McALESTER, Okla. -- With inert munitions of numerous shapes and sizes lining the parade field, the McAlester Army Ammunition Plant here welcomed its 34th commander -- only the 17th from the Army -- since the military base was commissioned in May 1943.
Col. Sean M. Herron assumed command from Col. Joseph G. Dalessio during the traditional Army ceremony at the military installation nestled inconspicuously in the gentle rolling hills of southeast Oklahoma, June 24.
Herron came to the installation, commonly called MCAAP, from the 19th Expeditionary Sustainment Command at Camp Henry in Daegu, South Korea, where he has worked as the support operations officer since July 2014.
Brig. Gen. Kristin K. French, commanding general, Joint Munitions Command, Rock Island Arsenal, Ill., served as the host for the ceremony.
"I want to recognize the outstanding workforce of this impressive installation," French after extending a special welcome to the families and friends of both commanders, and elected officials from the area. "Your extraordinary contributions to our nation and our warfighters are unparalleled."
French stated that under Dalessio, MCAAP promoted a culture of safety that held leaders accountable; successfully completed capstone training for the Logistics Management Program increment II deployment, which went live that day; and strengthened its relationship with McAlester through a myriad of community engagements.
But most important, French said that after reworking A-Line, MCAAP began producing 500-pound bombs and MK82 inert bombs for the Navy and Air Force, while B-Line which went online in September 2014, produced BLU-117 2,000-pound general purpose bombs and MK84 inert bombs for the Navy and Air Force to meet warfighter requirements.
"I could go on, but my point is that Col. Dalessio balanced many glass balls while always keeping his commitment to McAlester in his sights and meeting the challenge to make a difference for our great Army," she said.
She then welcomed the Herron family, who learned slightly more than two months ago while unpacking their household goods in South Korea that they were moving to Oklahoma. She expressed complete confidence in him.
"As an artilleryman, Sean was a customer of our ammunition and as he rose through the ranks, he branch-transferred to the Transportation Corps, where he planned and managed movement of our munitions across the globe," French said.
Before thanking his spouse and their children for their sacrifices, Dalessio thanked French for her "unwavering support, guidance and encouragement." He also praised her as a leader and congratulated her on her retirement, which will occur simultaneously when she relinquishes her command, July 9.
Dalessio also praised the 1,300 civilian employee workforce.
"What I find most inspiring is your unwavering support and commitment to one another, our Army, the Department of Defense and our number one customer -- the Joint Warfighter," he said.
He talked about the team's achievements, which include exceeding production metrics, delivering munitions on or ahead of schedule, being one of only 21 Defense Department organizations to attain OSHA's Voluntary Protection Program, attaining ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 recertifications, receiving Army Materiel Command natural resource conservation awards, expanding public-private partnerships, and receiving a top score on the unannounced inspection of the Child Development Center and Youth Services Program.
"MCAAP's future is bright," Dalessio said. "In our ongoing efforts to build the business and remain ahead of the pack, our vision and focus must remain centered on preserving the plant's unique and strategic capabilities, while always maintaining a customer-focused approach. There are no boundaries or limitations for this organization."
In closing, the former University of California, Davis, Aggie pitcher contrasted the current business environment with Negro Leagues legend Satchel Paige's pitching philosophy: "Just take the ball and throw strikes, home plate doesn't move."
"Well, in today's complex, uncertain and ambiguous environment," Dalessio said, "unfortunately, home plate does move. In order to throw strikes at the moving target we call home plate, we must remain flexible, adaptive and ready. As a DOD strategic asset, we play a pivotal role in supporting our nation's security efforts and interests, and because of that, we can never falter."
Herron was commissioned through the Army ROTC program at the Ohio State University in 1990. He entered active duty in June 1991 as a field artillery officer. He's held various staff and command positions throughout his career, but he's looking forward to the next challenge.
"Coming out of the operational Army, I look forward to the challenge of learning a new and exciting set of skills here in the organic industrial base," he said. "I have no doubt the great staff will get me up to speed quickly."
"A great organization and organizational climate doesn't happen by serendipity," Herron said. "It is a reflection of the leadership. Certainly this organization has thrived during the tenure of Joe and Debbie Dalessio. Thank you both for the magnificent work you have done here. Christy and I hope to serve this community as well as you have, and continue to help it grow and thrive."
Dalessio has been MCAAP's commander since June 2013. He has been reassigned as the executive officer to the executive deputy for the commanding general, U.S. Army Materiel Command, at Redstone Arsenal, Alabama.
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McAlester Army Ammunition Plant is the Department of Defense's premier bomb- and warhead-loading facility. It is vital to ammunition stockpile management and delivery to the Joint Warfighter for training and combat operations. MCAAP 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, activities and ammunition plants.
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