Tobyhanna Army Depot, PA Installation Guide

LOCATION

Tobyhanna Army Depot (TYAD) is located in the Pocono mountains of northeastern Pennsylvania, twenty miles southeast of Scranton.  The Depot is readily accessible to major interstate highways, railways, port facilities, international airports, major industrial suppliers, colleges and universities.  Benefits of relocating to the Poconos include good schools, safe neighborhoods and lower taxes than in adjoining states. For instance, most property taxes are about half the rates charged for similar homes in New Jersey, the closest neighboring state. Homes are less expensive in the Poconos than in surrounding states along with maintenance costs and the general cost of living. People are attracted to the Poconos because of the quality of life. The air is clean here and wildlife is plentiful. Brooks, ponds and waterfalls are sprinkled throughout the region. Pristine rivers and creeks offer boating and fishing opportunities. Thousands of acres of game lands lure hunters. And the scenery is nothing short of remarkable. From pastoral views of rolling farmlands to dramatic mountain cliffs, opportunities for recreation and to just take in the landscape are incredibly diverse. Horseback riding, golf, skiing, hiking and biking are just a sample of popular outdoor activities enjoyed here by all ages.

HISTORY

The depot has served our nation for over 52 years, having opened on Feb. 1, 1953, following two years of construction. However, the Army has maintained a nearly continuous presence in Tobyhanna since 1912, when the site was first used as a field artillery training camp. Other uses include as a Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) camp, artillery training of West Point cadets and as a World War II prisoner-of-war camp and storage point for gliders used in the D-Day landings at Normandy in 1944.  For a more detailed history go to the depot website.

MISSION

Tobyhanna Army Depot is the largest, full-service electronics maintenance facility in the Department of Defense (DoD). The depot's mission is total sustainment, including design, manufacture, repair and overhaul of hundreds of electronic systems. They include satellite terminals, radio and radar systems, telephones, electro-optics, night vision and anti-intrusion devices, airborne surveillance equipment, navigational instruments, electronic warfare, and guidance and control systems for tactical missiles. Tobyhanna is DoD's recognized leader in the areas of automated test equipment, systems integration and downsizing of electronics systems. The Army has designated Tobyhanna as its Center of Industrial and Technical Excellence for communications- electronics, radar, and missile guidance and control. The Air Force has designated Tobyhanna as its Technical Source of Repair for command, control, communications and intelligence systems.

POPULATION SERVED

Being the largest employer in northeastern Pennsylvania, TYAD employs over 3,000 civilians and 30 military personnel.  Services are not only provided to the employees and the military personnel but to their families as well.  In addition to these number Tobyhanna Army Depot also services to approximately 7,800 National Guard and Reserve and to their families.