Jake Gyllenhaal, Dar Salim Visit Fort Irwin for Advance Screening of ‘Guy Ritchie’s The Covenant’

In collaboration with MGM Studios and the USO, Fort Irwin Exchange played host to Jake Gyllenhaal and Dar Salim, stars of the film “Guy Ritchie’s The Covenant” on April 14.

Gyllenhaal and Salim spent time with Soldiers, families and the Exchange team before introducing the film to a capacity audience of 420 for a free advance screening a week before the nationwide theatrical release.

“This was a fabulous event for our Soldiers and their families,” said Fort Irwin Exchange General Manager Ladda Thomas. “We were thrilled to host Jake and Dar, and we thank the USO and the Exchange for all of their work to bring this special screening to our community.”

Dar Salim and Jake Gyllenhaal greet the audience at a free screening of “Guy Ritchie’s The Covenant” at Fort Irwin. From left: Fort Irwin General Manager Ladda Thomas; unidentified person taking photo; Food Court Manager Mercedes Garcia, Exchange Motion Picture Program Planner Nalan Howard, Garrison Command Sgt. Maj. David D. Palmer, Dar Salim, Jake Gyllenhaal and Garrison Commander Col. Jason A. Clarke.

Located in San Bernadino County, Calif., approximately halfway between Los Angeles and Las Vegas, Fort Irwin is home to the U.S. Army Forces Command’s (FORSCOM) National Training Center (NTC).

One of the Army’s more remote installations, it lies entirely within the Mojave Desert—35 miles from the nearest town and 170 miles from the nearest major airport.

The pair arrived by Black Hawk helicopter from Los Angeles, met with NTC command and received a tour of training center facilities before the film screening.

“Talent appearances in our Exchange Reel Time Theaters are few and far between,” said Nalan Howard, the Exchange’s motion picture program manager. “Working with the studios and hosting events for our service members is the best part of our jobs. Nothing compares to the smiles and the fun our Soldiers have when they meet stars like Jake and Dar.”

“Guy Ritchie’s The Covenant” follows U.S. Army Sgt. John Kinley (Gyllenhaal) and Afghan interpreter Ahmed (Salim). After an ambush, Ahmed goes to Herculean lengths to save Kinley’s life. When Kinley learns that Ahmed and his family were not given safe passage to America as promised, he must repay his debt by returning to the war zone to retrieve them before the Taliban hunts them down first.

Fort Irwin was one of 11 installations that offered the special showing—the 383rd advance free screening of a major motion picture by the Exchange and fourth in 2023.