In august 1961 camp irwin, a training area located in the mojave desert in san bernardino county, california, is designated a permanent installation and renamed fort irwin. during the vietnam buildup, many artillery and engineer units were trained and deployed from fort irwin, the army's premier training center. our 08/61 army issue sneaker is inspired by the all-purpose sporting footwear issued to and worn on base by soldiers in the 1960s.