CDEC Ft Hunter Liggett

• Origins in Vietnam: The Combat Development Experimentation Command (CDEC) traces its roots to the U.S. Army’s need to rapidly test and field new equipment and tactics during the Vietnam War era. • Establishment at Fort Ord: CDEC was first established at Fort Ord, California, in the mid-1960s before moving much of its field operations to Fort Hunter Liggett due to the vast training areas available there. • Massive Training Area: Fort Hunter Liggett, CDEC’s primary field site, is one of the largest Army Reserve posts in the United States, covering over 165,000 acres of varied terrain ideal for large-scale experiments. • Innovative Testing: CDEC was responsible for field-testing many now-standard military technologies and concepts, including early drones, body armor prototypes, and night vision equipment. • Hollywood Connections: The site’s dramatic hills and open spaces led to its occasional use as a filming location for military-themed movies and television shows, thanks to its authentic “battlefield” look. • OPFOR Pioneers: CDEC was an early innovator in the use of Opposing Force (OPFOR) units, simulating Soviet tactics and equipment to provide realistic adversaries during exercises. • Combined Arms Experiments: The unit conducted some of the Army’s first large-scale combined arms maneuver experiments, integrating infantry, armor, artillery, and aviation in realistic scenarios. • Project VOLAR: CDEC played a key role in Project VOLAR (Volunteer Army), testing new training and organizational methods as the Army transitioned to an all-volunteer force after the end of the draft. • Environmental Stewardship: Despite its military mission, Fort Hunter Liggett (and thus CDEC) became a leader in environmental conservation, protecting rare species and historic mission-era buildings on post. • Legacy and Influence: Although CDEC was eventually reorganized and its mission absorbed by other units, its legacy lives on in modern Army testing and doctrine development organizations, such as the U.S. Army’s TRADOC Analysis Center.