• COVID-19
  • Progress
  • eNewsletter Sign-Up
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Give Feedback
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)
  • HOME
  • PEO ACWA
    • ACWA logo

      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

    • About PEO ACWA
      • Destruction Progress
      • Chain of Command
      • Team Biographies
      • Program Timeline
      • Program Legislation
      • Public Involvement
      • Frequently Asked Questions
    • PEO ACWA Media Library
      • PEO ACWA News
      • PEO ACWA Videos
      • PEO ACWA Facts
      • PEO ACWA Press Releases
      • PEO ACWA Briefings, Reports & Downloads
  • BLUE GRASS
    • pcapp_logo
      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.

    • BGCAPP Homepage
      • Project Stages
      • Destruction Technologies
      • Team Biographies
      • Environmental Activities
      • Public Involvement
      • Hydrolysate Shipments
    • BGCAPP Media Library
      • News
      • Videos
      • Facts
      • Press Releases
      • Briefings, Reports & Downloads
  • PUEBLO
    • pcapp_logo
      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.

    • PCAPP Homepage
      • Project Stages
      • Destruction Technologies
      • Team Biographies
      • Environmental Activities
      • Public Involvement
    • PCAPP Media Library
      • News
      • Videos
      • Facts
      • Press Releases
      • Briefings, Reports & Downloads
  • CONTACT US

Mustard Agent Destruction Facility Prepares for Operations

Published: May 16, 2019 | Category: BGCAPP News, Events
Munitions handlers lower a test projectile into a Static Detonation Chamber (SDC) loading box at the Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant. The SDC is in lockdown mode, where everything is being done as it will be during operations, scheduled to begin in late May.

Munitions handlers lower a test projectile into a Static Detonation Chamber (SDC) loading box at the Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant. The SDC is in lockdown mode, where everything is being done as it will be during operations, scheduled to begin in late May.

The Static Detonation Chamber facility went on lockdown April 5 in preparation for upcoming operations.

“Lockdown means we are treating everything exactly as it will be while we are processing the chemical weapons, from security measures to operating procedures to personal protective equipment,” said Chad Hieronimus, shift plant manager, Bechtel Parsons Blue Grass. “This is designed to familiarize the workforce with the proper procedures and facility function and work out any final issues before the munitions are introduced to the facility.”

Lockdown is one of the last steps before operations begin, Hieronimus said. Integrated Operations Demonstrations, where each of the plant operations such as munitions movement and detonation-chamber processing are performed from beginning to end, are the next major step. Government and oversight agency start-of-operations approvals are also in process.

“The demonstrations are scheduled to begin May 7 and run for nine days,” said Fred Barnes, mechanical engineer lead, Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant. “They are designed to prove the equipment, procedures and people are fully functional for the goal of safely destroying the mustard munitions before we actually begin doing so.”

Start-up for the Static Detonation Chamber facility is currently scheduled for on or about May 30.

More BGCAPP Event Articles

  • March Public Meeting Continues on Online Platform

    March Public Meeting Continues on Online Platform

    Published: February 24, 2021
  • Two operators work together to place one of the last overpacked 8-inch projectiles containing nerve agent into a tray to begin the destruction process at the Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant May 9. The last GB 8-inch projectile was destroyed May 11, marking the complete destruction of an entire type of chemical weapon.

    Blue Grass Plant Completes First Munitions Destruction Campaign

    Published: May 21, 2020
  • Operators perform site work for the Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant’s first Static Detonation Chamber (SDC) in 2015. With Temporary Authorization Request approval in early September, workers can now start site preparation for the project’s second SDC.

    Plant Receives Approval to Begin Site Preparation

    Published: October 2, 2019
  • Munitions handlers place the first 155mm mustard-agent filled projectile slated for destruction into a feed box June 7. The projectile was automatically fed into the Static Detonation Chamber at the Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant and destroyed the same day. (Image taken from closed-circuit television.)

    Destruction of Chemical Weapons Stockpile Begins at Blue Grass Army Depot

    Published: June 19, 2019
  • Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell speaks at an event May 29 to mark the start of chemical munitions destruction in Kentucky. The Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant is scheduled to begin destruction of mustard-agent projectiles in the Static Detonation Chamber within the next several weeks.

    Stakeholders Recognize Start of Kentucky Chemical Weapons Destruction at Event

    Published: May 31, 2019
No tags.

Other Recent BGCAPP News

  • Teamwork Key to Removing Used Carbon Filters

    Teamwork Key to Removing Used Carbon Filters

    April 19, 2022
  • New Tank Safely Lowered Through Roof

    New Tank Safely Lowered Through Roof

    March 30, 2022
  • Former Mustard Destruction Facility Passes Crucial Test

    Former Mustard Destruction Facility Passes Crucial Test

    March 1, 2022
  • Comment Period Open for Public Input on Draft Environmental Permit

    Comment Period Open for Public Input on Draft Environmental Permit

    February 23, 2022
  • Decontamination Efforts Begin on Projectile Equipment

    Decontamination Efforts Begin on Projectile Equipment

    February 8, 2022
  • Equipment Removed for Site Upgrade

    Equipment Removed for Site Upgrade

    February 1, 2022
  • From Tents to Today, a Year at the New Site

    From Tents to Today, a Year at the New Site

    January 27, 2022
  • Key Defense Official Tours Blue Grass Plant

    Key Defense Official Tours Blue Grass Plant

    December 21, 2021

Connect with PEO ACWA

Sign Up for Our Newsletter

Sign up for the Connect with ACWA e-newsletters to have information sent directly to your inbox. It’s a great way to stay connected with chemical weapons destruction plant activities.

Sign Up

Recent Tweets
  • Terms of Use
  • Freedom of Information Act
  • Privacy and Security Policy
  • iSALUTE
  • Archive
  • Welcome to ACWA
  • Home
  • PEO ACWA Pages
    • About PEO ACWA
    • Destruction Progress
    • Team Biographies
    • Chain of Command
    • Program Timeline
    • Public Involvement
  • PEO ACWA Media Library
    • PEO ACWA Media Library (Main)
    • PEO ACWA News
    • PEO ACWA Videos
    • PEO ACWA Facts
    • PEO ACWA Press Releases
    • PEO ACWA Briefings and Reports
    • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Blue Grass Pages
    • BGCAPP Homepage
    • BGCAPP Project Stages
    • BGCAPP Destruction Technologies
    • BGCAPP Team Biographies
    • Environmental Activities at BGCAPP
    • Public Involvement at BGCAPP
    • Hydrolysate Shipments
  • BGCAPP Media Library
    • BGCAPP Media Library (Main)
    • BGCAPP News
    • BGCAPP Videos
    • BGCAPP Facts
    • BGCAPP Press Releases
    • BGCAPP Briefings, Reports and Downloads
  • Pueblo Pages
    • PCAPP Homepage
    • PCAPP Project Stages
    • PCAPP Destruction Technologies
    • PCAPP Team Biographies
    • Environmental Activities at PCAPP
    • Public Involvement at PCAPP
  • PCAPP Media Library
    • PCAPP Media Library (Main)
    • PCAPP News
    • PCAPP Videos
    • PCAPP Facts
    • PCAPP Press Releases
    • PCAPP Briefings, Reports, and Downloads
  • Archive
  • Job and Business Opportunities
  • Contact Us
  • Freedom of Information Act
  • Privacy and Security Policy
Program Executive Office, Assembled Chemical Weapons Alternatives (PEO ACWA)