Yuma Proving Ground’s Ammunition & Armaments Division provides full cycle handling of ammunition

U.S. Army Yuma Proving Ground (YPG) Ammunition & Armaments Division has the dynamic critical responsibility of handling every piece of ammunition at YPG.

U.S. Army Yuma Proving Ground (YPG) Ammunition & Armaments Division has the dynamic critical responsibility of handling every piece of ammunition at YPG. A&A is meticulous about the process that involves tracking ammunition from cradle – its arrival at YPG, to grave—its final disposition, whether that ends in detonation during test, shipping the item or in local demilitarization. This complete oversight ensures safety, accountability and readiness for every test program conducted at the proving ground. Recently the division, managed by Anthony Gingras, received recognition for the quality of its ammunition processes and inspection procedures. “YPG had zero findings for Explosive Safety, Ammunition Accountability and Surveillance during the September FY25 Department of Defense Munitions Logistics, Surveillance and Explosive Safety Review,” explained Gingras.

Samantha Howerton Chief of the Ammunition Management Branch, leads the dedicated team who manages, tracks, codes, issues, prepares, transports and helps test officers in posttest required analysis in support of the installation’s mission. The first stop involves the drop-off, where the ammunition and the transporting truck is inspected and the ammunition inventoried. The truck is then escorted along a designated explosive transportation route to a secure location for further in-processing. The next stop is Ammunition Logistics for checking in and offloading explains Howerton. “Personnel either unload it at fixed docks or use portable docks that can be attached directly