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Atlantic Ordnance Command Deploys New Expeditionary Force

Navy Newsstand

1/19/2003 8:25:00 AM

By Journalist 2nd Class Abigail Krueger, Naval Weapons Station Yorktown Public Affairs

NAVAL WEAPONS STATION YORKTOWN, Va. (NNS) -- Atlantic Ordnance Command recently unleashed its newly formed Atlantic Ordnance Command Expeditionary Force (LEF) onto the global scene for its maiden deployment.

Among those to deploy were more than 100 Sailors, mostly Reservists, from all over the East Coast, and all with widely ranging naval backgrounds.

The group was united to form an innovative expeditionary force capable of offering the amenities of a weapons station, but with one difference - the ability to provide ordnance-handling operations in forward locations all over the world.

"For some time, many of us in the ordnance community noticed a need for ordnance expertise in overseas and contingency operations," said Chief Warrant Officer Keith Taylor, Atlantic Ordnance Command, Detachment, Earle Weapons Station, reserve affairs officer. "We realized a program had to be organized that would enable us to provide ordnance handling, accountability, receipt, storage and issue while it's overseas in theatre."

The idea of an expeditionary ordnance force was conceived more than a year ago. "After recognizing its necessity, someone had to take action. So the reserve affairs officers at Atlantic Ordnance Command's several detachments got together and ironed out the details. Then we had to educate the fleet," said Taylor.

The plan was accepted and the ball began rolling, but the first step was identifying people for the task at hand. "Most of the people were chosen for their performance and qualifications, and reserve unit commanding officers played a role in the selection process," said Cmdr. Jim Rooney, officer in charge of the expeditionary force. "They were pulled from the Deployable Ammunition Handling Teams and Deployable Ammunition Reporting Teams, which are drilling units from Atlantic Ordnance Command's weapons station detachments."

As its execution unveiled, Reserve unit members from Earle, Yorktown, and Charleston Weapons Station detachments were combined to make the force. The reservists came from centers in Colts Neck, N.J.; Norfolk, Va.; Charleston, S.C.; Avoca, Pa.; Pittsburgh and Baltimore.

"The end goal of this force is to act as the puzzle piece that's always been missing in ordnance operations overseas, and through all of our training, I believe it's an achievable one," said Chief Petty Officer George Hand, Senior Enlisted Advisor of LEF.

Already on the move to support global operations, LEF is a true testament to the values of dedication and teamwork. According to Taylor, "The Reservists did a tremendous job coming together and are proficient in their mission. We have confidence in our product, and its success will be measured when they start producing on location."