Thousands of troops who rode out Hurricane Isaac at M-C-L-B Albany are arriving back at their base in Florida tonight.
The Marines, Sailors, and airmen from the Naval Air Station in Pensacola began leaving Albany in waves this morning.
They spent the last three days at Albany's base as Hurricane Isaac threatened their home base.
USMC Colonel Jim Sherrill said "Really there has been no substantial damage in Pensacola. The waters did come up. We had some rain. We had some high winds, but nothing excessive. Not like Louisiana. So that's why we waited an extra day. And today is the all clear, and decided to push back."
Pensacola Naval Training Center Commander Captain Jim Daniels said joint operations like this evacuation are good training for the students.
Commanders from Pensacola thanked the Albany base and the community for what they called outstanding hospitality.
Information from the Marine Corps Logistics Base
Albany, Ga. – Approximately 3,900 Marines, Sailors and Airmen attached with the Marine Aviation Training Support Group 21 and the Naval Air Technical Training Center based in Pensacola, Fla., are departing here today after spending three days at the base due to an evacuation order given as Hurricane Isaac approached the Florida panhandle, Sunday.
The initial estimate of evacuees was 4,800 for a full evacuation; however, as the storm progressed the number was reduced to about 3,900 service members from Pensacola who took refuge at MCLB Albany.
Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany has a support agreement with the Florida commands to provide a safe haven in the event of destructive weather or other emergencies.
The Marine Corps Logistics Command, the base's largest tenant, was instrumental in assisting the displaced service members during their stay here as the command cleared its open warehouse storage space which provided about 270,000 square feet of living space.
Personnel evacuated from Pensacola stayed in warehouse facilities equipped with cots, bedding and all their basic necessities for the duration of their stay.
Defense Distribution Depot Albany, Georgia, another tenant command at the base, provided Meals, Ready to Eat (MREs) for the service members.
"At times such as this, we must remain mindful of those who are displaced from their homes and extend ourselves to assist," Col. Don Davis, base commanding officer, said. "We, along with the Logistics Command and our other tenants, are proud to support these warriors."
"The preparedness by everyone at this installation, as well as the huge support they received by members in the Southwest Georgia community, spoke volumes. Those Marines, Sailors and Airmen will return to their home stations with plenty of good things to say about Albany, Georgia."
MCLB Albany and its tenant command personnel plan, train and prepare for events such as this throughout the year in order to make real-life events more successful.
The last time MCLB Albany hosted displaced military members from Pensacola was in 2005 as a result of Hurricane Katrina. Those service members were forced to take refuge at the base for 21 days.
The base has the capacity to provide shelter, food, water and other basic necessities for as many as 8,500 military members.
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