ANNISTON ARMY DEPOT, Ala. -- Since fiscal year 2001, Anniston Army Depot has repaired or overhauled 953 U.S. Marine Corps M1 Abrams vehicles, according to the depot’s Directorate of Production Management.
This translated into approximately 6 million direct labor hours and more than $1 billion in revenue generated.
Currently, the artisans in the depot’s Nichols Industrial Complex are working on what may be the final Marine M1 tanks which roll through the installation’s shops.
The FY20 program, which involves the overhaul of approximately 30 M1 tanks to the Marine Corps variant, is scheduled to conclude in September.
A Marine Corps report, Force Design 2030, dated March of 2020, from Gen. David H. Berger, commandant of the Marine Corps, outlines the changes in the Marine Corps, which may cease their use of tanks.
The report calls for “Zero tank companies (divestment of entire capacity of 7 companies and prepositioned capacity)” by 2030.
It further states the “Heavy ground armor capability will continue to be provided by the U.S. Army.”
Currently, ANAD employees are hard at work ensuring the final tanks meet or exceed expectations.
“Anniston Army Depot has been exceeding customer requirements for the USMC, U.S. Army, National Guard, Reserve units and the foreign military sales community for over 75 years,” said David Henderson, a business management specialist for ANAD. “We will continue to support the war fighters in the future to the degree of excellence ANAD has built its reputation on.”
During the overhaul and repair processes, the Marine Corps tanks proceed through many of the same stages as tanks intended for the Army or foreign allies, with the differences coming in the specific equipment installed for each variant.
The final inspections take place at the depot’s test track, a 1.1 mile course.
“The vehicle has to make speed during the inspection and the engine must have a good health check throughout,” said Bobby Easterwood, a supervisor in the Final Operations Division.
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