Photo By Natasia Kenosky | Lt. Col. Jeffrey Ignatowski, center, receives the Letterkenny Munitions Center colors...... read more read more
CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. – Keeping with Army tradition, Letterkenny Munitions Center welcomed a new commanding officer during an official Change of Command Ceremony, held at the U.S. Army Reserve Center, Letterkenny Army Depot, June 6.
Lt. Col. Jeffrey J. Ignatowski replaced Lt. Col. Trenton J. Conner, who relinquished command of LEMC after two years as the senior leader.
"I want to thank the workforce here at LEMC… Thank you for your tremendous efforts in supplying and maintaining the munitions that keep America safe and our enemies at bay,” said Conner in his farewell remarks. “It has been a privilege to serve as your commander the last two years and any success that I may have in the future is because of your efforts and your hard work.”
For his next assignment, Conner was selected to attend the U.S. Army War College, Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania.
Col. James Hooper, Crane Army Ammunition Activity Commander, served as the official host, and Command Sgt. Maj., Richard A. Huff, Jr., Letterkenny Army Depot, served as the senior enlisted officer in charge of the color guard.
Hooper noted the fine work by Conner and his mastery of Mission Command. He also recognized Conner's efforts in facility modernization and LEMC's environmental initiatives. During Conner's command, LEMC completed construction of the $38 million Ammonium Perchlorate Rocket Motor Disposal facility. This new, one-of-a-kind facility supports demilitarization of AP Based Composite Rocket Motors and the chamber facilitates an environmentally friendly means to dispose of AP based rocket motors. In March 2016, also during his command, LEMC was designated the Center of Industrial and Technical Excellence for Army Tactical Missile System, Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System and Low Cost Reduced Range Practice Rockets by the Secretary of the Army.
Both LEMC and CAAA are subordinate installations of Joint Munitions Command. JMC manages ammunition manufacturing plants and storage depots that provide ammunition to all military services, other federal agencies, as well as to allied nations.
Letterkenny Army Depot was established in 1941 as an ammunition and general supply storage depot. In 1961, its Directorate of Ammunition Operations began supporting Army air defense missiles and Air Force intercept missiles. In 1999, the Directorate of Ammunition Operations was renamed the Letterkenny Munitions Center under command and control of the Crane Army Ammunition Activity. LEMC is a tenant on Letterkenny Army Depot. LEMC occupies approximately 16,000 of the depot's acreage.
“I am enormously overwhelmed with pride and humbled to have been given this opportunity to lead this tremendous organization," said Ignatowski in his welcoming remarks. "This is a huge legacy to nurture and know it is not forgotten."
Prior to his new assignment, Ignatowski spent the previous two years in the 528th Sustainment Brigade (Special Operations) (Airborne), 1st Special Forces Command (Airborne) as the command’s Support Operation Officer, supporting operations in the Middle East and Africa. Ignatowski is a native of Franklin, Wisconsin. He was commissioned through Reserve Officer Training Corps upon graduation from Marquette University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Quality and Performance Engineering Management in May 2000.
Distinguished guests in attendance included Lt. Gen (Retired) Kathleen Gainey; Frank Sullivan, Executive Director of Pennsylvania Military Community Enhancement Commission; Nancy Bull, District Aide, Congressman Bill Shuster's office; Mike Ross, President, Franklin County Area Development Corporation; Amy Weibley, Acting Executive Director, Chamber of Commerce; Robert Thomas, Franklin County Commissioner; Stacy Gregson, Field Representative, Pennsylvania Senator Richard Alloway’s office; Meagan Boushell, District Office Manager, Pennsylvania State Representative Paul Schemel’s office; Col. Deacon Maddox, commander, Letterkenny Army Depot; Col. Bryan Fowler, first commander, Letterkenny Munitions Center; as well as friends and family members from the munitions center staff.
The ceremony featured a color guard provided by the 947th Quartermaster Company, U.S. Army Reserve, an invocation by Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Tyson Wood, Carlisle Barracks, and the playing of the ‘Army Song'. Guests were invited to greet the Ignatowski and Conner families immediately following the conclusion of the event.
LEMC is located on Letterkenny Army Depot and is a Government-Owned, Government-Operated installation. LEMC conducts regional and global distribution of munitions, provides missile maintenance, and conducts demilitarization of munitions for Joint Forces and international partner nations.
| Date Taken: | 06.07.2017 |
| Date Posted: | 06.07.2017 11:06 |
| Story ID: | 236683 |
| Location: | CHAMBERSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA, US |
| Web Views: | 287 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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