[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 108 (Wednesday, July 6, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1041]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      IN HONOR OF THE 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ANNISTON ARMY DEPOT

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. MIKE ROGERS

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 6, 2016

  Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I ask for the House's attention 
to recognize the 75th Anniversary of the Anniston Army Depot in 
Anniston, Alabama. The Depot has a very rich history for its work in 
defense over the years. It continues to serve as an economic engine for 
Northeast Alabama.
  In March of 1940, the War Department began planning construction of 
the Depot and by early 1941, construction began. By September, the 
Depot's workforce was made up of four individuals, but by November of 
1942, the workforce number grew to over 4,300 individuals.
  In the 1950s, the Depot's mission was to overhaul and repair combat 
vehicles. By the 1960s, reconditioning for a number of vehicles began.
  In August of 1962, the Depot was renamed to its current name today, 
the Anniston Army Depot, and became an installation under the 
jurisdiction of the Army Materiel Command. By 1963, maintenance and 
storage of chemical munitions began.
  In the 1970s, new vehicle overhauls began as well as conversions of 
vehicles and in the 1980s, missile maintenance was added as a new 
mission.
  In August of 1992, the Depot's general supply mission was assumed by 
the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) and in 1993, the Depot became a 
forerunner in Public-Private Partnerships.
  In the mid-1990s, a chemical stockpile was transferred to the 
Anniston Chemical Activity under the Chemical and Biological Defense 
Command.
  In August of 2001, the Depot was designated as the Center of 
Industrial and Technical Excellence for Combat Vehicles, Artillery and 
Small Caliber Weapons by the Secretary of the Army. In 2002, the 
partnership with General Dynamics/General Motors on new production of 
Stryker vehicles began.
  In August of 2003, the Depot's stockpile of chemical munitions began 
to be safely and securely destroyed at the Anniston Chemical Disposal 
Facility. By December, the Depot and other TACOM installations 
fabricated Armor Survivability Kits for HMMWVs in support of Operation 
Iraqi Freedom.
  From 2004 through 2006, the fabrication sustainment for DOD M1 
systems culminated in the creation of the Joint Assault Bridge and 
Assault Breacher Vehicle programs and by early 2006, production on 
damaged Stryker vehicles began.
  In March of 2006, the Depot named the DoD Center of Industrial and 
Technical Excellence for ground combat vehicles (excluding the 
Bradley), assault bridging, artillery and small caliber weapons. In 
October, the Depot was named the U.S. Army's organic maintenance depot 
facility for the Stryker.
  By 2008, the first full-rate production Assault Breacher Vehicle was 
shipped to the U.S. Marines and in early 2009, production of the Army's 
Assault Breacher Vehicle began.
  In August of 2009, production operations began at the Powertrain 
Flexible Maintenance Facility for overhaul and repair work of 
reciprocating diesel engines began and by December, the Depot and 
General Dynamics Land Systems began a 50/50 partnership program to 
repair and reset Stryker vehicles.
  In March 2011, the new industrial wastewater treatment plant was 
completed and by May the first Stryker variant pilot overhaul program 
began for the Infantry Carrier Vehicle.
  In September 2001, the Anniston Chemical Activity completed 
demilitarization of chemical weapons along with the Anniston Chemical 
Agent Disposal Facility.
  In January 2012, production operations started in the Small Arms 
Repair Facility, collocated with DLA's small arms storage facility.
  In May of 2012, production operations began at the Powertrain 
Transmission Facility.
  In May of 2014, the Depot held an induction ceremony for low-rate 
initial production of the M109A7 family of vehicles in partnership with 
BAE Systems.
  By August, the Depot held a rollout ceremony for the Stryker Double V 
Hull Exchange Program in partnership with General Dynamics Land 
Systems. In September, the Depot was awarded the Army Award for 
Maintenance Excellence for accomplishments in ABV program.
  Currently, construction has begun on a solar array in collaboration 
with Alabama Power, the Office of Energy Initiatives, the General 
Services Administration, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Mission 
and Installation Contracting Command.
  Mr. Speaker, please join me in recognizing the Anniston Army Depot 
for the important work they do for our country and our warfighter and 
congratulate them on their 75th anniversary.

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