Army Ammunition Plant hosts Oklahoma Commanders Summit

  • Published
  • By Darren D. Heusel
  • 72nd Air Base Wing Public Affairs

Senior leaders from military installations across the state converged on the McAlester Army Ammunition Plant last week for the third installment of the Oklahoma Commanders Summit.

The biannual summits provide an opportunity to get senior leaders from around the state together in one location and are aimed at building cooperation and efficiency among all service branches.

They also allow installation commanders an opportunity to share mission updates and best practices.

The first two summits were held at Tinker Air Force Base on Feb. 19 and August 19 of last year, respectively. The latest summit was held April 11-12.

Lt. Gen. Lee K. Levy II, Air Force Sustainment Center commander and the senior ranking military member in the state, called the summits “a success for advancing the joint-service goals of the Department of Defense and for the families of our Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines.”

“I think we would all agree it’s amazing what military capabilities we have in the state of Oklahoma,” he said. “But it is also surprising how little we communicate.

“I think from a warfighting perspective and a defense of the homeland perspective, we ought to do better,” Levy continued. “This allows us an opportunity to get to know one another and figure out better ways to perform our missions and take care of our people. I do think we are doing better.”

The summits have led to building closer relationships among the state’s major military installations to include Vance AFB in Altus, Lawton’s Fort Sill Army artillery and basic training base, the McAlester Army Ammunition Plant (MCAAP) and Tinker AFB.

Prior to the summits, Levy said there was really no forum for having the types of discussions the state’s military leaders are having now.

“Ultimately, it’s not about the Army or the Air Force or other branches,” the general said. “It’s about active duty families and active duty members and how to best take care of them across the state of Oklahoma.”

While at McAlester, commanders held meetings to discuss ways they can be more effective and efficient in conducting government business in a way that creates the best value for the taxpayer.

They held discussions on the direct hiring authority, hiring freeze, REAL ID Act, installation security and opportunities for partnering with state agencies.

They also went over action items from former summits and took a tour of MCAAP facilities.

“From the cabins to the dinner last night to today, this was a great event,” Levy told the group. “I know this was a heavy lift for you and I appreciate all your efforts in bringing us together and hosting this event.”

In addition to Levy and his wife, Rhonda, the summit also included Col. Sean Herron, MCAAP commander and his wife, Christy; Maj. Gen. Brian McKiernan, commanding general, U.S. Army FIRES Center of Excellence from Fort Sill; Brig. Gen. Thomas Ryan, Air Force assistant adjutant general for the Oklahoma Air National Guard; and Col. Todd Hohn, commander, 96th Air Mobility Wing at Altus.

“From McAlester, I’ll speak for my whole team,” Herron said. “We’re thrilled that you all took the time out of your busy schedules to come here. We brag about this place and you’ve heard me brag about it. I can’t tell this story enough.

“These people are fantastic at what they do for the nation,” Herron added. “So, we’re thrilled that we had a chance to host you. Thanks for coming down and spending a little time with us.”

MCAAP is located in southeast Oklahoma and the 45,000-acre facility employs approximately 1,800 people. The plant is DOD’s premier bomb and warhead loading facility. Production ranges from 40mm to 30,000-pound Massive Ordnance Penetrator bombs.

On the tour of the MCAAP facilities, participants visited the B-Line production facility to view the assembly of 2,000-pound conventional bombs; the M1122 production facility to view the assembly of the 155mm artillery training round; the outload pad, where munitions are received and shipped; and the special weapon production facility.

The GBU-43/B Massive Ordnance Air Blast bomb, a 21,600-pound, GPS-guided non-nuclear munition, was rapidly developed and produced by the Air Force Research Laboratory Munitions Directorate at Eglin AFB, Fla., with the support from the U.S. Army’s Joint Munitions Command.

Ironically, on April 13, a MOAB, nicknamed the Mother of All Bombs, was dropped from an MC-130 on an ISIS camp in Afghanistan, killing a reported 36 Islamic militants. That event marked the first time the weapon had been used in combat since its first test in 2003, when a large mushroom cloud could be seen from 20 miles away.

“The MOAB is one of the bombs produced by the Army for the joint force,” MCAAP officials said following the event. “The Joint Munitions Command and McAlester Army Ammunition Plant support the readiness needs of the Army and the joint forces with ready, reliable, lethal munitions at the right place and time to sustain global operations.”

While the commanders met on Wednesday morning, Mrs. Levy and Mrs. Herron held meetings of their own on a variety of topics to include security; GI Bill benefits; resiliency programs for returning deployed members, their families and caretakers; and the importance of communication, among other topics.

Mrs. Levy was also given a briefing on MCAAP’s Children’s Christmas Committee by Misty Tollett, the committee’s president.

The spouses then took a garrison tour of the facilities to include the child development center, fitness center, installation housing and MWR equipment rental, before joining back up with the commanders for a working lunch and a tour of the plant in the afternoon.

Levy said he plans to hold the next summit in five to six months at another location.

“We have an obligation to tell each other’s story, not only in Oklahoma but through our services,” he said.

McKiernan said of the McAlester summit, “This reminds me why America is great. I got the same sensation when I was out at Tinker.”