Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany -- March 1 marked the 56th birthday for Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany.
“The 56th birthday of Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany reminds me that our base, our mission and the missions of our tenant organizations are as relevant as ever as we continue to play a vital strategic role in the Marine Corps’ combat and security operations overseas,” said Col. C. N. Haliday, commanding officer, MCLB Albany.
The base was commissioned on March 1, 1952, as the Marine Corps Depot of Supplies. Marine Brig. Gen. Raymond P. Coffman assumed command and a small contingent of Marines established headquarters in temporary buildings. By early1954, the station was sufficiently complete with warehouses and administration buildings to assume supply support for Marines east of the Rocky Mountains and in the Atlantic area. On July 29, 1954, the command was renamed the Marine Corps Supply Center Albany.
The MCSC managed and controlled supplies at storage and issue locations in the eastern half of the United States, the Caribbean and the Mediterranean. Depot level rebuild operations began at the base in October 1954.
Today, one of MCLB Albany’s most important facilities is Maintenance Center Albany. The only other facility of this kind is located at MCLB Albany’s sister installation, Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow, Calif.
The MCSC Albany was redesignated Marine Corps Logistics Support Base Atlantic on April 1, 1976, because the Marine Corps Supply Activity at Philadelphia and its inventory control, financial management, procurement and technical support functions were relocated to the Albany installation.
On Nov. 1, 1978, the installation was renamed Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany. The full spectrum of logistics support functions required to support the Marine Corps ground weapons systems and equipment was now performed at this base.
On Jan. 17, 1990, the commandant of the Marine Corps designated the commanding general at MCLB Albany to also take on the responsibilities of commander, Marine Corps Logistics Command.
The reorganization placed control of MCLB Albany, MCLB Barstow, Calif., and the Blount Island Command in Jacksonville, Fla., under this single commander, the current chain of command.