INDEPENDENCE, Mo.- With flags from all 50 states as a background, Lt. Col. Lisa Keough assumed command of Lake City Army Ammunition Plant (LCAAP) July 27 from Lt. Col. Christopher Day in an outdoor ceremony at the ammunition plant.
Day's next assignment will be as a member of the Joint Staff, J4 at the Joint Logistics Operations Center, Pentagon. Keough's last assignment was with the 13th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) as the distribution management center chief for deployment to Joint Base Balad, Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
The change of command was a community event with the color guard provided by the Air Force JROTC from Lee's Summit West High School and students from the Blue Springs High School serving as ushers.
With high temperatures and sweltering humidity about 250 plant employees, city officials, congressional representatives, military officials, veterans' organizations, family and friends attended the 30 minute ceremony which began at 10 a.m. The ammunition plant has about 2,500 employees.
In his farewell remarks, Day praised the work ethic and accomplishments of the ammunition plant's employees.
"The Lake City workforce is absolutely phenomenal; they are selfless, hardworking, honest and dedicated to our mission. They know our Soldiers count on them. They truly are what defines LCAAP," Day said.
Producing 1.9 billion rounds annually, almost five million rounds daily, Lake City Army Ammunition Plant impacts nearly every member of all military services including our nation's coalition and allied partners, he said. While on the local level, LCAAP has an economic impact that is conservatively estimated at $250 million, Day told the crowd.
Col. Timothy Beckner, commanding officer, McAlester Army Ammunition Plant, was the guest of honor and recognized Day for his leadership while at LCAAP.
"Commanding Lake City Army Ammunition Plant requires a special skill and leadership style that you have uniquely demonstrated during your time here. You led this organization to achieving continued excellence in every aspect . . .," Beckner said.
Some of Day's accomplishments include acquiring significant funding resulting in increased production of vital .50 caliber rounds by 126 percent. Additionally, that funding also allowed the rapid set-up and production of the new 5.56mm lead free slug.
The new round includes improved hard-target capability, more dependable, consistent performance at all distances, improved accuracy, reduced muzzle flash and a higher velocity.
LCAAP is the sole producer of small arms ammunition for DoD and is a government-owned, contractor-operated facility operated by Alliant Techsystems Inc., under a fixed price supply contract. The plant is located on 3,935 acres. The facility has a total of 511 structures with over 420 buildings being utilized in active day-to-day fabrication, manufacturing and testing of small arms.
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