Several organizations from Anniston Army Depot displayed their capabilities at Armed Forces Day on May 17 at Fort McClellan's Marshall Parade Field.
This special event, hosted by the Army National Guard Training Center, was open to the public and recognized all members of the Armed Forces.
A Stryker vehicle and a Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicle were on display in the center of the parade field where event-goers could climb inside and check out the high-tech equipment.
The Stryker is manufactured new by General Dynamics Land Systems, a defense contractor using facilities at the depot. Also at the depot, government workers are repairing Stryker vehicles coming back from the war.
As for the MRAP, onlookers saw what Soldiers and Marines in Iraq are using to protect themselves from roadside bombs. This particular MRAP was a Cougar, the six-wheeled MRAP variant produced by GDLS in Anniston.
Both the Stryker and MRAP were put on display by partners GDLS, ANAD and Defense Contract Management Agency.
The depot's Army Community Service staff put on a display as well, showcasing their services to area Soldiers, their Families and the surrounding community.
Tenant organizations Anniston Chemical Agency and Anniston Chemical Agent Disposal Facility set up a booth to exhibit a model of a chemical munitions disposal facility. Since operations began in August 2003, the facility has safely destroyed all of the GB nerve agent and munitions that had been stored in Anniston. Additionally, the ANCDF workforce has safely demilitarized 79 percent of Anniston's VX nerve agent-filled munitions. The last Anniston campaign will incinerate mortars, artillery shells and containers filled with mustard, or blister, agent. ANCDF is expected to wrap up disposal operations in 2012.
Though a section of the base is still maintained by the U.S. government for National Guard training, Fort McClellan was closed by the 1995 Base Realignment and Closure Commission. Much of its property and assets were sold to the City of Anniston.
Social Sharing