KINGSPORT, Tenn. -- Col. Willie Coleman, Project Manager Combat Ammunition Systems (PM CAS), paid his first visit to Holston Army Ammunition Plant on Thursday, November 21.
During the visit, Coleman received a brief overview of plant operations, including the projects of particular significance to PM CAS, such as Quality Work Environment initiatives and production facility improvements. Coleman, through his role as PM CAS, approves the funding provided to these projects by his organization.
Joe Kennedy, commander's representative for HSAAP, began his presentation by explaining the site's worthiness for funding.
"We are one of the key elements of the industrial base," he said, pointing out the various explosive fills which Holston provides to all military branches. "We do everything for you."
Kennedy continued by highlighting the importance of current and potential PM CAS-funded upgrades.
"Modernization is critical to mission success," Kennedy explained.
Todd Hayes, director of facility and manufacturing support for operating contractor BAE Systems, discussed the production capacity which determines funding received.
"Historically, although production volume has decreased since World War II, complexity in production has increased," Hayes said. "The challenge lies in the relationship between volume and complexity."
Hayes went on to describe the various products and processes that did not exist in WWII. He noted that the plant initially produced one product, Comp-B, in high numbers. Now, the plant manufactures a wide variety of explosives, each with a differing level of complexity.
Coleman acknowledged this challenge, agreeing that output volume does not necessarily represent dollars needed when funding projects.
Hayes and Coleman also agreed that, in addition to estimated future need, HSAAP and PM CAS should consider the unexpected when determining production capacity.
"You should make sure you have the capacity to ramp up if needed," Coleman told the group.
Following the briefing, the group escorted the PM CAS team on a plant tour, giving Coleman a firsthand look at applied project funding.
Holston Army Ammunition Plant is a government-owned, contractor- operated facility located in Kingsport, Tenn. Since 1942, HSAAP has produced chemical explosives in support of our service members and currently produces explosive fills for every type of ordnance used by the United States Department of Defense.
HSAAP is a subordinate installation of the Joint Munitions Command. From its headquarters at the Rock Island Arsenal, JMC operates a nationwide network of conventional ammunition manufacturing plants and storage depots, and provides on-site ammunition experts to U.S. combat units wherever they are stationed or deployed. JMC's customers are U.S. forces of all military services, other U.S. government agencies and allied nations.
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