McALESTER, Okla. -- The mantle of command transitioned to a new leader at McAlester Army Ammunition Command, here, in southeast Oklahoma, June 21.
Col. Sean M. Herron, who had been the commander for two years, relinquished command to Col. Joseph D. Blanding.
Blanding arrived at MCAAP from the Joint Munitions Command at Rock Island Arsenal, Illinois, where he had been the chief of staff since June 2016. Herron was reassigned to Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina, as the assistant chief of staff for logistics (G4) for U.S. Army Central Command.
Following the passing of the colors, Brig. Gen. Richard B. Dix, event host and commanding general, Joint Munitions Command, broke from the tradition of talking about the outgoing commander's accomplishments by instead focusing on the commanders' families.
"I told both Sean and Joe that today is not about them, it's about their families because I'm a family-oriented guy and I understand that to reach this pinnacle of success, it takes a strong spouse and an even stronger family to stand behind them to help them get to this point in their careers," said Dix.
Dix praised the Herron family, whose son is an Army first lieutenant and daughter is the fiancé of an Air Force officer. He also praised the outgoing commander's spouse, Christy, who as a physical therapist had helped with the rehabilitation of service members at the Pentagon several year before.
The general also commended the Blandings, who have two sons -- one serving as an infantry non-commissioned officer, and another who is a plebe at the U.S. Military Academy.
Herron admitted that he and his spouse, didn't know what they were getting into when they arrived in McAlester from South Korea two years ago.
"We had no idea what kind of national treasure was sitting right here in southeast Oklahoma, quietly producing the munitions our country needs day-in and day-out with little fanfare," said Herron.
"This place, these people, are truly a national treasure."
Rather than doling out individuals kudos, Herron instead kept his remarks uncharacteristically short by thanking groups of people that he said "…without whom this plant would not succeed."
He praised Oklahoma's national, state and local elected officials and their staffs for their support, the local community for embracing his family, Joint Munitions Command and joint service partners for allowing MCAAP to grow its capabilities in support of the nation's warfighters, MCAAP employees for what they do daily, and his spouse for 26 years of unending support.
He saved his final comment for his successor.
"Joe, you have a great mission, a great organization, and great people to accomplish it," Herron said. "We wish you and Tina as much enjoyment during your tour as we have had here."
Blanding thanked Dix for the opportunity to command MCAAP and the Herrons for welcoming him and his spouse into the family.
In closing, Blanding acknowledged MCAAP's position within the U.S. Army Materiel Command's organic industrial base.
"I look forward to leading this great organization of professionals," he said.
The South Carolina native is the 35th commander of the installation since it was commissioned at Naval Ammunition Depot, McAlester, on May 20, 1943. He is the 18th since the facility was turned over to the Army on Oct. 1, 1977.
MCAAP is one of 14 installations of the Joint Munitions Command and one of 23 organic industrial base facilities under the U.S. Army Materiel Command.
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