• COVID-19
  • Progress
  • eNewsletter Sign-Up
  • Frequently Asked Questions
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

Entire U.S. Stockpile of VX Nerve Agent Eliminated

Published: April 20, 2022 | Category: BGCAPP News, Program Milestones
Operators move M55 rockets containing VX nerve agent from a pallet to a transfer cart to begin the destruction process at the Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant April 15, 2022.

Operators move M55 rockets containing VX nerve agent from a pallet to a transfer cart to begin the destruction process at the Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant April 15, 2022.

The last M55 rocket containing VX nerve agent was destroyed at the Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant, or BGCAPP, April 19.

“We are celebrating two milestones today,” said Dr. Candace Coyle, BGCAPP site project manager. “First, the entire U.S. stockpile of VX nerve agent is now completely destroyed. Next, this marks the completion of the fourth of five chemical weapons destruction campaigns in Kentucky.”

“Our team safely completed the first nerve agent rocket campaign using a collective approach to meet and overcome various challenges,” said Ron Hink, Bechtel Parsons Blue Grass (BPBG) project manager. “We now turn our attention to the last destruction campaign, GB rockets, which will start later this year.”

Destruction of the VX M55 rockets began at the Blue Grass Army Depot, or BGAD, July 9, 2021. Under the observation of trained operators, automated equipment disassembled nearly 18,000 rockets and drained the chemical agent. As of April 15, more than 46% of the original 523 tons of chemical agent has been destroyed. There are 277 tons of chemical agent safely stored and awaiting destruction at Blue Grass.

The agent was neutralized by mixing it with water and caustic to produce hydrolysate. After the agent was confirmed destroyed, the hydrolysate was pumped to holding tanks, safely shipped via tanker truck and further processed at Veolia Environmental Services in Texas.

The drained rocket warheads were containerized and placed in temporary storage at BGAD. Marked as secondary waste, they will be destroyed in a Static Detonation Chamber unit located on the depot.

“We garnered a great deal of proficiency and gathered a lot of information about how to safely and efficiently destroy VX rockets in the last nine months,” Coyle said. “These lessons learned will be applied to the last campaign of GB rockets to safely eliminate the remaining U.S. chemical weapons stockpile by 2023.”

Throughout chemical weapons destruction operations, the BGCAPP team worked closely with BGAD and Blue Grass Chemical Activity (BGCA) partners to destroy the chemical weapons.

“After more than a half century of chemical weapons storage in central Kentucky, the final chapter at Blue Grass Army Depot will soon begin,” said Col. Stephen Dorris, BGAD commander. “I take great pride in working with the dedicated professionals at BGCAPP and BGCA and can attest to the safety record and environmental compliance each of these organizations meet. With their effort, Team Blue Grass has successfully accomplished some truly amazing feats over the last two decades, remaining ‘Pioneers in Quality’ and ‘Army Strong.’”

“It has been an honor to support BGCAPP as they destroyed VX rockets,” said Lt. Col. Edward Williams, BGCA commander. “Completion of this campaign represents a significant milestone in the path to eliminate the U.S. chemical weapons stockpile. Now that four of five munition types have been eradicated, BGCA is ready to support the fifth and final campaign.”

The Program Executive Office, Assembled Chemical Weapons Alternatives is responsible for destroying the remaining U.S. chemical weapons stockpile in Colorado and Kentucky. The organization oversees the contract for design, construction, systemization, operation and closure of BGCAPP with BPBG and teaming partners Amentum, Battelle Memorial Institute and GP Strategies. The project also works closely with community advisory groups to keep them informed about chemical weapons destruction progress.

“I am very grateful for the dedicated staff at the Blue Grass Army Depot and their ability to reach another milestone,” said Reagan Taylor, judge-executive, Madison County, Kentucky. “Each time we reach a milestone in this process it demonstrates the hard work of everyone involved in getting this mission to completion. I am grateful for the high priority the depot takes in keeping Madison County safe and keeping this on track. I’m confident this hard work and determination will continue to the final milestones of destroying these chemical weapons and preparing for a post-Chemical Stockpile Emergency Preparedness Program Madison County.”

The chemical weapons stockpile at the depot originally consisted of 523 U.S. tons of chemical agent configured in 155mm projectiles containing mustard and VX nerve agent, 8-inch projectiles containing GB nerve agent, and M55 rockets containing GB and VX nerve agent.

In June 2019, the BGCAPP team began destroying the mustard stockpile using the Static Detonation Chamber, an explosive destruction technology. The mustard campaign was completed in September 2021. From January through May 2020, nearly 4,000 8-inch projectiles containing GB nerve agent were destroyed at BGCAPP. From January through May 2021, nearly 13,000 155mm projectiles containing VX nerve agent were destroyed at BGCAPP.

The stockpile sites in Colorado and Kentucky account for the last 10% of what was originally a national stockpile of more than 30,000 tons of chemical weapons. The U.S. Army Chemical Materials Activity destroyed the initial 90%, which was stored at seven other sites across the U.S. and on Johnston Atoll in the Pacific. Chemical weapons destruction in Colorado began in 2015. Both sites are on target to complete destruction of chemical weapons by the Chemical Weapons Convention treaty commitment of Sept. 30, 2023, and before the congressional deadline of Dec. 31, 2023.

More BGCAPP News Articles

  • A skid of containerized, drained rocket warheads stands in the Static Detonation Chamber 2000 Enclosure Building to await destruction.

    Permit Modification Request to Increase Feed Rate Open to Public Comment

    Published: February 6, 2023
  • Operators move hoses to prepare for the transfer of hydrolysate into a truck tanker trailer at the Tanker Loading Station at the Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant.

    Blue Grass Plant Marks Secondary Waste Destruction Milestone

    Published: October 21, 2022
  • Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant crews inspect containerized drained rocket warheads before they are shipped to temporary storage.

    Public Comment Sought on Blue Grass Permit Modification

    Published: August 25, 2022
  • 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
No tags.

  • About PEO ACWA
  • History of PEO ACWA
  • Chain of Command
  • Team Biographies
  • Program Timeline
  • Public Involvement
  • Job and Business Opportunities

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)