U.S. Army Pueblo Chemical Depot toxic materials handlers transported the final pallet of 105mm projectiles to the Pueblo Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant July 5.
“Getting all of the 105mm projectiles successfully transferred to PCAPP brings us one step closer to end of the 105mm projectile destruction campaign,” said David Griego, chemical operations officer, PCD. “It’s a big accomplishment that we were able to deliver the 105mm projectiles safely and without incident.”
Approximately 383,000 105mm projectiles were in the original chemical weapons stockpile stored at PCD. Since the 105mm projectile destruction campaign began in December 2020, the PCAPP workforce has safely destroyed an average of 650 projectiles per day.
“It’s a final delivery and it shows we’re coming to an end,” said Mark Duling, operations support manager, PCAPP. “It sets a good precedent for the plant and for the history of chemical demilitarization in the United States.”
The remaining chemical weapons stockpile in Colorado also includes 4.2-inch mortar rounds containing mustard agent, destruction of which is ongoing. PEO ACWA is targeting the complete destruction of the remaining stockpile by the Chemical Weapons Convention treaty commitment of Sept. 30, 2023. U.S. Public Law mandates stockpile destruction by Dec. 31, 2023.
