Crane Army Kicks Off Depot and Arsenal Assessment Program

By Mr. Thomas Peske (AMC)June 2, 2009

CRANE, Ind. - Crane Army Ammunition Activity began the three-day Depot and Arsenal Assessment Program yesterday in Bloomington, Ind., with a welcome dinner at a local restaurant.

The program, designed to provide the Army Materiel Command with a greater look at the various Joint Munitions Command depots and arsenals, is being attended by AMC Deputy Commanding General Lt. Gen. James Pillsbury, as well as representatives from AMC, JMC and depot commanders.

While the atmosphere at the restaurant was jovial, the serious intent of the program was emphasized by both Pillsbury and the event's host. In his opening remarks, Crane Army Commander Col. Charles Kibben stated that he looked forward to presenting a total view of Crane and use the attendees' collective experiences and knowledge to improve the way Crane Army does business.

Pillsbury spoke to the group about the opportunity to look at what Crane does right and what it could improve upon, so that all the people could learn. He said, "Take a look around (at the people in the room), if we cannot solve problems at Crane, Tooele, Blue Grass, Pine Bluff, McAlester, Corpus... if we can't solve problems nobody can. There hasn't been a time in my 36 years in the Army where an Army organization said I can't."

CAAA was established in Oct. 1977 and is a tenant of the Navy Region Midwest, Naval Support Activity Crane. The Army activity maintains ordnance professionals and infrastructure to receive, store, ship, produce, renovate and demilitarize conventional ammunition, missiles and related components.