Marine Air Ground Task Force Training Command Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center

Twentynine Palms, California 92278 Public Affairs Office

(760) 830-3760 Fax: (760) 830-5474

For Immediate Release

Release No: PR-130520-NM1

Combat Center wins fourth Installation Excellence award

MARINE CORPS AIR GROUND COMBAT CENTER, TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. (May 20, 2013) The Marine Air Ground Task Force Training Command, Marine
Corps Air Ground Combat Center has been recognized for an unprecedented fourth consecutive year by the Office of the President of the United States with the Commander in Chiefs Installation Excellence Award. This is the commands fifth overall installation excellence

recognition.
The award recognizes the efforts of the people who operate and maintain U.S. military installations and is awarded to the top installation chosen among the four military services. Known throughout the world as The Combat Center, the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center is home to the Marine Air Ground Task Force Training Command and serves as the Marine Corps premier combined arms, live-fire and maneuver training installation. During 2012, MAGTFTC provided training support to more than 50,000 Marines, sailors and joint and multinational allies. The Combat Centers unique training ranges and live-fire training capabilities make it the only training facility in the Department of Defense where Marines can train the way they fight using the full Marine Corps weapons inventory in combat-like conditions. In addition to its efforts towards this vital training mission, the Combat Center provided resident units and families with top-quality facilities, services and quality of life programs. More than $100 million in construction projects were completed last year, including a redeveloped child development center, an interactive Life-Long Learning Center, renovated fitness facilities, a new compound for 1st Tank Battalion and increased communications infrastructure. A newly constructed 9.2 Mega Watt co-generation plant helped the command achieve unprecedented energy savings, totaling $3 million saved by producing cleaner, cheaper, more efficient energy and eliminating the need for separate heating, air conditioning and water temperature systems. The Combat Centers dedicated staff earned multiple accolades last year, including the Secretary of the Navys Environmental Award for cultural resource management, the National Safety Councils Best Performance award for the fourth consecutive year, the Best in the West food service mess hall award for the third year in a row, the Point of Light award from President George W. Bushs Point of Light Institute and the Department of Defenses Best Way to Stretch a Dollar award for improved business efficiency and cost savings. The Combat Center team continues a culture of strong leadership, innovative management and dedication to ensure the Combat Center remains the Marine Corps premier location for combined arms training.

-30Media Queries can be sent to Capt. Nicholas Mannweiler, Combat Center PAO, at nicholas.mannweiler@usmc.mil.