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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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Colorado Commission Members Commend Pueblo Team Effort

Published: September 8, 2020 | Category: PCAPP News, Safety, Technology
Members of the Colorado Chemical Demilitarization Citizens' Advisory Commission (from left): Doug Knappe, Bob Jonardi, Velma Campbell, John Norton, Irene Kornelly, Terry Hart, Ken Griffin and Jeff Chostner.

Members of the Colorado Chemical Demilitarization Citizens' Advisory Commission (from left): Doug Knappe, Bob Jonardi, Velma Campbell, John Norton, Irene Kornelly, Terry Hart, Ken Griffin and Jeff Chostner.

On Sept. 7, 2016, workers at PCAPP began a campaign to destroy nearly 300,000 World War II-era 155mm projectiles, stored at the U.S. Army Pueblo Chemical Depot, which contained approximately 12 pounds of mustard agent each. Almost exactly four years later, on Sept. 5, that campaign was completed.

Colorado Chemical Demilitarization Citizens’ Advisory Commission members commented on the recent completion of the Pueblo Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant’s 155mm projectile campaign.

“The completion of the 155mm demilitarization is a major milestone at PCAPP and the Pueblo community,” said Irene Kornelly, chair, CAC. “Never again can these weapons be used to harm civilization.”

More than 780,000 munitions were in the original Colorado stockpile, and about two-thirds of that stockpile agent has now been destroyed.

“Pueblo has carried this burden for nearly 80 years, sustaining the national defense policy,” said Jeff Chostner, CAC member. “It is wonderful for the public to see this process coming to a close.”

Destruction involved a two-step process. Mustard agent molecules were neutralized with hot water, resulting in a chemical compound called hydrolysate, a common industrial chemical that is biodegradable. The hydrolysate was then broken down into salts, water and organics using living microbes.

“I’m really glad to see the destruction of two-thirds (of agent) complete and especially happy that it has been done safely,” said John Norton, CAC member. “I’m also impressed that the program has worked as planned from neutralization to biotreatment.”

“Overall the 155mm projectiles were destroyed in a safe and professional way by the PCAPP team,” added Ken Griffin, CAC member.

The next munitions campaign at PCAPP is the destruction of 105mm projectiles, which each contain 3 pounds of mustard agent. That work is tentatively scheduled to begin in late November.

“We are very excited to reach the end of the 155mm campaign,” said Terry Hart, vice chair, CAC. “This is a huge milestone for this project that is critically important for the Pueblo community and our nation. Hard work by all involved, especially our dedicated staff at PCAPP, has gotten us to this point and we are now primed to complete the rest of the mission.”

Related Posts

  • Agent-filled 4.2-inch mortar rounds are monitored during Static Detonation Chamber agent trial testing operations at the Pueblo Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant.

    Static Detonation Chamber Trial Testing Concludes

    Published: May 13, 2022
  • After a chemical weapon is drained of agent and rinsed with high-pressure hot water, Agent Washwater Separator tanks collect fluid before sending it to Agent Neutralization Reactors to destroy the mustard agent. The Pueblo Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant has two tanks, providing the plant with redundancy when neutralizing agent.

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  • All chemical weapons from the Colorado stockpile are sorted into four color-coded lots to reduce delays in destruction due to problematic munitions.

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  • A Pueblo Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant ordnance technician holds the first 4.2-inch mortar round to be processed in the Static Detonation Chamber complex.

    First Agent Destroyed in Static Detonation Chamber

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  • Static Detonation Chamber ordnance technicians Rachelle S. and Mike W. remove a 57mm conventional ammunition round from its fiber tube during SDC non-agent Trial Burn Testing.

    Conventional Explosives Demonstrate Static Detonation Chamber Capability

    Published: February 15, 2022
  • Munitions transporters unload inert 4.2-inch mortar rounds from the back of a Modified Ammunition Vehicle during Integrated Operations Demonstrations. (Portions of this photograph have been blurred in accordance with Department of Defense guidelines)

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    Published: February 2, 2022
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Other Recent PCAPP News

  • Static Detonation Chamber Trial Testing Concludes

    Static Detonation Chamber Trial Testing Concludes

    May 13, 2022
  • Colorado Commission Welcomes New Member

    Colorado Commission Welcomes New Member

    May 4, 2022
  • Backup Systems Allow for Safe Repairs

    Backup Systems Allow for Safe Repairs

    March 28, 2022
  • Color Coding Boosts Chemical Weapon Destruction

    Color Coding Boosts Chemical Weapon Destruction

    March 23, 2022
  • Plant Closely Monitors Permit Requirements

    Plant Closely Monitors Permit Requirements

    February 24, 2022

PCAPP Safety Videos

  • PCAPP Safety: Written in the Stars

    PCAPP Safety: Written in the Stars

    June 8, 2015
  • Pueblo Plant Operational Readiness Review

    Pueblo Plant Operational Readiness Review

    February 25, 2014
  • Pueblo Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant Hazard School Board

    Pueblo Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant Hazard School Board

    August 16, 2013
  • PCAPP and the Community Share in National Safety Award

    PCAPP and the Community Share in National Safety Award

    March 31, 2009

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