Marine Corps Logistics Command Albany, Ga. -- Marines, civilian-Marines and community leaders observed history unfold as the Marine Corps activated Marine Force Storage Command during a ceremony, April 11, at Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany, Georgia.
Col. Kipp Wahlgren, commanding officer, MFSC, and 1stSgt. Kevin Davis, senior enlisted advisor, MFSC, uncased the unit colors which symbolized the activation of the new command.
MFSC’s mission is to store combat-ready capability sets in order to sustain the expeditionary force in readiness. The new command is part of Marine Corps Logistics Command.
In a Marine Corps bulletin released in June 2018, the secretary of the Navy approved the activation of MFSC and 1st and 2d Marine Force Storage Battalions.
According to the message, the activation of MFSC provides the Marine Corps a single command responsible for materiel management, storage, and maintenance management of Marine Corps ground equipment and associated collateral material held in assigned MARCORLOGCOM inventory. MFSC will be a more efficient and operationally engaged organization, posturing MARCORLOGCOM to support the broader Marine Corps Force 2025 initiative.
1st Marine Force Storage Battalion will be located at MCLB Barstow, California, and 2d Marine Force Storage Battalion will be located at MCLB Albany, Georgia. The activation ceremonies have been set for summer of 2019.
Brig. Gen. Joseph F. Shrader, commanding general, MARCORLOGCOM, said there are now three subordinate commands under MARCORLOGCOM; Marine Depot Maintenance Command, Blount Island Command and MFSC.
“(This) is significant for the Marine Corps,” Shrader said. “The Marine Corps selected Colonel Kipp Wahlgren from a board to stand up and command MFSC.”
He then welcomed Wahlgren and his family and congratulated him on his new position.
“You are the right one to do it,” he added. “We are really glad to have you here and I look forward to all the work we have to do and the tasks ahead of us.”
Wahlgren said it is an honor to command MFSC.
“To be a commander is significant,” Wahlgren said. “It's not something (that) happens for everybody so it's a great honor and I'm just really proud to be here.
“(MFSC) is a small organization in some regards but it represents a significant amount of the Marine Corps’ gear,” he added. “(This) is part of the Marine Corps’ commitment to ensure that we’re taking care of all the assets that are here.”