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Program Executive Office, Assembled Chemical Weapons Alternatives (PEO ACWA)Program Executive Office, Assembled Chemical Weapons Alternatives (PEO ACWA)Program Executive Office, Assembled Chemical Weapons Alternatives (PEO ACWA)Program Executive Office, Assembled Chemical Weapons Alternatives (PEO ACWA)
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      Program Executive Office, Assembled Chemical Weapons Alternatives (PEO ACWA)


      Mission: The safe elimination of chemical weapons at Pueblo and Blue Grass by Sept. 30, 2023

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      Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant (BGCAPP)

      BGCAPP is safely destroying the chemical weapons stockpile currently in storage at the Blue Grass Army Depot near Richmond, Kentucky.

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      Pueblo Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant (PCAPP)

      PCAPP is safely destroying the chemical weapons stockpile currently in storage at the U.S. Army Pueblo Chemical Depot in Colorado.

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Emergency Preparedness Job Brings Army Veteran Full Circle

Published: March 21, 2016 | Category: PCAPP News, People
John Riley, Chemical Stockpile Emergency Preparedness Program coordinator, Pueblo, Colorado.

John Riley, Chemical Stockpile Emergency Preparedness Program coordinator, Pueblo, Colorado.

After nine years, four states and four assignments, a veteran has returned to Pueblo, Colorado, to coordinate the local Chemical Stockpile Emergency Preparedness Program (CSEPP).

“John Riley’s 28 years of experience as an U.S. Army Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosives (CBRNE) staff officer has given him years of experience that will help him as the CSEPP coordinator,” said Mark Mears, bureau chief, Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Services Bureau.

“Having been the commander at Blue Grass and Pueblo, Riley is well-versed in the CSEPP program,” Mears said.

Riley and his family lived in Pueblo from June 2005 to July 2007, during which time he served as commander of the U.S. Army Pueblo Chemical Depot (PCD). As CSEPP coordinator, Riley will provide planning and coordination for emergency response and recovery efforts concerning the chemical stockpile stored at PCD.

“I have a broad range of experience in chemical operations, emergency preparedness and management, and community relations,” Riley said. He said his focus will be to ensure the community is prepared to respond in the unlikely event of a chemical accident or incident during operations at the Pueblo Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant.

“As a former commander of PCD, a member of the community, and an environmentally- conscious citizen, I have a profound interest in ensuring maximum protection for this entire community,” Riley said.

Since leaving Pueblo, Riley acted as the CBRNE chief for U.S. Army Pacific at Fort Shafter, Hawaii; attended the U.S. Army War College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania; served as the operations officer for the Maneuver Support Center of Excellence at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri; and worked as the chief of protection and CBRNE for III Armored Corps at Fort Hood, Texas. Prior to his leadership of PCD, Riley was the commander of the Blue Grass Chemical Activity, located near Richmond, Kentucky.

More PCAPP People Articles

  • Colleen Brisnehan, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment hazardous waste program manager, is the newest appointed member of the Colorado Chemical Demilitarization Citizens' Advisory Commission.

    Colorado Commission Welcomes New Member

    Published: May 4, 2022
  • Todd Ailes is the new Bechtel Pueblo Team project manager at the Pueblo Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant.

    New Bechtel Pueblo Team Manager Takes Helm

    Published: November 18, 2021
  • Redevelopment CEO Appointed to Colorado Advisory Commission

    Redevelopment CEO Appointed to Colorado Advisory Commission

    Published: October 28, 2021
  • Drew Norton, ordnance technician, left, and Jeff Mecomber, instruments and control technician, pose for a photograph after making a toxic area entry together at the Pueblo Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant.

    Mentorship Critical to Pueblo Plant Maintenance

    Published: August 30, 2021
  • Belts equipped with a bag of practice hoses are used by beginning Demilitarization Protective Ensemble entrants to simulate the hose change process.

    Worker’s Innovation Streamlines Toxic Area Entry Training

    Published: July 29, 2021
  • Mark Honnen, an Air Force veteran and deputy chief of staff to Colorado Lt. Gov. Dianne Primavera, is the newest member of the Colorado Chemical Demilitarization Citizens' Advisory Commission.

    Colorado Governor Appoints New Advisory Commission Member

    Published: April 8, 2021
  • Toxic Material Handlers from the Pueblo Chemical Depot load a pallet of munitions onto a Modified Ammunition Vehicle, or MAV.

    Toxic Material Handlers Keep Up with Demand

    Published: April 6, 2021
  • Colorado Congress Members Tour Pueblo Plant

    Colorado Congress Members Tour Pueblo Plant

    Published: February 12, 2021
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PCAPP People Videos

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Program Executive Office, Assembled Chemical Weapons Alternatives (PEO ACWA)