Lt. Gov. Kay Ivey had a message Friday for members of Team Redstone -- thank you.
Ivey paid a visit to Redstone Arsenal Oct. 17 as part of her role as the chair of the Military Stability Commission. Citing the trip as "very informative," Ivey made stops at Marshall Space Flight Center, the Army Materiel Command, AMRDEC's Prototype Integration Facility and the Garrison before taking part in the Silver Star Ceremony for retired 1st Lt. Phillip Fikes.
"I've been pleased to be visiting individuals up here at AMC, individuals who make a difference day in and day out; meeting the folks who renovate and modernize all to keep our Soldiers well-prepared, well-equipped," Ivey said. "It's been a learning experience. My job is to say thank you to the men and women who are making such a difference."
Part of her stops across the Arsenal included meeting with AMC commander Gen. Dennis Via, Garrison commander Col. Bill Marks, AMRDEC director James Lackey and MSFC director Patrick Scheuermann. Lackey, together with PIF program manager Danny Featherston, briefed Ivey on the mission and metrics of the PIF, before allowing employees to share their work with her in their own words.
Ivey was particularly impressed by the Minotaur, which clears improvised explosive devices from the paths of Soldiers, allowing any damage to come to the Minotaur, rather than cause injury or loss of life for the Soldier.
"That's taking care of business, and the speed with which these folks are able to turn around requirements and requests is phenomenal, as compared to what it would take in just normal, routine kind of businesses," Ivey said. "Doing whatever it takes to meet the Soldier's demands and needs is what this team is all about. They do such a great job."
Ivey was also impressed by the number of civilians dedicating their livelihoods on the Arsenal for both the military and NASA.
"That's a great tribute to the men and women of Alabama who choose to live here and work in this area," Ivey said. "I'm pleased to shake their hands and listen to their stories."
In addition to Redstone Arsenal, Ivey is also making stops at other military installations across the state.
"As chairman of the Military Stability Commission for Alabama, meeting with our military bases and the people who make them successful, the missions that are attached to the bases, are very important so that we can keep Alabama military men and women, and all the military assets intact and safe, and hopefully add some missions to the existing sites that we have in Alabama," Ivey said. "This is just part of that responsibility that I hold very dear and am proud to be able to execute."
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