The Marine Corps Air-Ground Combat Center in Twentynine Palms was named Monday as the best base to live, work, and play in the Marine Corps. For the fifth time, and for an unprecedented fourth consecutive year, the Combat Center was awarded the Installation Excellence Award. This presidential award recognizes one military base in each of the services. Installations are evaluated on energy and environmental management, quality of life, unit morale, safety and health, communications, public relations, mission support, competitive activities, real property stewardship and asset management. In 2012, the Twentynine Palms Marine Base provided training support to more than 50,000 Marines, sailors and allied troops. In addition, 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 base save $3 million by producing cleaner, cheaper, and more efficient energy. Other accolades earned last year include the Secretary of the Navy’s Environmental Award for cultural resource management, the “Best in the West” food service mess hall award for the third year in a row, the Point of Light award, and the Department of Defense’s “Best Way to Stretch a Dollar” award for improved business efficiency and cost savings.
