CRANE, Ind. - Crane Army Ammunition Activity Commander Col. Charles Kibben provided an audience at the "State of Crane" luncheon Jan. 30 with a strong look at where the activity is today and what it might be expecting in the future.
The luncheon, sponsored by the Crane chapters of the Federally Employed Women and the Federal Managers Association, provided the leaders of Crane Army and Navy commands a chance to lay out their vision for the future. Although not done annually, FEW and FMA try to host the event every few years to provide its members with a strong look at the current state and future of Team Crane.
Highlighting the progress CAAA has made, Kibben stated the activity has received one of the largest amounts of money in its 30 year history, including $123 million in new work orders for fiscal year 2008. In response to the increase in work, Kibben said the activity has hired 72 new employees.
He also told the crowd that while Crane Army has enjoyed a period of growth and increased business, it needed to be prepared for that growth to stabilize.
"Change is coming and everyone who accepts it will be in a better shape in the future," Kibben said. "What we will have to do is stop looking at the challenges that are out there and look for the opportunities."
Some of those opportunities Kibben indicated might be on the horizon are increased partnerships with the Navy, in areas such as research and development. He also stated there was an opportunity for growth in demilitarization in the future for those who seek it out now.
Praising his facilities and employees, Kibben stated that as long as CAAA looks to the future and seeks out opportunities it will remain viable and in place to take care of the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines.
In addition to Crane Army, Crane Naval Surface Warfare Center, Naval Facilities Engineering Command MW Public Works Department Crane and FISC Norfolk, Supply Management Department MW Crane were also represented by their leaders.
CAAA was established in Oct. 1977 and is a tenant of the Navy Region Midwest, Naval Support Activity Crane. The Army activity maintains ordnance professionals and infrastructure to receive, store, ship, produce, renovate and demilitarize conventional ammunition, missiles and related components.
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