By: Rydell Tomas
ANNISTON ARMY DEPOT, Ala. — The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Mobile District joined Anniston Army Depot leadership, project partners and military officials during a ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the completion of the new Welding Repair Facility in Anniston, Alabama, May 20, 2026.
The approximately 33,500-square-foot facility was designed to improve welding operations, safety, and overall production efficiency at Anniston Army Depot. The project included demolition of portions of Building 434, removal of underground fuel storage infrastructure, and construction of a modernized welding and administrative complex capable of supporting future expansion.
“This building was engineered for efficiency, quality, and above all, worker safety,” said Christopher Martin, USACE Mobile District resident engineer.
The facility features 10 welding bays, including five modern bays equipped with advanced tank-positioning systems to improve welding precision and workflow efficiency. Additional features include hybrid ventilation systems, elevated floor systems, centralized decontamination vacuum systems, overhead lifting capabilities, and temperature-controlled production spaces.
“This technology allows advanced steel welders to rotate and position the platforms for the most efficient and precise welding model,” Martin said.
Col. Charles A. Moore, commander of Anniston Army Depot, highlighted the collaboration required to complete the project and emphasized the facility’s impact on long-term readiness.
“None of this would have been possible without the dedication and collaboration between our planning, design, and facilities teams,” Moore said. “We’re opening the doors to greater capability, stronger readiness, and continuing excellence.”
U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Beth A. Behn, commanding general of Tank-automotive and Armaments Command, emphasized the importance of welding operations in sustaining combat readiness across the Army.
“Welding is quite literally what holds our combat platforms together,” Behn said. “The craftsmanship of our welders here is the armor that is protecting us, and that’s something to be proud of.”
The completion of the facility marks a continued investment in modernization efforts supporting the Army’s organic industrial base and the long-term sustainment of critical combat systems.
Through projects like the new welding repair facility, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Mobile District, continues to support Anniston Army Depot’s modernization efforts by helping deliver safer, more efficient infrastructure that strengthens Army readiness for the future.