Organic Industrial Base strategy key to strategic readiness

By Jacqueline BoucherNovember 10, 2021

Tobyhanna Army Depot was the first stop for members of the Army Materiel Command's Organic Industrial Base Modernization Task Force on their tour of Army's Organic Industrial Base facilities. The team was on the depot to discuss how Tobyhanna's approach to change aligns with the command's overarching OIB Modernization Strategy.
Tobyhanna Army Depot was the first stop for members of the Army Materiel Command's Organic Industrial Base Modernization Task Force on their tour of Army's Organic Industrial Base facilities. The team was on the depot to discuss how Tobyhanna's approach to change aligns with the command's overarching OIB Modernization Strategy. (Photo Credit: Thomas Robbins) VIEW ORIGINAL

TOBYHANNA ARMY DEPOT, Pa. — The decisions being made today will set the stage for the organic industrial base’s (OIB) ability to support strategic readiness both now and in the future, according the Army Materiel Command’s (AMC) top leader, Gen. Edward Daly.

Members of the AMC Organic Industrial Base Modernization Task Force met at the Tobyhanna Army Depot on Nov. 8 to discuss how the installation's approach to change aligns with the command’s overarching OIB Modernization Strategy. Tobyhanna was the first stop on the task force’s journey to visit the Army’s 23 OIB installations.

Daly recently unveiled a 15-year OIB modernization strategy with a four-phase approach to identify, evaluate, analyze and develop a plan to incorporate emerging technologies into the OIB. The goal is for installations to demonstrate a clear vision for modernization and be poised for divestiture of legacy systems as well as sustainment of enduring and future systems.

Officials are looking at the OIB in terms of age and infrastructure then asking what needs doing to bring all the facilities into the 21st century.

Commanding General U.S. Army Communications- Electronics Command (CECOM) Maj. Gen. Robert Edmonson, joined the in-person event virtually, and praised Tobyhanna for its effectiveness, ownership and delivery of capability across the network.

With a keen eye on the future, Tobyhanna has been modernizing to meet mission requirements for about 10 years. The task force intends to use the depot’s multi-million dollar investment strategy to illustrate how continued investments in Army modernization can benefit the warfighter.

“Tobyhanna has had incredible success modernizing its facilities to meet mission requirements,” said Liz Miranda, director of CECOM’s Integrated Logistics Support Center. “The installation is always at the forefront of identifying and posturing to support new and future capabilities.”

The Army’s OIB consists of depots, arsenals and ammunition plants, which manufactures and Resets Army equipment, generating readiness and operational capability throughout Army formations.

“To be relevant for the Army of 2035 and beyond the OIB must modernize now,” Daly said during a commander’s summit earlier this year. “So much of our facilities were built for World War II, when you walk through them you are seeing history. We cannot fix everything overnight, that is why we have developed a 15-year modernization plan and we need you to help us understand what is most critical. Think about what are your requirements to surge and what are your core competencies.”

AMCs commanding general also directed leaders to assess and execute the inclusion of new, 21st century technology that can improve conditions, efficiencies and effectiveness across facilities.

The 21st Century Organic Industrial Base must be capable of sustaining readiness, supporting modernization efforts and postured to meet wartime requirements, according to Marion Whicker, task force team lead, who led Monday’s meeting. The Army must modernize the OIB to successfully meet current Army demands, eliminate single points of failure, and identify supply chain risks, among other things, she explained.

Tobyhanna Army Depot is a recognized leader in providing world-class logistics support for command, control, communications, computers, cyber, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (C5ISR) systems across the Department of Defense. Tobyhanna’s Corporate Philosophy, dedicated work force and electronics expertise ensure the depot is the Joint C5ISR provider of choice for all branches of the Armed Forces and industry partners.

Tobyhanna’s unparalleled capabilities include full-spectrum logistics support for sustainment, overhaul and repair, fabrication and manufacturing, engineering design and development, systems integration, post production software support, technology insertion, modification, foreign military sales and global field support to our joint warfighters.

About 4,000 personnel are employed at Tobyhanna, which is located in the Pocono Mountains of northeastern Pennsylvania. Tobyhanna Army Depot is part of the U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Command. Headquartered at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, the command’s mission is to empower the Soldier with winning C5ISR capabilities.