MARINE CORPS AIR GROUND COMBAT CENTER, TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. -- In celebration of the Marine Air Ground Task Force Training Command's 49th birthday, Marines and Sailors from various units gathered for a ceremony and brief look back at the history that keeps them here today.
The narration, given by LCpl. Darrell B. Walker, combat correspondent with the Public Affairs Office here, gave everyone present an in-depth look at when the Combat Center was born and why.
"In 1952, with the Marine Corps engaged in the Korean War and in need of more live-fire training ranges, Camp Pendleton Base Headquarters issued Post Order 343, and the Marine Corps Training Center, Twentynine Palms, Calif., was born," read Walker.
Marine Air Ground Task Force Training Command Chief of Staff Col. Frank M. Stewart spoke on the importance of each and every command and of the diverse training taking place that's characteristic of the Training Command's high operational tempo.
Of course no birthday ceremony would be complete without a cake. The cake was cut and distributed by LtCol. T. E. Devlin, Headquarters Battalion commanding officer.
Several key members of the Twentynine Palms community, such as Mayor M. J. "Mac" Dube, were also present for the ceremony.
The Training Command is the Marine Corps' largest installation and has the unique mission of developing, conducting and evaluating combined arms training.