# DLA Distribution Anniston receives Army battle vehicles

/ Published Oct. 6, 2022
NEW CUMBERLAND, Pa., 
The highly trained employees at Defense Logistics Agency Distribution Anniston, Alabama, unloaded an initial shipment of 63 eight-wheeled armored Stryker vehicles Sept. 28. Sent to Anniston Army Depot from Fort Wainwright, Alaska, the shipment of over 300 Strykers is part of the Army’s plan to transition the 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division Stryker Brigade Combat Team to a newly established 11th Airborne Division. The first airborne division to be activated in 70 years, the brigade is aligned with the Army’s Arctic Strategy.

                DDAA’s vehicle and artillery dock and tow crew uses DDAA’s 80-ton gantry crane, nicknamed “Clyde,” to download 63 of 304 expected eight-wheeled armored Stryker vehicles sent from Fort Wainwright, Alaska, Sept. 28, 2022.  (U.S. Army photo by Mark Cleghorn)                            DLA Distribution Anniston receives Army battle vehicles                            DDAA’s vehicle and artillery dock and tow crew uses DDAA’s 80-ton gantry crane, nicknamed “Clyde,” to download 63 of 304 expected eight-wheeled armored Stryker vehicles sent from Fort Wainwright, Alaska, Sept. 28, 2022.  (U.S. Army photo by Mark Cleghorn)            SHARE IMAGE:Download ImageImage DetailsPhoto By: Mark CleghornVIRIN: 220928-A-SH487-005

**Related article:**Army announces release of Arctic Strategy | Article | The United States Army

“The offload of combat vehicles is a dangerous task that must be executed with precision,” said Army Lt. Col. Toby M. Williford, DLA Distribution Anniston, Alabama, commander.

DDAA employees DDAA employees are always at the ready, trained with the knowledge, skills and abilities for safely offloading combat vehicles. Earlier this year, DDAA vehicle and artillery branch employees safely offloaded nearly 50 railcars containing 84 M1A2 Abrams battle tanks, the Army’s primary ground combat system, and accompanying mine blades shipped from the 3rd Infantry Division at Fort Stewart, Georgia, to Anniston Army Depot.

                Defense Logistics Agency Distribution Anniston, Alabama, dock crew employees remove slings from a safely offloaded M1A2 Abrams battle tank. Nearly 50 railcars containing 84 tanks and accompanying mine blades were shipped from the 3rd Infantry Division at Fort Stewart, Georgia.                            DLA Distribution Anniston receives Army battle vehicles                            Defense Logistics Agency Distribution Anniston, Alabama, dock crew employees remove slings from a safely offloaded M1A2 Abrams battle tank. Nearly 50 railcars containing 84 tanks and accompanying mine blades were shipped from the 3rd Infantry Division at Fort Stewart, Georgia.            SHARE IMAGE:Download ImageImage DetailsPhoto By: DLA Distribution Public AffairsVIRIN: 220128-D-D0441-1541

When the vehicles arrive at ANAD, DDAA’s dock crew employees unchain them and attach heavy-duty slings to lift the vehicles from the railcars. DDAA’s dock and tow crew then use DDAA’s 80-ton gantry crane, nicknamed “Clyde,” to download the tanks from the railcars before towing them to storage preparation areas. Once dockside, vehicles are inspected and subsequently towed to the drain rack for defueling. The vehicles are then marked with required military standard markers, condition code and serial number before placement in field storage.

DDAA’s 240 employees take great pride in supporting the warfighter and Anniston Army Depot’s maintenance mission through disciplined, professional services including receipt, storage and issue of tracked vehicle and artillery systems.

DDAA sustains the Warfighter through distribution operations exceeding 100,000 transactions annually. Within its 35 million cubic feet of storage area, DDAA manages six million items totaling more than $11 billion. DLA Distribution Anniston remains focused with the mindset of “One Team, One Mission, One Heading, and One Standard”—Warfighter Always!

                Defense Logistics Agency Distribution Anniston, Alabama, employees received 63 of 304 expected eight-wheeled armored Stryker vehicles from Fort Wainwright, Alaska, Sept. 28, 2022. (U.S. Army photo by Mark Cleghorn)                            DLA Distribution Anniston receives Army battle vehicles                            Defense Logistics Agency Distribution Anniston, Alabama, employees received 63 of 304 expected eight-wheeled armored Stryker vehicles from Fort Wainwright, Alaska, Sept. 28, 2022. (U.S. Army photo by Mark Cleghorn)            SHARE IMAGE:Download ImageImage DetailsPhoto By: Mark CleghornVIRIN: 220928-A-SH487-050