs for training exercises such as combat marksmanship, desert survival, and reconnaissance training. The U.S. Navy has also used the area for training, specifically for training SEAL (Sea, Air, Land) teams. The U.S. Air Force has also used the area for training exercises such as training in desert survival and combat search and rescue.

Over the years, the U.S. military has conducted a wide range of training activities at Anza-Borrego Desert State Park and Borrego Springs, from basic training to advanced special operations training. The area’s rugged terrain, extreme temperatures, and remote location make it an ideal location for military training, and it continues to be used by various branches of the U.S. military to this day.

Current State of Military Training in the Area

Currently, Anza-Borrego Desert State Park and Borrego Springs continue to be used for military training by various branches of the U.S. military.

The U.S. Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Training Center, located in Bridgeport, California, which is a few hours away from Anza-Borrego Desert State Park and Borrego Springs, uses the area extensively for various types of training exercises. The rugged terrain and harsh desert conditions of the area provide an ideal environment for training in mountain and desert warfare. The Marines conduct live-fire exercises, as well as training in navigation, survival, and reconnaissance in the area. This training is essential for preparing Marines for deployments in desert and mountainous regions around the world.

The U.S. Army also uses Anza-Borrego Desert State Park and Borrego Springs for various types of training exercises. The Army conducts maneuvers and survival training in the area. The harsh desert conditions provide an ideal environment for training soldiers in desert warfare and survival techniques. This training is essential for preparing soldiers for deployments in desert regions around the world.

The U.S. Air Force also uses Anza-Borrego Desert State Park and Borrego Springs for training exercises. The Air Force conducts search and rescue and air-to-ground training in the area. The vast and remote desert terrain provides an ideal environment for training aircrews in search and rescue operations and air-to-ground attacks. The training is essential for preparing aircrews for deployments in desert regions around the world.

Anza-Borrego Desert State Park and Borrego Springs continue to be an important training ground for the U.S. military. The area’s rugged terrain and harsh desert conditions provide an ideal environment for training in mountain and desert warfare, navigation, survival, reconnaissance, search and rescue, and air-to-ground attacks. This training is essential for preparing soldiers, Marines, and aircrews for deployments in desert and mountainous regions around the world.

Challenges and Benefits of Military Training in the Area

Anza-Borrego Desert State Park and Borrego Springs are located in Southern California, and the area is known for its rugged terrain, hot temperatures, and dry climate. These conditions make it an ideal location for military training exercises. The rough terrain provides a challenging environment for soldiers to navigate, which helps to prepare them for the rigors of desert warfare. The extreme heat also simulates the conditions that soldiers may encounter in desert environments, making it easier for them to acclimate to the harsh conditions.

The remote location of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park and Borrego Springs also provides a secure and secluded training ground for military units. The area is far from populated areas, which allows for live-fire exercises and other training activities to take place without interruption. This is important for the military, as it allows them to conduct realistic training scenarios without the risk of civilian casualties or damage to private property.

Overall, the rugged terrain and harsh desert conditions of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park and Borrego Springs offer unique challenges and benefits for military training. The area’s challenging environment and remote location provide soldiers with an ideal place to prepare for desert warfare and other operations in harsh environments.

Conclusion:

Anza-Borrego Desert State Park and Borrego Springs, California have a long history of serving as a training ground for the U.S. military. The area’s rugged terrain and harsh desert conditions provide unique challenges and benefits for military training. The U.S. Army, Marine Corps, Navy and Airforce continue to use the area for training exercises, preparing soldiers for the rigors of desert warfare. The area’s remote location also provides a secure and secluded training ground for live-fire exercises and other training activities without interruption.

