International network visits depot, gains knowledge of operations

By Ms. Clester Burdell (AMC)August 8, 2008

International network visits depot, gains knowledge of operations
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

Al Jazeera English news satellite network visited Anniston Army Depot July 24 to learn more about the critical role the installation has in repairing and overhauling Army equipment for our men and women in uniform.

From the Washington, D.C. headquarters office, correspondent Josh Rushing, along with film crew members Jean Garner, producer; Jack Rayzor, photographer; and William Williams, audio engineer, spent a large majority of the day obtaining B-roll footage of the depot's unique mission in the Nichols Industrial Complex. The itinerary included tours of the disassembly and reassembly of the M1A1 main battle tank, turbine engine facility, automated storage and retrieval systems, and the Career Academy, where the area's most dedicated youth are offered career opportunities for the depot's core skills - machining, welding, diesel mechanics, hydraulics, and electronics.

In addition, Rushing interviewed Col. S. B. Keller, depot commander, and two depot employees hired under the Army Materiel Command's Always a Soldier program. Other topics of interest included partnerships, economic impact, community relations, revitalization plans, and future military infrastructure.

When Keller was asked if the co-op program was the gateway to the future, she replied, "our nation's national security is at stake and with this program, we'll continue to maintain the mission, for generations to come."

Earlier in the week, AJE profiled the local community interviewing and obtaining footage of members of a high school ROTC, a youth baseball team, county commissioners, and other residents. Additionally, they interviewed Maj. Cindy Bacchus with regards to National Guard activities at McClellan.

AJE's filming, a series of reports looking at different aspects of military support and the impact it has on a community, is expected to air in December. At that time, the depot will obtain a copy for showing on its local area network, or LAN channel.

The depot's public affairs team, along TACOM's public affairs officer Eric Emerton, assisted with this visit.