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

Published: June 21, 2022 | Category: BGCAPP News, People
The official party sits on stage during introductions provided by the facilitator for the Elimination of All VX Nerve Agent Weapons in the U.S. Stockpile event in Richmond, Kentucky, June 8.

The official party sits on stage during introductions provided by the facilitator for the Elimination of All VX Nerve Agent Weapons in the U.S. Stockpile event in Richmond, Kentucky, June 8.

Government officials, project personnel and citizens gathered in Richmond, Kentucky, to recognize the elimination of all VX nerve agent weapons in the U.S. stockpile June 8.

“This is an exciting time for me and the department as we continue to make impressive progress toward safely completing destruction of the U.S. chemical weapons stockpile,” said Kingston Reif, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Threat Reduction and Arms Control.

“The progress the plant is making has profound implications for international peace and security,” Reif said. “Please accept my thanks to those of you who have given yourself to embrace this mission to share your knowledge and experience and demonstrated a generosity of spirit and attitude.”

On April 19, the Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant team completed destruction of M55 rockets containing VX nerve agent, which follows the complete destruction of projectiles containing VX in 2021. This accomplishment was recognized through an event held at Eastern Kentucky University in conjunction with the quarterly public Kentucky Chemical Demilitarization Citizens’ Advisory Commission and Chemical Destruction Community Advisory Board meeting.

“We celebrate in particular, the destruction of the last of the VX nerve agent weapons in the entire U.S. chemical weapons stockpile, that has happened right here in little ole Richmond in Madison County, and we are proud to have this distinction,” said Robert Blythe, mayor, City of Richmond. “I know that there are intentional ramifications of what is taking place here at Blue Grass, international ramifications, and I am certainly pleased that we are moving forward in satisfying those things that can make our world a safer place for all.”

Rocket warheads previously drained of their VX nerve agent in the main plant will be processed through one of the plant’s Static Detonation Chamber units as secondary waste. The rocket motors were sent for destruction in the Anniston, Alabama, Static Detonation Chamber, also as secondary waste. The plant is in a changeover period before the start of destruction of the final nerve agent weapons in the U.S. stockpile, GB M55 rockets, scheduled for July.

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