Original Date: 06/23/1997
Revision Date: 01/18/2007

Changes to the mission of the Directorate of Ammunition Operations (DAO) have resulted in the reclassification of the position of Production Equipment Mechanic. The original mission required that equipment mechanics provide maintenance and support to the DAO by maintaining the Ammunition Peculiar Equipment (APE) which was being used for local Depot operations at the time. Modifications or alterations to this equipment were not allowed at the local level, and control was provided by a single manager at Industrial Operations Command.

To support this program at Letterkenny Army Depot (LEAD), the machine shop within the DAO was staffed with one welder, one tool and die maker, and three production equipment mechanics. Recent changes to LEAD’s mission have resulted in changes to the type of munitions being handled by the DAO. Missiles have replaced conventional ammunition, and the need for APE no longer exists. This change resulted in the need to reclassify the position of the Production Equipment Mechanic to more closely describe the type of work now being performed at that level. The position now requires the mechanic to be readily responsive and innovative. The person must be versatile; multi- skilled; and able to design, fabricate, and install unique missile handling tooling and equipment as required for LEAD to perform its new mission. The DAO has recently reclassified two mechanics to the position of toolmaker.

These two positions have replaced the original five positions resulting in closer and more direct support to the DAO. The positions significantly reduced reliance on support from other agencies and provided the DAO with the necessary resources to perform LEAD’s current mission.

For more information see the Point of Contact for this survey.