The 1st Force Storage Battalion was formally activated by Marine Force Storage Command in a ceremony at Warehouse 406 aboard the Yermo Annex of Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow, California, June 26.
The ceremony, held at the Fleet Support Division warehouse, formally changed FSD to 1st Force Storage Battalion as the new unit flag signifying the change was officially unveiled by its commanding officer, Lt. Col. Micheal R. Graham.
Major General Joseph F. Shrader, commanding general, Marine Corps Logistics Command, and Col. Kipp A. Wahlgren, commanding officer, Marine Force Storage Command were among the VIPs present for the event.
Wahlgren pointed out that standing up 1st FSB immediately improves inventory control of military equipment and ancillary components in Marine Corps Logistic Command’s possession. It also improves oversight and execution of care of supplies in storage and increases the service level readiness of in-stores equipment.
The colonel also said the activation of the 1st FSB increases the importance of MCLB Barstow as a logistics power projection platform for the Marine Corps.
This new command reports to MFSC located in Albany, Georgia, and increases Marine Corps Logistics Command’s focus on storage, physical inventory control, and stock readiness operations supporting the Marine Corps on a global scale.
Marines and civilians currently assigned to Fleet Support Division will transition to 1st FSB.
Wahlgren explained that the new command warehouses, cares for supplies in storage, and performs limited field level maintenance for Marine Corps ground equipment. The 2nd Force Storage Battalion was stood up in Albany, Georgia, earlier this month. The two commands under MFSC are responsible for 25 percent of the Corps’ total equipment, which is 300,000 pieces of equipment valued at nearly $7-billion.
Wahlgren then introduced Lt. Col. Graham as the new commanding officer of 1st FSB. Graham thanked the military and civilian dignitaries gathered for the unit stand-up. He then thanked the Marines of 1st FSB for their dedication to maintaining and keeping ready the equipment and material that allows the Marine Corps Logistic Command to support the Corps worldwide.
This is the second time Graham has served at the helm of the organization responsible for maintaining and storing military equipment for the Marine Corps. He was the director of FSD in 2010 as a major, then returned to MCLB Barstow to assume command of the newly activated 1st FSB.
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