The Pueblo Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant reported its best month ever for processing munitions at the end of June 2020.

“We processed 14,126 of the 155mm projectiles in June,” said Walton Levi, site project manager, PCAPP. “That’s a substantial reduction in the stockpile of aging munitions containing mustard agent.”

Obsolete weapons containing HD and HT mustard blister agent have been stored at the U.S. Army Pueblo Chemical Depot since the 1950s, and are being destroyed along with the rest of the remaining U.S. chemical munitions stockpile at the Blue Grass Army Depot near Richmond, Kentucky, in accordance with global treaty obligations and a Congressional mandate.

The 155mm destruction campaign is on track to be completed later this year. After that, the main plant will be reconfigured to destroy 105mm projectiles. A third group of weapons, 4.2-inch mortar rounds, have been unboxed, prepped and stored for destruction later in three Static Detonation Chamber units that will be ready for operation later this year. The SDC units will also destroy any other problematic lots of munitions not suited for processing in the main plant.

“The main plant achieved this record performance in June while overcoming technical challenges and proceeding safely with operations during the COVID-19 pandemic utilizing the universal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance,” Levi said.