ROCK ISLAND ARSENAL, IL--Milan Army Ammunition Plant held its change of responsibility ceremony between outgoing commander, Lt. Col. Norbert Fochs, and Britt Locke, civilian executive assistant on June 4, 2013, in Milan, Tenn. Locke became the first civilian to lead the Joint Munitions Command's Milan plant.
Locke brings 30 years of civilian service to his new role as CEA. Locke will provide continuity for Milan AAP as it continues to evolve. He will oversee the contract with American Ordnance and supervise the plant's government staff. His appointment as commander's representative reflects the Army's faith in his managerial skills and his history of working with the Milan community. His previous positions at the Milan AAP include: chief of the Industrial Operations Division, supervisor of production operations, and project engineer.
Col. Linwood Clark, commander, Crane Army Ammunition Activity, served as the reviewing official at the ceremony. Clark said that Fochs was assigned as the commander of Milan AAP based on his proven track record of excellence, and thanked him for a job well done.
Clark also stated that Locke was his first choice for the job as CEA, and he has complete confidence in Locke's ability to continue to lead the organization in his new role.
Fochs' thanked all current and past employees at Milan for their service to the nation.
"We need to focus on the future of Milan as a site for commercial tenants. … We are looking forward and moving forward," Fochs said.
Fochs also thanked the citizens of the City of Milan and surrounding communities for their patience and support as Milan transitioned from a production site to a location for commercial tenants.
While having mixed emotions about leaving the Milan family, Fochs prepares for his next assignment in Washington, DC.
He told members of the community that "It's been a great two years, a great time spent here with my family. You make this a great place to live and work. You have made this a home for us," Fochs said.
Recognizing his status as the first civilian to lead Milan as manager, Locke doesn't lose sight of the priorities at hand.
"I'm looking towards the future of opportunities for Milan. Three hundred people still come to the plant to work here daily," Locke said.
"Milan AAP will be an important economic engine to the surrounding community. We are actively recruiting a diverse mix of manufacturing and logistics tenants. I am encouraged by the support we've received from the local community and the state," Locke said.
The new management structure at Milan AAP parallels that at Holston Army Ammunition Plant, Kingsport, Tenn., where an Army civilian oversees the government staff and the contract with BAE Systems.
The Army is moving the military position to Letterkenny Munitions Center, Chambersburg, Pa. The Joint Munitions Command had wanted for some time to have a military commander at Letterkenny MC, but did not have enough military positions. Letterkenny MC is the primary center for distributing training ammunition to Army units in the northeastern region of the United States, and is a major storage and distribution center for missiles, in which role its proximity to Dover Air Force Base, Del., and McGuire Air Force Base, N.J., is an important attribute.
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