The Blue Grass Army Depot and Blue Grass Chemical Activity conducted change-of-command ceremonies in June and July.
“These leaders will provide invaluable assistance to us in starting up the Explosive Destruction Technology mission and the main plant,” said Jeff Brubaker, site project manager, Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant.
Col. Joseph R. Kurz assumed command of the Blue Grass Army Depot from Col. Norbert “Norb” A. Fochs July 10. The depot, established in 1941, primarily provides industrial services and activities associated with the storage and maintenance of conventional munitions, but also provides the sites for the storage and destruction of the Blue Grass portion of the U.S. chemical weapons stockpile.
Lt. Col. Rodney D. McCutcheon assumed command of the Blue Grass Chemical Activity from Col. Scott D. Gould June 14. The chemical activity resides on the depot’s 15,000-acre footprint and is responsible for storing, monitoring and maintaining the chemical munitions that will be destroyed by the pilot plant.
“These commanders will be major players on the team as we ramp up to the destruction of the chemical weapons.” Brubaker said. “We look forward to working with them to accomplish this essential goal.”
Kurz comes to the depot from the Capability Development Division, Allied Command Transformation, North Atlantic Treaty Organization in Norfolk, Virginia, where he was the branch head for logistics, deployment and sustainment.
McCutcheon comes to the chemical activity from the Training and Doctrine Command in Fort Eustis, Virginia, where he was the Chemical Surety Division chief.
Military command for the depot and chemical activity changes every two years through the U.S. Army’s senior officer selection process.
