OKMULGEE, Okla. -- Okmulgee Lions received a rare, behind-the-scenes glimpse into an ammunition facility that has been providing munitions for the nation's warfighters since 1943 during a luncheon meeting at the Episcopal Church, here, Oct. 31.
The presentation, "U.S. Naval Ammunition Depot, McAlester, and McAlester Army Ammunition Plant: 1943 to Present", was given by Brian Foris, chief of Business Development for the ammo plant located in McAlester, Oklahoma.
The pictorial presentation began with the transformation of nearly 45,000 acres of ranchlands into an ammunition production and storage facility that was commissioned on May 20, 1943, as the U.S. Naval Ammunition Depot, McAlester.
"One of the decisions made in 1942 was to build the Naval Ammunition Depot and work began that July," Foris said.
"The speed in which they carried out this construction project was amazing. At the peak of construction there were 20,000 people working and, I think, the population of McAlester is under 20,000 today. It's an amazing testimony to the people of southeast Oklahoma."
The presentation highlighted the facility's role in providing munitions for World War II, the Korean War, Vietnam and finally the modern-era, beginning with Operation Desert Storm/Desert Shield in 1990.
It also covered the facility's transition from the U.S. Navy to the U.S. Army under the Single Manager for Conventional Ammunition, Oct. 1, 1977.
Among those attending the meeting were Jim Vaughn, a 95-year-old, retired Air Force veteran who served in World War II, the Korean War and Vietnam War, and Rev. Dr. Christian C. Tiews, a Lions Club board member and pastor of the Trinity Lutheran Church, who served in the German Navy from 1977 to 1978.
"I have received many comments about the program and, in fact, our president, Duaine Janzen, called me that evening praising me for being able to get the [MCAAP] program. It was a wonderful opportunity and privilege to learn what has been in our backyard for the past 75 years, as part of the ongoing protection of our country," said Dean Craig, Lions Club Past District Governor (3-K).
McAlester Army Ammunition Plant will commemorate its 75th year of providing munitions to the nation's warfighters beginning in May 2018.
MCAAP is one of 17 installations of the Joint Munitions Command and one of 23 organic industrial base facilities under the U.S. Army Materiel Command.
Related Links:
McAlester army Ammunition Plant Website
McAlester Army Ammunition Plant Facebook
Related Links:
McAlester army Ammunition Plant Website
McAlester Army Ammunition Plant Facebook
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