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This particular Scout Car, USA-W1162547, was used by General Patton's Third Army in the Anza-Borrego desert while training for the invasion of North Africa in 1943.
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Borrego Springs, once a bustling hub of military activity, now rests in serene quietude, a stark contrast to its past.
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Borrego’s Military Echoes Borrego Springs is renowned for its serene deserts and pristine night skies, but beneath its tranquil surface lies a military past rooted deeply in the sands of time. The Borrego Hotel, once an Emergency Landing Field and Bombing Range during World War II, stands as a testament to the area’s contribution to the nation’s wartime readiness. Borrego’s Wartime Role In 1941, as global conflicts escalated, the U.S. Navy selected the remote desert of Borrego Springs for military preparedness. The Borrego Hotel was transformed into a strategic site where pilots practiced vital skills such as high-altitude bombing and emergency procedures essential for combat. The facility included a 250-foot by 2600-foot dirt runway and a distinctive bombing target marked by concentric circles, making it a significant training hub for the San Diego Naval Air Station. The AT-11 Kansan was the typical aircraft used for bomb target practice. Military Legacy and Community Safeguarding Post-war, the site continued under Navy use until 1955, after which it was returned to private hands. Today, the land is primarily recreational, but the imprints of history remain. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has been involved in the environmental restoration of this Formerly Used Defense Site (FUDS), ensuring that the land, once a cradle of wartime activity, is now safe for public enjoyment. Their efforts included detailed investigations to identify and mitigate any residual hazards, confirming the area’s use for military training with findings of practice bombs and munitions debris. Echoes of History in Modern Tranquility The shift from a training ground to tranquil desert is profound. Where pilots once honed their wartime skills, visitors now experience peace and quietude. The Borrego Hotel’s legacy, intertwined with environmental restoration endeavors, continues to shape the region’s identity, bridging its historical military importance with its present-day role as a sanctuary for nature and relaxation. Voices from the Past: Borrego Springs’ Military Heritage Borrego Springs’ military heritage is preserved not only in historical documents but also in the memories and accounts of those who lived and served in the area. Interviews with local residents and military personnel offer a personal glimpse into the past, bringing to life the stories not captured in written records alone. Sgt. Grayson’s Insights : SGT Grayson of the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department Arson/Explosives Unit shared that he had no knowledge of ordnance activity at the Borrego Hotel site, extending his insights to the broader region of Anza Borrego State Park. Fire Department’s Perspective : Investigator Steve Sawyer of the Borrego Springs Fire Department Arson/Bomb Unit also had no recollection of ordnance presence at the former Borrego Hotel Site. Local Law Enforcement Observations : Deputies Hahn and McKenna confirmed no awareness of a target area or ordnance presence at the site, acknowledging other range activities within the Anza Borrego Desert State Park. Lifelong Residents’ Accounts : Nancy Ellis and David Ragsdill shared their lack of awareness of military activity at the Borrego Hotel site but knew of other military sites in the area. Legacy in the Land : Florence Leedy provided an account of a concentric circle bombing target on her property. Park Rangers’ Confirmation : Park Rangers like Fred Jee, Mark Jorgensen, and Jim Meiers acknowledged no knowledge of ordnance at the Borrego Hotel site but were familiar with evidence of past military activity within the area. Borrego Hotel: A Timeline of Transformation Pre-1941 : The area where Camp Ensign would be built was originally Ensign Ranch date palm orchards. 1941 : Opening of the Borrego Hotel Target Area for high-altitude bombing, dive-bombing, and strafing. 1942 : Establishment of the Borrego Valley Maneuver Area by the US Army as an Anti-Aircraft Training Center, also used by the Marine Corps. Construction of bombing stations, strafing stations, rocket targets, and anti-aircraft artillery for training. 1943 : US Marines construct Camp Ensign for military truck driving training at night. Ensign Ranch Airfield is built just south of Camp Ensign. 1944 : Closure of the Borrego Valley Maneuver Area in August. 1955 : Closure of the Borrego Hotel Target Area and Naval Outlying Landing Field. 1956 : Sale of the land of the Borrego Hotel Target Area and Naval Outlying Landing Field. Present : The region is known for recreational use and desert serenity, with environmental restoration efforts by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in the 1990s-2010s. Today, it is celebrated for its natural beauty and quietude, with historical significance commemorated by the community. These interviews and historical insights underscore the layered history of Borrego Springs, where the military past intersects with civilian life, creating a rich tapestry of heritage and tranquility. Check out this military report for more details. 
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F-35B Fighter Jet Crash in Ocotillo Wells SVRA On July 29, 2021, a U.S. Marine Corps F-35B fighter jet crashed in Ocotillo Wells SVRA near Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, California . The crash caused a small brush fire and led to the temporary evacuation of campers in the area as a precautionary measure. Fortunately, the pilot was able to eject safely and was rescued by a search and rescue team, later being released from the hospital after evaluation. The aircraft was part of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing based at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar and was on a routine training mission when the crash occurred. The incident involved the F-35B making contact with a KC-130J tanker during an air-to-air refueling exercise, which led to the crash. The U.S. Marine Corps launched a safety investigation to determine the exact cause of the crash. Though the brush fire caused by the crash was quickly contained, the crash site was closed for some time before reopening to the public.
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