Stryker vehicles refurbished in Alabama

ANNISTON, Ala., Sept. 24 (UPI) -- Stryker combat vehicles returning from Iraq will be refurbished at Alabama's Anniston Army Depot.

Following the end of combat operations in Iraq last month, the facility is gearing up to renovate 318 Stryker combat vehicles for continued use, The Anniston Star reported Friday.

Formally labeled a "reset program," the work represents a relatively new mission for the Anniston Army Depot, separate from Stryker damage repair work. Depot officials said they are optimistic that their new mission will keep Stryker production up even as the Pentagon draws down and reconfigures many of its overseas operations.

Billie Hooper, who oversees the Anniston Army Depot's Stryker program said, "We'll be getting the vehicles back to fully mission-capable, repairing any damages … and upgrading them to the latest configurations," adding that the Stryker reset mission actually began in December 2009, when the U.S. Department of Defense decided to centralize all Stryker vehicle work in Anniston, where since 2006 depot mechanics have worked alongside General Dynamics employees to repair heavily damaged Strykers.