FORT HOOD, Texas - After more than a year of renovations to enhance safety inside the ammunition surveillance workshop, the Fort Hood Ammunition Supply Point hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony to reopen the facility here, March 12.
“As we all know, a project like this doesn’t happen overnight and definitely not without persistence, planning and funding,” Lt. Col. Crystal Carberry, commander of the Army Field Support Battalion, explained. “At the end of it all, the stars aligned and what we have here is a vast improvement to our facilities and overall ASP operations.”
Carberry cut the ribbon alongside Sgt. Maj. Brian Diggs, command sergeant major of the Army Field Support Bn.; Jerry Stephens, Army Field Support Bn. deputy; and Lee Stockland with Directorate of Plans, Training, Mobilization and Security.
After being in operation for more than 50 years, the Fort Hood ASP began renovations on Jan. 13, 2020. Carberry said the ammunition surveillance workshop, which was a large open bay, could previously only work on one type of ammunition at a time do to safety concerns. The renovation included the installation of blast walls to allow for multiple units to be processed at the same time.
“The installation of the blast walls will keep our Soldiers and employees safe in the unlikely event of some sort of accident or explosion,” Carberry said. “That’s the most important thing.”
While the Fort Hood ASP was under renovation, Diggs said units had to process their ammunition outside under a canopy, which was difficult during severe weather. The renovated facility will now allow for a faster turn-in process.
“This will definitely improve the overall turn-in process. A lot of Soldiers come up here after being put on a detail,” Carberry explained. “Giving them a safe place to do it, out of the elements, is important. We just want to provide a safe workplace for our Soldiers and employees.”
Another safety feature is the upgraded fire suppression system, which Carberry said will provide a “flood” of water in the event of a fire in the facility. Because fire trucks have a limited water supply, a water storage tank was also installed to aid in fire suppression.
To help improve flow of the office workspace, walls were knocked down in the interior of the facility to give it an open floor plan.
The renovation of the entire facility took 14 months to complete, which Carberry said took a lot of behind-the-scenes work that most people do not know about. She took the opportunity to thank Col. Jason Wesbrock and Command Sgt. Maj. Matthew Ladd, command team of U.S. Army Garrison – Fort Hood, for their support, as well as the support of the Directorate of Public Works and other agencies who made the renovation possible.
“Fort Hood and our garrison partners are true teammates,” Carberry added. “We appreciate all the goes on behind the scenes to provide the very best to our most important customer – the Soldier.”
Social Sharing