MIDDLETOWN, IA. - Lt. Col. Daniel Nosse, commander of Iowa Army Ammunition Plant, hosted an informal open house at the Armed Forces Reserve Center in Middletown, Iowa.
Nosse and key Army leaders welcomed nearly 200 residents and community leaders to share the most recent information about the planned controlled detonation of lead azide that will occur at IAAAP. The event, with overwhelmingly positive interactions, demonstrates the Army’s commitment to maintaining open and transparent communication with the American people.
The open house provided attendees with an inside look at the Army’s ongoing coordination surrounding the planned controlled detonation of lead azide material currently stored at IAAAP. Attendees moved from table to table, learning more about EPA permitting and steps being taken to reduce environmental impact; opportunities for sampling and testing of air, soil, water; agricultural land stewardship; right of entry permissions; post-detonation assessments; and safety measures for residents during the detonation. Subject matter experts from Army Corps of Engineers and Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal team were available in person to answer questions.
The open house served both as a public outreach opportunity and an informal engagement with residents and officials. The event was a significant step forward in fostering transparency, addressing community questions, and sharing critical information about safety for residents during the detonation.
Among the safety protocols discussed were temporary evacuation measures for nearby households. Due to the potential for localized damage, residents in Middletown City Park neighborhood are recommended to temporarily vacate the area during the detonation. “The detonation will take approximately four hours,” said Justine Barati, public and congressional affairs specialist, Army Sustainment Command. “We have secured the Armed Forces Reserve Center during those four hours; we welcome residents and their pets to visit the center during that time,” said Barati.
Community inquiries centered on several key areas: potential property impacts, environmental monitoring protocols, execution timelines, and how the controlled detonation differs from standard operations conducted at the plant. Subject-matter experts also answered questions regarding safety measures, coordination processes, and environmental safeguards designed to protect both on-site workers and surrounding communities.
Operationally, the event advanced several critical actions necessary to meet the detonation timeline. “A representative from the Omaha Corps of Engineers secured 28 right of entry forms from private homeowners during the open house,” said Nosse. “In coordination with the City of Middletown, all documents shared with guests during the open house were posted to the city’s Facebook page immediately following the event.”
The Middletown Facebook page can be found here: https://www.facebook.com/Middletown.Iowa.”
The team also enrolled numerous residents in opt-in communication channels for continued updates. ASC is generating an email distribution list to ensure communication remains a top priority as the team works to schedule a detonation date. To assist with frequent and timely communication, the following website is being used to post important information: https://www.army.mil/asc#org-iowa-army-ammunition-plant.
Moving forward, the Army’s priorities include processing the remaining ROEs and distributing additional information to registered community members, the media, and city officials ahead of setting the public detonation date.
Coordination with the EPA for permitting actions associated with the planned controlled detonation remains on track. The agency continues to provide meaningful feedback on the Army’s permit application, ensuring the best path forward for everyone.
“Overall, this was a very successful event,” Barati said. “It was a great opportunity for community engagement and understanding the path forward.”
IAAAP, a subordinate organization of Army Sustainment Command under Army Materiel Command, continues to serve as one of the Army’s premier ammunition production facilities, sustaining readiness while maintaining a strong partnership with Southeast Iowa communities.
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