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MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. – The original headquarters building for the 1st Marine Logistics Group has stood strong since the 1940’s and was office to 20 commanding generals. The time for change has finally come for the Marines and sailors of the 1st MLG. There is now a new place for them to call their stomping ground.
“We built a new building for a few reasons,” said Chief Warrant Officer Michael C. Medley, facilities officer, G-4, 1st MLG. “One reason was to consolidate all the [general staff] shops into a single building and [another reason] was to help serve the commandants plan of the 202,000 plus up.”
Building 140121, the new structure, is located on the corner of Vandergrift Blvd. and 16th Street, less than a mile from the former building, that was in need of restoration.
“The old building wasn’t being renovated the way the Division building was, it was time for something new,” said Medley. “This building serves 265 [people].”
The new foundation located in 14 Area will continue to carry out the mission of 1st MLG. After years of planning and building, it was occupied by the staff, Aug. 16.
“The old building was just that, Old,” said Medley from Vancouver, Wash. “First MLG decided to give it a well-needed 70-year upgrade.”
A major difference of the new structure includes the overall shape and layout. There is a single two-story building updated with all the latest technology, as opposed to the previous six-building layout that was connected by boardwalks.
Medley said extra security measures have been taken with controlled access cards and video monitors to observe all the entrances. There are two classrooms, a conference room, a break room, a total of three vaults and tons of new desks and chairs.
Though new beginnings are underway, not all memories from the previous assembly have been lost.
“We are bringing Jack’s Shady Place here,” said Cpl. Jonathan D. Richer, combat engineer, construction shop, 7th Engineer Support Battalion, 1st MLG. “It’s an important aspect of the 1st MLG that shouldn’t be left behind because it gives Marines a place to relax and build camaraderie.”
The 529 square foot area is expected to be completed around Oct. 8. It will consist of a barbecue pit and a few picnic tables. The Marines from the construction shop also brought over all the historical items from the old building that should not be forgotten.
“I think the new building is really nice,” said Richer, 22, Loogootee, Ind. “The contractors did a great job making it stand out from the rest of the units on base.”
The building plus the new armory cost more than $25 million to build. In addition to the new headquarters, a total of 10 more structures are under construction that will house other units of 1st MLG and serve as living quarters for Marines. Also in the near future, there will be a four-story parking garage, the first ever on base.
Medley said the new buildings are expected be done sometime in the summer of 2011.
| Date Taken: | 10.05.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 11.16.2010 11:36 |
| Story ID: | 60242 |
| Location: | CAMP PENDLETON, CALIFORNIA, US |
| Web Views: | 494 |
| Downloads: | 5 |
This work, Building provides new stomping grounds for 1st MLG Marines, by Sgt Whitney N. Frasier, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
