McAlester Army Ammunition Plant Sustains Heavy Damage From Ice Storm

McALESTER, Okla. (AP) -- The U.S. military's leading bomb-making plant was operating on backup generators Wednesday, days after a massive ice storm blasted the area.<br/><br/>More than 1,000 power

Wednesday, January 17th 2007, 5:11 pm

By: News On 6

McALESTER, Okla. (AP) -- The U.S. military's leading bomb-making plant was operating on backup generators Wednesday, days after a massive ice storm blasted the area.

More than 1,000 power lines have snapped at the McAlester Army Ammunition Plant since the facility lost power Friday.

It could take up to two months to repair the damage, said plant spokesman Mark Hughes.

"This was the first time the production line has been down in recent memory, and people have worked here for 30 years," Hughes said.

The plant continues to ship munitions for the global war on terror, he said.

"Our crews are working around the clock in below-freezing weather to get the plant up and running," Hughes said.

Covering more than 40,000 acres, and employing 1,200 people, the plant is the largest employer in southeastern Oklahoma.

It is considered the premier bomb-making facility for the Department of Defense. It also destroys old munitions.