TACOM's CG visits Anniston Army Depot

ANNISTON ARMY DEPOT, Ala. - Maj. Gen. Kurt Stein, Commanding General, U.S. Army TACOM Life Cycle Management Command, spent the better part of two days visiting Anniston Army Depot and local community activities. This was his first visit to the installation since assuming command in January.

On May 24, Stein toured the depot's Career Academy (the cornerstone to the depot's revitalization program) and the five-acre combat vehicle disassembly and reassembly facility where mechanics and technicians apply Lean principles while overhauling combat vehicles, such as the M1A1 main battle tank, M9ACE and Paladin. Along the way, he witnessed the partnership with General Dynamics Land Systems in which depot employees and GDLS employees are paired on the work floor, assuming equal responsibility for repair of the Stryker vehicle. Stops also took him to the Powertrain Flexible Maintenance Facility, where employees in a green environment repair reciprocating engines.

Along the way, he stopped to acknowledge the work that employees were performing. "Thank you for your dedication and your service," he said as he distributed several commanding general coins of excellence. Later, he received an update briefing on the status of the new Small Arms Repair Facility, designed with more than 83,000 square feet of floor space to encompass weapons and component disassembly and reassembly areas and an indoor firing range for testing and accuracy firing operations. This facility is scheduled for completion in May 2011.

His final stop on day one concluded with an overview of the Logistics Modernization Program. The depot is scheduled to deploy LMP in October.

The next day's activities began with a tour of the former Fort McClellan, now home of the Army National Guard Training Center and Department of Homeland Security. The post officially closed in 1999 as a result of the Base Realignment and Closure Commission. The tour continued with stops at the depot's existing Small Army Repair Facility, Turbine Engine Facility, Honeywell Facility, and the Stryker production area.

The visit ended with an installation familiarization briefing presented by the depot commander, Col. S. B. Keller and various directors. Numerous topics were discussed, to include dialogue on the depot's external support to stateside and OCONUS areas.

Stein expressed his appreciation for everyone's continued support. He emphasized that our commitment is for continued support to our military forces here and worldwide.

"I have enjoyed the last few days here at Anniston," he said. I encourage you to continue working in support of the Soldier. The equipment you are providing is amazing. Your contributions aren't going unnoticed. As the father of a son who recently returned from theater, I am comfortable that he and his comrades have what they need to survive. Continue doing what you are doing."