IAAP evacuates facility Thursday

MIDDLETOWN – Employees at the Iowa Army Ammunition plant in Middletown were sent home abruptly Thursday at around noon.
According to reports from employees who asked not be named, staff were told to gather belongings and leave the facility immediately.
A statement from Joint Munitions Command at Rock Island Arsenal said operations have been temporarily paused at the facility.
"As part of our unwavering commitment to the safety of our workforce and the local community, the Iowa Army Ammunition Plant will temporarily pause operations to conduct a proactive safety review," wrote Justine Barati, Director of Public and Congressional Affairs.
"This precautionary step will allow a dedicated team of experts to thoroughly assess on-site storage procedures and ensure that all safety protocols are being met. The temporary pause allows this important work to be conducted with the utmost care and attention.  Access to the site will be restricted at this time."
Barati also wrote that the move was out of an abundance of caution.
"Our top priority is, and always will be, the well-being of our employees and the surrounding community. We are taking this proactive step out of an abundance of caution and are committed to maintaining the highest safety standards in all of our operations."
She said additional information could be forthcoming as it becomes available.
A spokeswoman at the Des Moines County Sheriff’s office said they received an email indicating the evacuation was out of “an abundance of caution” and there was an internal issue, but no threat to the general public.
The U.S. Department of Defense announced in August that the Army Contracting Command at Rock Island, Illinois, had signed a $635.2 million agreement with MSM Group North America to add a new production line at the facility.
That project calls for the Florida-based company to design, construct, and bring online a load, assemble, and pack facility and the contract was funded through Army allocations in the Fiscal Year 2024 and 2025 defense budgets.
IAAP has been in operation since its 1941 opening under the name Iowa Ordnance Plant. Today, it remains a cornerstone of U.S. military readiness, manufacturing medium- and large-caliber ammunition for the Department of Defense.