TOOELE ARMY DEPOT (TEAD), Tooele, Utah -- Tooele County Commissioners; Mr. Shawn Milne, Mr. Wade Bitner and Mr. Myron Bateman, made their first official visit as a group to the U.S. Army Base, Tooele Army Depot, Tooele, Utah, on the afternoon of April 7.

The intent of the visit was to familiarize them on the current missions and the future viability of the Depot.

As the commissioners were greeted by Col. Roger L. McCreery, TEAD commander, and staff, where they received a Depot overview briefing, followed by discussions regarding the following: Depot's overall mission capabilities making them Department of Defense's (DoD) western region conventional ammunition hub (the only ammunition installation west of Oklahoma) supporting the Soldier readiness through superior shipping, receiving, storage, demilitarization and renovation of conventional ammunition and the unique design, manufacture, fielding and maintenance of ammunition peculiar equipment (APE); future plans on alternative energy and becoming Net Zero by 2018, with the use of two, 1.5 megawatt wind turbines and 429 each (1.5 megawatts) Stirling Solar Array PowerDishes; economic impact with a total operating budget of $64 million, with 76 percent of the civilian workforce living in Tooele County; and current and future plans to invest in 1942 era infrastructure.

The Depot has received DoD funding through the Facilities Sustainment, Restoration and Modernization (SRM) Program for approximately $26 million to replace water tanks, water mains and lines, repair of ammunition storage and maintenance warehouses. Future unfunded projects through this source have been planned to repair and upgrade the Depot's internal railroad lines.

"It's all about the people -- my job has always been to take care of every single employee, every day, that conduct these missions in support of the nation's security posture," stated Col. McCreery.

Col. McCreery explained to the commissioners that he has six major fiscal year 2015 priorities: Shape, train, and equip the workforce to support Joint Force 2025; provide ammunition logistics support (always…on time…right quantity…right cost); provide the world with unique ammunition peculiar equipment (APE); promote energy initiatives -- posture for Net Zero; evolve and innovate in the face of future uncertainties by promoting business development and continuous improvement; and again to take care of the workforce through safety, quality work environment and Sexual Harassment/Assault Awareness Programs."

After discussions between commissioners and Depot senior leaders, they were given the opportunity to tour the Depot proper. First stop, the Ammunition Equipment Manufacturing Facilities where Don Fanning, Director of Ammunition Equipment, explained the uniqueness of the ammunition peculiar equipment (APE) that was on display, which is equipment specially designed to work in an ammunition environment and is all safety-inspected and certified.

Next stop, the Depot's Alternative Energy Corridor. Tom Turner, TEAD Garrison Manager, spoke about the past projects already in place; a 1.5 megawatt wind turbine that was built in 2010, 14 buildings with Solar Walls, installation of Culinary Heat Pump, fuel oil conversion to natural gas, boiler and HVAC replacements. Current projects; 429 Solar Array PowerDishes, a second 1.8 megawatt wind turbine, and a Micro Grid and Energy Management Control System to store additional power generated. The second wind turbine is scheduled to break ground this summer.

The visit ended with a briefing and demonstration of the Ammunition Operations' shipping and receiving capabilities. Mike Bennett, Chief, Shipping and Receiving Division, explained the demonstration of the Depot's "Super-Stacker." The Super-Stacker is a vehicle that is used on a daily basis to preposition ammunition shipping containers for loading ammunition for either rail cars, commercial trucks or stacking in storage for future shipments.

Upon returning to the Depot headquarters, the commissioners expressed their appreciation for an informative look at Tooele Army Depot's capabilities. Also, thanked the commander and staff for what they do every day to support the Soldiers.

About TOOELE ARMY DEPOT: The Tooele Army Depot was established in 1942 as the Tooele Ordnance Depot, and for 72 years it has committed itself to readiness and rapid munitions response for America's allies and warfighters. Tooele Army Depot provides storage, maintenance and logistics capability under the Army's Joint Munitions Command (JMC). The Depot specializes in providing services in ammunition equipment prototype design, development, manufacturing and fielding. The depot also develops innovative Ammunition Peculiar Equipment (APE) used for demilitarization, as well as completing renovation, modification, modernization and maintenance of conventional-type munitions.