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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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Senator McConnell Visits Training Facility

Published: August 30, 2021 | Category: BGCAPP News, Technology
A training specialist explains the automated rocket processing equipment installed at the Duncannon Training Center for the Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant to U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell during his visit to the facility Aug. 18.

A training specialist explains the automated rocket processing equipment installed at the Duncannon Training Center for the Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant to U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell during his visit to the facility Aug. 18.

U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell visited the Duncannon Training Center Aug. 18 for Blue Grass plant and Blue Grass Army Depot briefings and to observe the automated rocket processing equipment in action.

“It’s been a long march. Right after I was sworn-in in 1985 this [chemical weapons destruction in Kentucky] was one of the first things that dropped in my lap,” McConnell said. “The good news is we are almost to the end of the history of chemical weapons.”

The senator first attended a Richmond Chamber of Commerce luncheon, where he spoke about current affairs and the chemical weapons destruction project, then progressed to the training center to meet with program, military, civilian and community leaders. He asked questions about employment, operations and project schedule, and was interested in future plans for the Blue Grass Army Depot. Training center staff then provided an operational view of the Rocket Warhead Containerization System equipment set up in the building for training purposes.

“We were pleased to demonstrate our capability to Senator McConnell and give him information to think about for the future,” said Michael Abaie, program executive officer, Assembled Chemical Weapons Alternatives. “We have a great team of partners on the ground here to perform current operations and look forward with.”

McConnell expressed his willingness to be involved in the planning for what might come after the chemical weapon destruction is complete.

More BGCAPP News Articles

  • Workers install portions of the automated loading system for the Blue Grass Static Detonation Chamber (SDC) 2000 in the SDC 2000 Enclosure Building April 4. This equipment will take the place of human munitions handlers in loading containerized or overpacked munitions and components into the chamber for destruction.

    State Regulator Approves Two Blue Grass Permit Modifications

    Published: May 23, 2022
  • Workers remove used carbon filters from the Blue Grass Explosive Destruction Technology air filtration system for disposal as hazardous waste.

    Teamwork Key to Removing Used Carbon Filters

    Published: April 19, 2022
  • Workers pass a piece of plywood up the Static Detonation Chamber 1200 stairs in preparation for opening the roof to allow a new piece of equipment to be lowered into the building. The building passed decontamination verification testing in January, which means workers do not have to wear chemical protective gear as they prepare for the system’s next activity.

    Former Mustard Destruction Facility Passes Crucial Test

    Published: March 1, 2022
  • Workers drill holes for structural steel placement on the Static Detonation Chamber 1200 Off-gas Treatment System Building foundation at the Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant. A public comment period is open through March 16 for a permit modification request for this system.

    Comment Period Open for Public Input on Draft Environmental Permit

    Published: February 23, 2022
  • A worker guides a crane after its placement of the thermal oxidizer for the Static Detonation Chamber (SDC) 1200 unit at the Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant. The SDC 1200 requires a completely new off-gas treatment system in order to process drained, containerized VX nerve-agent warheads.

    New Pollution Abatement System Under Construction

    Published: August 30, 2021
  • A forklift operator is guided by spotters as he loads a crate of non-contaminated rocket motors onto a truck at the Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant July 20. The Kentucky Department for Environmental Protection has opened a public comment period for plant modification requests that include additional storage space for the motors.

    Public Comment Period Open for Hydrolysate Shipment, Rocket Motor Storage

    Published: July 29, 2021
  • A truck and tank trailer sit in the tanker loading station at the Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant.

    Project Managers to Discuss Hydrolysate Shipment at June 9 Public Meeting

    Published: June 3, 2021
  • A deer browses in an experimental plot of American chestnut trees on the Blue Grass Army Depot near the Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant. The depot is a partner in a conservation project to propagate blight-resistant versions of the American chestnut tree.

    Blue Grass Partner Assists with Conservation Effort

    Published: April 30, 2021
  • Technicians program a Rocket Warhead Containerization System robot inside the Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant in February. This equipment is the subject of one of four Kentucky Department for Environmental Protection permit modification requests currently in a public comment period.

    Public Involvement Opportunities for Permit Modification Requests

    Published: April 5, 2021
  • Comment Period Open for Plant Permit Modification Requests

    Comment Period Open for Plant Permit Modification Requests

    Published: January 28, 2021
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Related News

  • Kentucky Event Highlights End of VX Weapons in U.S.

    Kentucky Event Highlights End of VX Weapons in U.S.

    June 21, 2022
  • Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant Monthly Recap – May 2022

    Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant Monthly Recap – May 2022

    May 31, 2022
  • Changeover Period Begins at Blue Grass Plant

    Changeover Period Begins at Blue Grass Plant

    May 31, 2022
  • Special Event for Chemical Weapons Destruction Followed by Public Meeting June 8

    Special Event for Chemical Weapons Destruction Followed by Public Meeting June 8

    May 31, 2022
  • State Regulator Approves Two Blue Grass Permit Modifications

    State Regulator Approves Two Blue Grass Permit Modifications

    May 23, 2022

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