Tooele Army Depot, Utah – Tooele Army Depot recently hosted the Commanding General of the Joint Munitions Command, Brig. Gen. Dan J. Duncan. The visit gave TEAD leadership the opportunity to showcase much of the important work being conducted to deliver ready combat formations and to reimagine the Organic Industrial Base.
During the tour of some of TEAD’s industrial and ammunition operations, Duncan and JMC Command Sgt. Maj. Paul J. Ellis were accompanied by Col. Luke R. Clover, TEAD commander; Traci Rydalch, TEAD deputy to the commander; and other TEAD officials.
Prior to Duncan’s arrival, Col. Clover said, “I’m looking forward to Brig. Gen. Duncan’s visit today. We’re excited to show him our wide variety of technical and materiel operations, capabilities, and facilities, TEAD’s many contributions to the Organic Industrial Base.” He added, “We have a highly trained and very skilled and dedicated workforce at TEAD. I’m proud of our people, and I want Brig. Gen. Duncan to see the work they do to support our nation’s Joint Warfighter.”
TEAD was established in 1942 due to the need for expanded ammunition storage and distribution capabilities during World War II. That is still the main mission at TEAD today. TEADs efficient, responsive, and dependable capability to receive, store, and ship munitions to the Joint Warfighter is critical to preparing combat theaters with forward positioning of equipment and munitions.
Duncan was taken to an ammunition outload pad in TEAD’s storage area. At the pad, modernized with a large, permanent, canopy providing protection from the elements, there were thousands of palettized munitions being quickly and safely packed into nearly a dozen shipping containers prior to being loaded onto trucks or trains for distribution.
Brig. Gen. Duncan said, “It’s been a good first-hand look. I’m most impressed with the outload, and the standard depot ops piece of it; because, I think, that’s your calling card, so to speak. We have a lot of other really, really, important things going on, but when it comes down to putting munitions on a ship, getting them out of here, that piece is really impressive.”
Duncan’s tour of TEAD also included a short road trip to TEAD’s South Area, more than 19,000-acre parcel geographically detached and separated from TEAD’s North Area by 16 miles. At the South Area, Duncan was provided with a look inside some earth-covered magazines, which recently received modernization upgrades to include a new roadway, expanded loading/unloading pads, and dehumidifiers. The heated ECMs are the first ever within the OIB to be fitted with dehumidification units, which maintain a consistently dry environment for the long-term storage of munitions. Along with excellent conventional munitions handling capabilities, TEAD is also trusted with state-of-the art, high-tech munitions. TEADs capability of providing lethal and reliable munitions is critical for U.S. superiority on the battlefield.
As TEAD is the Center for Industrial and Technical Excellence for Ammunition Peculiar Equipment, it was important for Duncan to see TEAD’s manufacturing capabilities including high-tech fabrication machines. Duncan observed the powerful Laser Jet, cutting 1-inch-thick steel parts for Mercury Ton Containers, and the precise multi-Axis CNC (Computer Numerical Control Machining) Lathes producing grenade tops and bottoms. One of TEAD’s primary APE products, the APE 1408 Small Arms Ammunition Safety Certification Unit, as well as parts for its sister machine, the APE 1410 Brass Deformer, were also on display for his inspection.
TEAD also provides lethality for our nation’s Joint Warfighter through various weapons maintenance operations. Duncan watched as TEAD technicians inspected, cleaned, and calibrated a U.S. Navy munitions asset in a clean-room free of static interference and other contaminants. Upon hearing that TEAD technicians had improved the asset by suggesting that the installation of an access port would simplify programming, which the Navy adopted, Duncan said, “That’s the advantage of a government workforce. They are always looking for ways to make things better.”
TEAD has several public-private partnerships and constantly looks for opportunities to increase P3 relationships. The tour took Duncan to TEAD’s Energetics Test Range where TEAD provides explosive-rated, state-of-the-art facilities for one of its P3’s, Safety Management Services. SMS is recognized globally for its risk management services, providing proven safety protocols for hazardous items transportation.
At the Energetics Test Range, a trained and skilled member of Team TEAD assists SMS with conducting a wide variety of testing involving energetic, flammable, and oxidizing substances. As an example of reimagining the OIB, Duncan noted, “That’s a great partnership. TEAD has a geographic setup that is perfect for this type of partnership. It’s mutually beneficial.” Later he added, “I thought it was really interesting to learn about (your partnership with SMS) and the really diverse portfolio of things that you have.”
In another P3 partnership, TEAD has an important role in the integration of loitering munitions systems. At the facility where several TEAD technicians were busily integrating loitering munitions warheads and prepping them for transport, Duncan observed how much manual labor was involved, noting the many technical components required that amount of effort. “These munitions have been a gamechanger on the battlefield. We’re changing the direction of modern warfare,” he said. “This is awesome; it’s a great project.”
The last industrial operation highlighted on the tour was the modification of target practice rounds for use with the 120 mm smoothbore M256 cannon used on the M1 Abrams tank. Trained TEAD employees were modifying existing munitions that had not been functioning properly when deployed by Soldiers in the field. TEAD engineers identified the issue and designed modifications to resolve it. Duncan observed as the modifications, tested and proven by TEAD munitions experts, were applied to the rounds.
Summing up his visit, Duncan said, “It’s great to come here and meet the people who actually make it happen. You have a lot of innovative ideas. You are able to work with very old legacy-type munitions operations, but also with items on the cutting edge of weapons technology.”
“I’ve always been impressed with this team. You guys are the quiet professionals. You just get stuff done. And I know when (Col. Clover) sends me a note, I know you’ve done your homework. You’ve got a fantastic reputation within JMC,” Duncan said.
Clover responded, “I won the lottery when I was assigned to command this Depot. It has been incredible getting to know the wholesale side of the Munitions Enterprise at this level, as well as the team members that make it happen in such a professional manner.”
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