WHINSEC class learns the roots of U.S. Combat

FORT BENNING, Ga., (Nov. 6, 2013) -- The Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation Command and General Staff Officer Course class of 2013-2014 visited the Anniston Army Depot recently as part of the Field Studies Program.

The 62 CGSOC students spent a day learning the contributions of ANAD to meet operational requirements.

Students received briefings by plant managers on the installations' numerous capabilities, infrastructure and missions. They toured the Nicholas Industrial Complex, Anniston Ammunition Center and the Combat Vehicle Repair Facility, where M1A1/A2, PALADIN, M88A1/A2 and other combat vehicles, both wheeled and tracked, are completely overhauled.

The process consists of completely disassembling a damaged or worn vehicle, repairing or replacing any or all components and reassembling the vehicle to almost new condition for all Army components and the Marine Corps, at a significantly lower cost than a new vehicle.

At the Stryker vehicle facility, students observed a production line from the frame main body with no components to the combat ready vehicle at the test track. ANAD completes 15-20 vehicles per month.

During the visit to the small arms repair facility, students observed the testing of the M9 pistol. The tour also included a visit to the overhaul shops for the M2, M240, M249, M16A2 and MK19.

"ANAD has the primary small arms rebuild center for the Department of Defense," said Donald Evans, ANAD Directorate of Emergency Services.

The facility can provide complete overhaul for both individual and crew served weapons. ANAD also demilitarizes small arms, weapons systems components and other items.

Students also stopped at the turbine engine facility and powertrain flexible facilities.

"I'm impressed with the ANAD capabilities and the impact they have in the current fight," said Lt. Col. Abdiel Lezcano from Panama's Border Patrol. Lezcano is one of 17 partner nation field grade officers attending CGSOC, which represent eight different countries.

ANAD has been in existence since 1942 when it was used as a storage depot. The depot has been tasked with a wide range of missions during its operation, currently serving as a maintenance facility.

"Going there and getting a chance to see what goes on at the Nicholas Industrial Complex was a great experience for me." said Lt. Col. Milton Alvarado from the Costa Rican police.

"It's a great experience to visit this facility from the logistical point of view," said Maj. Sinuhe Tellez from the Mexican Army. "It allowed us to observe the strategic importance and the industrial capacity to manufacture and maintain combat vehicles and small weapons."

ANAD has 2,444 buildings, 431 miles of roadway, 103 miles of fencing and 38 miles of railroad with a plant replacement value of approximately $2.44 billion. The depot facility operates with an $880 million operating budget and $307 million in payroll.

The infrastructure is capable of repeated 70-ton combat vehicle traffic and has heavy lift capability within key facilities. ANAD has a live firing range capable of firing weapons up to 155 mm. ANAD is located on 15,246 acres in Calhoun County, Ala.

ANAD is the designated Center of Industrial and Technical Excellence for combat vehicles, artillery, bridging systems and small caliber weapons.

ANAD performs depot level maintenance on vehicles ranging in size from the Stryker to the 70-ton M1 Abrams tank and a variety of other types in between, such as the M113 family of tracked vehicles, the M88 recovery vehicle, and the M9 armored combat engineer vehicle. With approximately 4,200 total employees, its deployed network, and its strategic location, ANAD can provide worldwide support by air, road, and rail.

CGSOC educates and trains field grade officers to solve problems and lead organizations using mission command in a range of Army, joint, interagency, intergovernmental and multinational operations in complex and uncertain operational environments.

The CGSOC Class of 2013-2014 is composed of 62 field grade officers representing different branches of the U.S. Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines and eight partner nations: Canada, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico and Panama. The class, which began last July, will graduate next May.