I’m not sure about the motivation for Ft.Irwin vs the Colony/Mallers. The priority must surely be the base and Boulder. If neither is in imminent danger from the Colony/Mallers then there is plenty for everybody to get on with and the Colony/Mallers can be left to their own devices.

I am wondering whether the mission was one of recovery, possibly in relation to an antidote/immunity drug, perhaps certain constituent parts can only be obtained from a specific lab or perhaps from a specific part of a specific type of Zombie!!!!