Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow

Civilian women have been working in traditional male jobs on Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow, California for several years now, just as their Marine counterparts have. Many of the "heavy lifting" jobs are at Production Plant Barstow, Marine Depot Maintenance Command at the Yermo Annex. Women have come to see these jobs are well within their skill set, and have also been seen by their supervisors as hard chargers who are an asset to the Yermo Ann.

Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow, California has implemented several initiatives that continue to make its railhead not only the largest in the Department of Defense, but also increase its value as a strategic asset. Based at the Yermo Annex of MCLB Barstow, rail operations are handled by Chad Hildebrandt, who won the Supervisor of the Quarter Award for fiscal year 2015 for the work he and his team did, not only to establish an innovative training program, but also to save money. Training rotations account for a hefty share of the rail traffic at Yermo, and equipment is often sent to Production Plant Barstow, Marine Depot Maintenance Command there for repair and overhaul. A major training cycle took place in March, with First Cavalry Division out of Fort Hood, Texas on-loading after an 18-day exercise at the National Training Center at nearby Fort Irwin, while First Infantry Division from Fort Riley, Kansas offloaded at the same time for their turn at the NTC. Hildebrandt's team introduced the 80-hour Rail Ops course in February 2014, to teach Army and Marine Corps personnel how to load and offload their equipment. The class averages 20 to 30 students each month, with a recent high of 38 students. Another one of Hildebrandt's initiatives is getting the military units to move more equipment by rail rather than by truck, and to get San Bernardino County to allow use of military heavy equipment transporters rather than commercial tractor trailers, which cost around $5,800 each, one way. A former Marine, Hildebrandt left a rewarding Navy civilian job to work at Yermo, with a reduction in pay that has been offset by the challenge and rewards he has received transforming the rail operations here into an ever-more valuable asset. Produced by Cynthia McIntyre. Videography by Cynthia McIntyre and Keith Hayes. Narration: Keith Hayes

The Battle Color Detachment, from Marine Barracks Washington, D.C. (“the Oldest Post of the Corps”), performed for an estimated crowd of 1,500 people on Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow, Calif., March 10. The BCD is comprised of the United States Marine Drum and Bugle Corps, also known as “The Commandant’s Own,” the Silent Drill Platoon and the Marine Corps Color Guard. “The Commandant’s Own” performs contemporary and traditional marching music with precision drill movements. The Silent Drill Platoon executes precision drill with fixed bayonets atop M1 rifles, weighing approximately 10.5 pounds. The Marines go through their rifle maneuvers entirely without verbal commands. The Marine Corps Color Guard carries the only official Battle Colors of the Marine Corps, with 54 streamers displaying the military service, expeditions, and campaigns Marines have participated in, from the American Revolution to today. Hundreds of High Desert residents, from school children to disabled veterans, traveled to MCLB Barstow to witness the prestigious ceremony - one of hundreds the BCD performs each year. The Marines visited with members of the audience after the stirring performance.

A full-scale active shooter training exercise was held aboard MCLB Barstow, Feb. 24, under the watchful eye of the Regional Exercise Team West and Marine Corps Installation West Camp Pendleton. The exercise was intended to assess the capability of first responders to coordinate and establish the facilities necessary to conduct on-site incident management and evaluate MCPD and SAF as they establish and maintain a safe perimeter, address life safety and terminate the threat. US Marine Imagery by Cindy McIntyre and Keith Hayes.

An embassy reinforcement exercise occurred Feb. 9-12, 2015 on Marine Corps Logistics Base, Barstow, Calif. as part of the Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force-Crisis Response-Central Command 15.2 certification prior to deployment. Marines from Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms and Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, both in Calif., participated. US Marine Motion Imagery by Public Affairs specialists Cindy McIntyre, Keith Hayes and Carlos Guerra.

Marines from Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow, California celebrated the Marine Corps' 239th birthday with a ball at Las Vegas, Nevada on Nov. 8, 2014.

Commanding General of Marine Corps Installations West, Brig. Gen. Edward D. Banta, visited Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow, Calif. He toured the installation and met with Marines and Civilian Marines at McCarver Hall aboard the base to introduce himself and to conduct a question and answer session with base employees.

On April 2, Fleet Support Division on Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow, Calif., participates in an active shooter training exercise. Available in high definition.

Marines, soldiers and base personnel on Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow, Calif., enjoy a night of camaraderie and holiday spirit, during the Base Christmas Party, at Maj. Gen. James L. Day Conference Center, Dec. 12. Available in high definition.

Marines and civilian Marines from MCLB Barstow, celebrate the 238th Marine Corps Birthday at the Queen Mary in Long Beach. Available in High Definition.

Marines who have served in the past reflect on what the Marine Corps Birthday means to them and how they celebrate it. Available in High Definition.

Marines with Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow fire M9 pistols at the base's rifle and pistol range, Aug. 22. The base offers more than 2,400 acres to units in the southwest region. It also houses a 1,000-yard rifle range as well as a pistol and shotgun range. The ranges provide sustainment and qualification training for service members and provide a unique environment for local law enforcement agencies to hone their skills. Also available in high definition

Service members, military dependents and base employees enjoy the festivities during Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow's Earth Day event, April 11. The event was held to educate people on environmental threats in the High Desert.