First Munitions Destroyed in PCAPP Explosive Destruction System

For more PCD information contact:
Lori Waters
PCD Public Affairs
Office: (719) 549-4135
Cell: (719) 569-1089

For more PCAPP information contact:
Tom Schultz
PCAPP Public Affairs
Office: (719) 549-4959
Cell: (719) 924-4432

U.S. ARMY PUEBLO CHEMICAL DEPOT, Colo. – Today crews at the U.S. Army Pueblo Chemical Depot (PCD) successfully completed the destruction of the first munitions –- three mustard-filled 105 mm projectiles — in the Pueblo Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant Explosive Destruction System (PCAPP EDS).

“Today, the Pueblo Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant Explosive Destruction System took a small, but important step as we move closer to eliminating all the chemical weapons in the U.S. stockpile,” said Bruce Huenefeld, PCAPP EDS site project manager.

“According to Article I of the Chemical Weapons Convention, or CWC, the treaty under which we operate, the description of what constitutes a chemical weapon includes not only the agent, but any device, bomb or artillery shell used to deliver it on the battlefield,” he said.

“Up to now, we have destroyed only the agent contained in Department of Transportation, or DOT bottles. Today, with the destruction of these projectiles, we more fully demonstrate America’s commitment to the spirit of this international accord.”

The 105 mm projectiles, which each contain approximately three pounds of mustard agent, are one of three types of chemical munitions stored at the depot. The other two are the larger 155 mm projectile, which can hold 11.7 pounds of agent, and the 4.2-inch mortar shell which can contain up to six pounds of agent.

The full-scale plant, built by the Bechtel Pueblo Team, is currently undergoing systemization and will destroy the majority of the Pueblo chemical stockpile beginning in the late 2015/early 2016 timeframe.

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