Letterkenny Munitions Center welcomes new commander

By Mr. Tony Lopez (AMC)June 10, 2015

Letterkenny Munitions Center welcomes new commander
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Letterkenny Munitions Center welcomes new commander
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Letterkenny Munitions Center welcomes new commander
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Letterkenny Munitions Center welcomes new commander
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CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. -- As part of Army tradition, the Letterkenny Munitions Center welcomed a new commanding officer during an official Change of Command Ceremony, held here, June 4.

Lt. Col. Trenton J. Conner replaced Lt. Col. Bryan E. Fowler, who relinquished command of LEMC after two years as the senior leader.

"Today, we come together and recognize what an outstanding organization Letterkenny Munitions Center is and what makes us special, the great men and women we call our LEMC family,' said Fowler in his farewell remarks. "Our men and women serve a critical role in the Nation's defense and readiness. We receive, store, maintain, ship and demilitarize the munitions that all our services utilize at home for training, and across the globe in defense of our Country."

Col. Robert "Joe" Dixon, Crane Army Ammunition Activity commander, served as the official host, and Command Sgt. Maj. Walton Jones, Joint Munitions Command, served as the senior enlisted officer in charge of the color guard.

"Since the beginning of our Nation, the Change of Command has represented the peaceful and orderly transition of command from one individual to another," said Dixon. "The exchange is seen in every command in the military from this munitions center -- to combat brigades and divisions."

Dixon noted the fine work by Fowler. "Bryan has guided this munitions center with superb results. He is the kind of officer who handles the responsibility for the safe, secure, and timely production and demilitarization of ammunition with great skill. He has excelled as a Strategic Commander that greatly improved security and safety at the United States center of excellence for missile support."

Dixon also recognized Fowler's efforts in facility modernization and LEMC's environmental initiatives. During Fowler's command, LEMC kicked off construction of the $33 million Rocket Motor Demilitarization facility. This is a unique capability within the organic industrial base, which will allow the Department of Defense to dispose of all tactical rocket motors.

Both LEMC and CAAA are subordinate installations of JMC, headquartered at the Rock Island Arsenal, Illinois. Joint Munitions Command manages 14 ammunition manufacturing plants and storage depots that provide ammunition to all military services, other federal agencies, as well as to allied nations.

Joint Munitions Command produces small-, medium- and large-caliber ammunition items for the Department of Defense. JMC is the logistics integrator for life-cycle management of ammunition, and provides a global presence of technical support to U.S. combat units wherever they are stationed or deployed.

The Letterkenny Army Depot was established in 1941 as an ammunition and general supply storage depot. In 1961, its Directorate of Ammunition Operations began supporting Army air defense missiles and Air Force intercept missiles. In 1999, the Directorate of Ammunition Operations was renamed the Letterkenny Munitions Center under command and control of the Crane Army Ammunition Activity. LEMC is a tenant on Letterkenny Army Depot. LEMC occupies 16,000 of the depot's 17,400 acres. It employs approximately 202 Department of the Army civilians and one Soldier.

"It is a special honor to be given the opportunity to command," said Conner in his welcoming remarks. "I am humbled by the chance to lead this great organization with its rich history of supporting our Nation's Warfighters. I am impressed by the people here. You are experts in your craft and I look forward to getting to know you and working with you to continue LEMC's great success."

Prior to his new assignment, Conner served as the Deputy Director for International and Interagency Affairs for U. S. Transportation Command in Washington, D.C. Conner is a native of Marietta, Georgia. He received his active duty commission into the Quartermaster Corps through the Reserve Officer Training Corps at North Georgia College in 1997.

Distinguished guests in attendance included Col. Victor Hagan, commander, Letterkenny Army Depot; Pennsylvania Sen. Richard Alloway; Pennsylvania Congressman Paul Schemel; Aubrey Yanzito, District Staff Assistant, Sen. Pat Toomey's office; Nancy Bull, District Aide, Congressman Bill Shuster's office; Jordan Conner, Representative, Pennsylvania State Representative Rob Kauffman's office; as well as friends and family members from the munitions center staff.

The ceremony featured a color guard provided by the Pennsylvania Army National Guard, an invocation by Chaplain Adolph DuBose of Carlisle Barracks, and the playing of the "Army Song'. Guests were invited to greet the Conner and Fowler families immediately following the conclusion of the event.

Related Links:

Letterkenny Munitions Center webpage

Letterkenny Munitions Center on Facebook