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BLACK HILLS ORDNANCE DEPOT

SURVEILLANCE BRANCH


Surveillance - The observation, inspection, investigation, test, study and classification of ammunition, ammunition components, and explosives, with respect to their serviceability, hazard, and rate of deterioration.
(From TM 9-1904, Ammunition Inspection Guide, 2 March 1944)

Ammunition Inspectors Workshop - A special building at an ordnance depot equipped and located to permit all normal surveillance inspections to be made therein. The ammunition workshop at the newer depots is consucted in accordance with approved ordnance drawing 19-3-359.
(From TM 9-1904, Ammunition Inspection Guide, 2 March 1944)


The Igloo Magazine

Igloo Magazine


Vol. 4 No. 21 page 5 June 2, 1944

Fifth War Loan Drive

The Fifth War Loan Drive will start officially at this Depot on June 1, 1944, and end on July 31st. Following is a list of the Supervisors and Minute Men of the various divisions who will conduct this 5th War Loan campaign:

Surveillance Branch: Minute Man, D. A. Scott.



The Walrus


The Walrus


Vol. 1 No. 41 pages 1 and 2 Oct. 17, 1952

Surveillance Section Employees Are Ammunition 'Watch Dogs' At BHOD

by Harry D. Mytinger

The Surveillance Section is known here both by its correct name and the frequently used term, "Inspection". Webster defines surveillance as "the act of watching, so as to control" and as "watching over something, especially as over an object or source of danger". There two definitions in a general way, define surveillance as regards to ammunition. Actually, however, ammunition surveillance includes observations, inspections, tests and investigations of ammunition, ammunition components (or parts), and explosives during manufacture, storage, shipment and use for safety, serviceability and rate of deterioration, if any.

There are approximately seventy-three employees in the Ammunition Inspection Office, of whom twelve are Ammunition (Surveillance) Inspectors, six Inspector trainees, five clerical personnel, one Ammunition and Explosives General Foreman, three foreman, twenty-four line loading inspectors, fourteen explosive operators, five ammunition destroyers, one toolkeeper and one equipment operator. Ammunition (Surveillance) Inspector personnel include C. D. Calvert, Chief, Ammunition Inspector, and the following Ammunition (Surveillance) Inspectors: Harry D. Mytinger, Stanley W. McCowen, Ralph L. White, Kenneth E. Nogle, Orrin R. Armstrong, Ray A. Underhill, Verner I. Clark, Jr., Lloyd S. Mesteth, John C. Palmer and Henry C. Stone. The office is very ably manned by Ingrid Burke, Edith Bennett, Lillian Boltz, Diana Shepard, and Fred Britts. Inspector trainees (in training prior to assignment to Ammunition Inspector's School) are: Blaine E. Cuckler, Robert O. Byram, Lyle O. Donaldson, Donald L. Elsasser, Jerome E. Lenz, and Calvin A. Neiss. Harold E. Peterson is our Ammunition and Explosives General Foreman.

Ammunition Inspectors at Ordnance establishments, such as Black Hills Ordnance Depot, are employees of the Ordnance Corps at large. They are technical specialists who, by both training and experience, are qualified to conduct ammunition surveillance activities. The Chief of Ordnance prescribes training for and assigns Ammunition Inspectors to the various Ordnance establishments. The normal tour of duty at any one installation is usually for a period of two to three years.

Their duties and responsibilities are quite diversified. Some of these duties will be both enlightening and of interest. Ammunition Inspectors act as technical advisers to the Commanding Officer on all matters pertaining to surveillance and safety in connection with storage, handling, shipping, assembling, loading, preserving, reconditioning, renovating, salvaging, and destroying ammunition for compliance with existing safety regulations and other pertinent orders, directives, instructions, and regulations. In other words, "explosive safety" is of paramount concern. No matter what the operation or procedure may be, the first thought of Surveillance is always. "Is it safe?" The "Ordnance Safety Manuel" is the Surveillance guide in safety requirements and is often called the inspectors "Bible". It has been said that each page of the "Ordnance Safety Manuel" was written in the blood of past experience. The two main factors which an inspector considers when determining a safe practice are, safety of personnel, and safety of ammunition. With respect to personnel he is constantly on the alert to forestall any unsafe practice, one which might cause injury to, or death of a worker. In the case of ammunition, it is to see that it is handled, stored, and shipped in such a manner that deterioration, damage, fires or explosions do not occur. Any conflict involving safety and production is always resolved in favor of safety. Safety comes first above all other considerations. Ammunition is manufactured for only one purpose to kill. Ammunition handled in the right manner is safe; handled in an an unsafe manner, it will serve its intended purpose, the destruction of life and property.

Ammunition Inspectors have been called by many different names, and at times have been most vividly described. But, pause for a moment. He is your best friend on the job. Welcome the periodic inspection of the Ammunition Inspector He is not trying to hamper production, rather he is trying to assist production, since safety, efficiency and production go hand-in-hand.

For the benefit of those who may have questions regarding the story behind some of our depot activities, the following general information should be of interest. All ammunition on the depot is inspected by the Ammunition Inspectors once each year. This is accomplished on a sampling basis. Based upon the results of these inspections, determination of degree of serviceability is largely made. These results are forwarded to higher headquarters, who either select the lots for retention in storage and for shipments, if serviceable, or authorize modification or renovation if our reports so indicate. Ammunition we destroy is that which has been authorized for destruction by higher headquarters, usually because of its being unserviceable-irreparable or hazardous in storage. The large booms (explosions) you hear is the destruction of this ammunition.

