MARINE CORPS LOGISTICS BASE ALBANY, Ga. -- In a landmark ceremony, Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany, the Georgia Army National Guard and local officials, gathered to celebrate the co-location of the Georgia Army National Guard Armory at the base during a ribbon-cutting ceremony, here, Oct. 5.
The armory includes soldiers of the 2nd Battalion, 121st Infantry Regiment, 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, and the Recruiting and Retention Battalion from the Georgia Army National Guard. Both units now have new facilities to conduct their daily operations and training.
Army Col. Randall V. Simmons Jr., commander, Georgia Army National Guard, said he hopes to continue to have a strong relationship with Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany, the state of Georgia, Dougherty County and the City of Albany.
“The Georgia National Guard has had a presence in Albany for decades,” Simmons said. “From the 1800s to the Global War on Terror, Albany has served as a gracious host for our guardsmen and a mutually beneficial partnership. This project is another example of commitment of the citizens of Albany and Dougherty County to that relationship.”
According to Simmons, after years of discussion and on-again and off-again planning, the project became a priority in 2016 with funding from the state, county and city governments.
In a very short period of time, a date for ground-breaking was set and construction began, he added.
“The Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany personnel and staff worked with our construction facilities and maintenance office to identify this space and they removed obstacle after obstacle to make this day a reality,” Simmons noted. “The local and state governments quickly made significant financial contributions and these actions demonstrated to us that this project was a priority.
“We are thankful for the corporation of so many making this project a possibility and look forward to continue to being a vital member of the Albany community and partner with the Marine Corps Logistics Base,” he concluded.
Marine Col. James C. Carroll III, commanding officer, MCLB Albany, spoke on behalf of the Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany team.
“We welcome the Georgia Army National Guard to the installation,” Carroll said. “We look forward to providing all the facilities, infrastructure and critical support services required to enhance their overall mission and unit effectiveness.”
Jeff Bodine Sinyard, Southwest Georgia Alliance for Progress, who also spearheaded the National Guard coming aboard the installation, was among several local dignitaries to speak at the ceremony.
“A project of this importance and magnitude takes strategy, goodwill, dedication in the partnership at all levels,” Sinyard said. “Since 1952, Albany and Dougherty County have been committed to supporting and advocating for Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany, the nation's premier Marine base.
“Co-locating the Georgia National Guard aboard MCLB Albany brings an added mission, thus strengthening our base and its incredible work force,” he said.
Simultaneously, this move provides enhanced living quarters, training facilities and, most importantly, security for the 148th Georgia National Guard, he continued.
“At the end of the day, this is a huge win for the 148th Brigade Support Battalion, Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany and our community,” Sinyard concluded.