In a ceremonial transfer of authority, the honorable Heidi Shyu, Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology, passes the Army Acquisition Corps flag to the new Picatinny commanding general and PEO Ammunition, Brig. Gen. ...
PICATINNY ARSENAL, N.J. -- Brig. Gen. Jonathan A. Maddux, Picatinny senior commander since February 2009, said good-bye to the Picatinny community during a change of charter ceremony today.
During the ceremony, Maddux relinquished command to incoming Picatinny Senior Commander and Program Executive Officer (PEO) for Ammunition, Brig. Gen. John J. McGuiness.
Congressman Rodney Frelinghuysen of New Jersey's 11th District, Assemblyman Anthony Bucco and Mayor Arthur Ondish of Mount Arlington Borough attended the event. The honorable Heidi Shyu, Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology, presided over the ceremony.
"I think we can all agree that there are many elements to military success, but few -- if any -- are more critical to success on the battlefield than ammunition," Shyu said during the ceremony.
"Through innovation, PEO Ammunition is recognized as a world-class provider of conventional, leap-ahead munitions and counter-IED (improvised explosive device) products to increase combat power of our troops and give them a decisive advantage in all situations," Shyu said. "Leadership of this organization requires an incredible amount of commitment to meeting the ammunition needs of our armed forces and in leading the development, procurement and fielding of these capabilities. Both Jon Maddux and John McGuiness exemplify these traits."
Maddux is departing Picatinny to become the deputy commanding general for support, combined security transition command-Afghanistan. In Afghanistan, he will help support the training and development of the Afghan security forces.
As Picatinny commanding general, Maddux oversaw an installation with more than 5,000 employees and a budget that exceeds $3.4 billion.
He also managed more than 50 materiel releases. Materiel releases signify that new and upgraded Army systems are fit for Soldiers to use.
"We've captured many titles," Maddux said of awards Picatinny has won. "But more importantly, we've produced items that each and every warfighter has down-range."
Prior to moving to Picatinny, McGuiness was the deputy commanding general for the U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command. He was also serving as Senior Commander of the Natick Soldiers System Center, Natick, Mass.
This is McGuiness's second tour at Picatinny. From 1993 to 1996, he was assigned to the Armament Research, Development and Engineering Center as an infantry systems officer and assistant product manager for mortars.
"To be able to come back to a place with so many great memories, combined with the trust and confidence of allowing me to become the PEO, makes this assignment that much extra special. It's truly an honor and a privilege to be here," McGuiness said.
McGuiness's previous assignments included tours as the Product Manager, Bradley Fire Support Vehicle with Program Executive Office Ground Combat Systems, Warren, Mich., and Operation Iraqi Freedom, Iraq.
He also served as Project Manager, Soldier Equipment with Program Executive Office Soldier, Fort Belvoir, Va., and Assistant Deputy for Acquisition and Systems Management for the Assistant Secretary of the Army (Acquisition, Logistics and Technology), Washington, D.C.
Picatinny Arsenal is the Department of Defense's Joint Center of Excellence for Guns and Ammunition. The arsenal provides products and services to all branches of the U.S. military. It has more than 5,000 employees who specialize in research, development, acquisition and life cycle management of advanced conventional weapon systems and advanced ammunition.
More than 90 percent of the Army's armaments and ammunition--including warheads, explosives, all sizes of firearms, battlefield sensors and howitzers--are developed at Picatinny. The arsenal is also noted for its quality processes.
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