FBI recognizes ammo plant for rounds transfer

By Kevin Jackson (AMC)November 13, 2014

FBI Awards 02
1 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – John Ross (left), chief of the Production Planning Office, Ammunition Operations Directorate at McAlester Army Ammunition Plant, Oklahoma, accepts an individual award from FBI Special Agent In Charge, James E. Finch, for his efforts in transferring s... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
FBI Awards 03
2 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Terry Mines (right), chief of the Surveillance Division, Depot Operations Directorate at McAlester Army Ammunition Plant, Oklahoma, accepts an organizational award from FBI Special Agent In Charge, James E. Finch, for the efforts of quality assuranc... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
FBI Awards 01
3 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Col. Joseph G. Dalessio, commander, McAlester Army Ammunition Plant, Oklahoma, accepts an appreciation award from FBI Special Agent In Charge, James E. Finch, for the plant's help in transferring small-arms ammunition from its demilitarization accoun... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

McALESTER, Okla. -- McAlester Army Ammunition Plant was recognized by the FBI during a visit to the plant, Oct. 31, for transferring small- arms ammunition to its agency.

MCAAP identified and diverted more than 4.3 million rounds of small-arms ammunition from its demilitarization stockpile and transferred it to the FBI to use during its agents' quarterly weapons training. Some of the rounds from the initial transfer went to the U.S. Border Patrol.

Special Agent In Charge, James E. Finch, presented an individual award to John Ross, chief of the Production Planning Division, Ammunition Operations Directorate, and organizational awards to the Surveillance Division of the Depot Operations Directorate, received by its chief, Terry Mines, and to Col. Joseph G. Dalessio, MCAAP commander.

The crystal plaques were given in appreciation of the dedication, stewardship and assistance MCAAP provided to the FBI between October 2009 and May 2014.

"I appreciate you guys and what you've done to help us out," Finch said in his opening remarks before presenting the awards.

Finch said that sequestration in 2013 and the subsequent budget constraints made it challenging for the FBI to obtain ammunition for its special agents to complete necessary weapons training at the FBI's 56 field offices across the United States.

"The bureau is going to benefit greatly from this," Finch said. "It saves money for both parties, and I was happy to hear that."

The ammunition was already in MCAAP's demilitarization stockpile and was headed for destruction before Ross identified it as possibly being suitable for FBI training purposes. Workers in the Surveillance Division examined it, some of which came from the battlefield, to further determine its safety and suitability.

When the transfers occurred, they not only filled a training round shortage for the FBI, but also helped MCAAP reduce its demilitarization stockpile, which saved money.

"We must be good stewards of taxpayer dollars," Dalessio said after accepting the award for MCAAP. "I'm glad it worked out and I have to give kudos to the FBI team, not just for this project, but for its day- to- day support."

Finch acknowledged the benefits of the two federal agencies working together.

"At the end of the day, the taxpayers have an expectation of us to do the right thing, to be good stewards. And to me, this is the epitome of good stewardship and a good partnership," he said.

The transfer of ammunition took about a year and a half for the involved agencies to approve, and more ammo may be diverted from the demilitarization stockpile and transferred in the future, Ross said.

"Now we search the demilitarization accounts and if there is something acceptable to the FBI that is not to the Army, we can save them money and reduce our demil costs," he said.

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McAlester Army Ammunition Plant is the Department of Defense's premier bomb- and warhead-loading facility. It is one of 14 installations of the Joint Munitions Command and one of 23 organic industrial bases under the U.S. Army Materiel Command, which include arsenals, depots and ammunition plants. MCAAP is vital to ammunition stockpile management and delivery to the Joint Warfighter for training and combat operations.