Munitions delivery operators are training to receive chemical munitions from storage at the Blue Grass Chemical Activity and transport them to the Blue Grass plant to support operations.

“Right now, we’re developing familiarity with the actions, tasks and procedural direction for munitions transport,” said Bill Nieminen, munitions handling manager, Bechtel Parsons Blue Grass. “Our operators are working toward certification in munitions delivery through this training with the chemical activity.”

The crews are preparing for Integrated Operations Demonstrations, where they must demonstrate proficiency at specific tasks before moving into the next phase of certification, Nieminen said. This includes loading and unloading activities, transport container seal testing, driver proficiencies and decontamination procedures, working in concert with Blue Grass Chemical Activity personnel.

“These tasks are critical in that the munitions must be delivered safely,” Nieminen said. “We have a good working relationship with the chemical activity and are also training on their policies and procedures.”

The munitions are stored and monitored at the Blue Grass Chemical Activity and will be removed from storage and loaded into the transport containers by their workers. Responsibility and custody transfer for the munitions will then be accepted by the Blue Grass plant and the operators will transport the munitions to the Static Detonation Chamber and main plant destruction facilities.