Always remember, the mission of this depot concerns ammunition primarily, which can be safe or dangerous, depending upon the treatment the ammunition receives here, either while in storage or during handling. Respect your ammunition, and be assured that the Surveillance people are here both to safeguard you, as well as the complete safety of this installation.



The Walrus


Vol. 2 No. 13 page 4 Mar. 27, 1953

College Grads Invited To Become Ammo Inspectors

Excellant opportunities for advanced specialized and technical training in the field of ammunition inspection were made possible recently by the Ordnance Corps of the Department of the Army with the U. S. Civil Service Commission. This new program set up by the Ordnance Corps is one to recruit college graduates for Ammunition Inspector (Surveillance) positions at the trainee level, GA-5 at #3410 per year.

According to the training program established, qualified persons will be given 12 weeks pre-school training at Black Hills Ordnance Depot, promoted to GS-6 positions at $3795 a year and sent to Savanna Ordnance Depot, Savanna, Illinois, for a six-month course in technical instruction. - - - course, trainees will be promoted to the GS-7 grade level at $4205 a year, either immediately or not to exceed six months after the course is completed.

To qualify, applicants must be graduated with a degree either in the fields of science or engineering, specifically, chemistry, chemical engineering, physics, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, and allied fields, or have completed work equivalent to a major in the scientific or engineering fields specified, for example, a degree in education with a major in chemistry.

Copies of the announcement and letters were sent to responsible officials at the various accredited colleges and Universities in South Dakota, North Dakota and Minnesota, inviting interested persons qualifying to make application at Black Hills Ordnance Depot. The exact dates of the school at Savanna, Ill., have not as yet been announced.


The Walrus

Vol. 2 No. 21 page 1 May 22, 1953

Inspection Chief


Inspection Chief

First Lieutenant Chadford C. Conway, Ordnance Corps, recently arrived at the Depot to assume charge of the Ammunition Inspection Branch.

With the exception of a ten-month break in 1946, Lt Conway, a West Virginian, has had ten years of wervice in the Army starting in the Airborne Sercive in 1942.

Following seven years with the 82nd Airborne Division he was commissioned in 1949 and transferred to Ordnance and sent to the Aberdeen Ordnance School.

After completing his course in Maryland training center he went overseas where he was stationed at Wels, Austria, until March of this year.

The Conways have two children, Mark, just a year old; and Sherry, age five.


The Walrus

Vol. 2 No. 21 page 1 May 22, 1953

Ammunition Inspection Gets Award


Surveillance award

A proud group of ammunition inspectors looks on as their Chief, D. C. Calvert, receives a Fifth Army Safety Award Certificate from the Commanding Officer, Colonel H. G. Hamilton. The award was given in recognition of the Ammunition Inspection Office's Achievement of no loss time injuries in a year. The personnel, gathered for the occasion, left to right: C. Turnquist, F. Mathes, S. Skaar, the Safety director, J. Lenz, T. Ryan, E. Hauk, R. Elsasser, O. McCroskey, E. Wright, A. Hoffer, A. Smith, P. Simonson, H. Pederson C. Dunsmore, C. Gray, H. Layton, L. Donaldson, O. Olson, H. Stone and H. Peterson.


The Walrus


Vol. 2 No. 42 page 7 Oct. 16, 1953

Surveillance Division


by Fred Britts

- - -

Joe Rivera has assumed his duties here as Ammunition Surveilance Inspector. He recently transferred from Wingate Ordnance Depot, Gallup, New Mexico. Welcome to BHOD, Joe!

- - -



The Walrus


Vol. 2 No. 48 page 1 Nov. 27, 1953

At Surveillance


Blaine Hunter

Blaine H. Hunter, who replaced Clifton Gray as Assistant Chief of Surveillance, hails from Ogden, Utah, and is proud that he is an alumnus of Utah State. Hunter has had long experience in the explosives field with his career in ammo starting in 1940, when he became an inspector at Ogden Arsenal. Following a three year hitch in the Marine Corps, with which he spent most of the time in the Pacific Theatre, he became ammo inspector at Tooele Ordnance Depot, Tooele, Utah. In 1949 he was transferred to the Benicia Arsenal at Benicia, California, and then had a two year tour of duty at Landes, France, with the Capiteaux Ordnance Depot. Mr. and Mrs. Hunter returned to the States and came to BHOD this fall. There are three little Hunters, Michael, 10, Brent, 8 and Scott, 5.



The Walrus


Vol. 5 No. 18 page 1 May 2, 1957

Surveillance Awards

COLONEL DON M. HOFFMAN Commanding Officer of Black Hills Ordnance Depot, presents
Edward J. Bradshaw, Ammunition Inspector of the Surveillance Inspection Branch,
a certificate representative of five years of no man hour loss of time due to injury
for the entire branch of 60 employees. Mr. Bradshaw accepted the award for
James H. McClurg who was attending a Guided Missile Training Course at
Savanna Ordnance Depot at Savanna, Illinois.
(Photo by Schuler)



The Walrus


Vol. 5 No. 39 page 1 Oct. 3, 1957

Surveillance Awards

Mr. Ime Rose, Chief of Surveillance Division, looks happy when Colonel L. R. MacAdam hands him
19 award cards for the same number of his employees who have worked three years with no injuries of any kind.
Mr. Rose should be happy and proud for his Division has worked five full years with no lost time injuries.
(Photos by Schuler)


Dec. 24, 1947; Harold L. Hamilton, Chief Ammunition Inspecto to Milan Arsenal, Tenn.
Dec. 23, 1947; Sol Cohen from Milan Arsenal
March. 10, 1948; Sol Cohen to San Jacinto Ordnance Depot, TX
March. 10, 1948; Ferdinand Glomb from Anniston Ordnance Depot, AL




 

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