New commander takes the reins of Lake City Army Ammunition Plant

INDEPENDENCE, Mo. — The single largest small caliber ammunition production plant within the Department of Defense bid farewell to its outgoing commander and welcomed another to its facility here, July 21.

Lt. Col. Shawn Young relinquished command of Lake City Army Ammunition Plant (LCAAP) to Lt. Col. Christopher J. Denton, under sunny summer skies on the grounds of the plant's headquarters building.

The ceremony's host, Col. Mike Hammond, commander of McAlester Army Ammunition Plant in McAlester, Oklahoma, praised Team Lake City and Young for their accomplishments during his command, which began July 9, 2020.

Hammond said that over the past two years, production and modernization efforts were challenged by a pandemic, supply chain difficulties, and sometimes transportation snags. "Despite all of this, the leadership team of Winchester, the U.S. Army, and more specifically, Lt. Col. Shawn Young, have overcome these challenges and kept Lake City moving towards accomplishing its mission," Hammond said.

"Shawn’s professionalism and ability to manage organized chaos was routinely on display during the Army’s transition to a new squad automatic weapon system and the production of the 6.8 mm rounds for that weapon system," Hammond added. "Your efforts did not go unnoticed and will pay dividends in future wars by making our military forces more lethal."

Hammond also directed praise to Young's wife, Kim. "Thanks to you for your continued sacrifice and supporting Shawn while he led this organization. None of this was possible without your support."

The focus of the ceremony then shifted to introducing Lake City's new commander, Lt. Col. Denton, who previously served at the Pentagon on the Army Staff as the Logistics Branch Chief in the G-3/5/7 Special Operations Division. Hammond said that Denton has a reputation as a strategic thinker, an invaluable attribute that makes him more than fit for the challenges that lie ahead.

"Chris, Amy (Denton's wife), welcome to Lake City. It's about to get real!" Hammond said. "I look forward to working with you to continue our vital mission."

Denton said that he looks forward to working with each member of the Lake City Team and the organizations that play a critical role to provide lethality to warfighters across the entire Department of Defense.

Denton then transferred his attention to his predecessor in command.

"I would like to take a moment to publicly thank Lt. Col. Young, said Denton. "Shawn, I couldn't have asked for a better transition from you and the entire team. I am inspired by your leadership and the culture you have created here. I am excited as I look forward to building upon the legacy of the Lake City Army Ammunition Plant and continuing the success that you and the team have had over the past two years."

Denton's military education includes the Transportation Officer Basic Course, the Combined Logistics Captains Career Course, and Intermediate Level Education at the Army Command and General Staff College. He is also a graduate of the Airborne, Air Assault, Pathfinder, Mortuary Affairs Officer, Division Transportation Officer, and Support Operations Officer courses. He holds a bachelor's degree from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and a master's degree from the University of Kansas.

LCAAP is the Defense Department's largest small caliber ammunition production facility. It is a government-owned, contractor-operated facility, run by contractor Olin Winchester, LLC.

LCAAP is a subordinate command of McAlester Army Ammunition Plant and is one of 16 installations within the Joint Munitions Command. JMC’s processes provide for the efficient delivery of ammunition at the right place and time to support global operations.