The Blue Grass Army Depot and Blue Grass Chemical Activity conducted change-of-command ceremonies in July and June, respectively.

Col. Brett A. Ayvazian assumed command of the Blue Grass Army Depot, or BGAD, from Col. Stephen D. Dorris in a ceremony July 12. The depot, established in 1941, primarily provides industrial services and activities associated with the storage and maintenance of conventional munitions, but also provides the sites for the storage and destruction of the Blue Grass portion of the U.S. chemical weapons stockpile.

“I look forward to continuing our strong relationship with the Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant. They have done outstanding work here at BGAD, completing very difficult tasks within very tight timelines and zero room for error,” Ayvazian said. “Our two organizations will work hand-in-hand over the next 14 months as the chemical demilitarization process winds down here. Our meetings and discussions will focus on how BGAD can best help them reach their final demilitarization milestone, and how the Blue Grass plant can help us explore the best post-chemical demilitarization industry opportunities for our facilities and land which they currently utilize.”

Lt. Col. Tyler S. McKee assumed command of the Blue Grass Chemical Activity from Lt. Col. Edward E. Williams in a ceremony June 30. The chemical activity resides on the depot’s 15,000-acre footprint and is responsible for storing, monitoring and maintaining the chemical munitions that are being destroyed by the Blue Grass plant, as well as supporting the delivery of munitions to the plant.

“I am looking forward to working with the Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant leadership,” McKee said. “It is truly an honor to participate in fulfilling the nation’s commitment to destroy our chemical weapons stockpile.”

Ayvazian joins the depot from Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, where he was deputy chief of staff to the commanding general of Army Materiel Command.

McKee comes to Blue Grass from Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado, where he most recently served as the executive officer to the director of operations, U.S. Northern Command.

“I look forward to working closely with the new commanders,” said Dr. Candace Coyle, site project manager, Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant. “These experienced military leaders and their teams will help us usher in the end of the Blue Grass chemical weapons stockpile.”

Military command for the depot and chemical activity changes every two years through the U.S. Army’s command selection process.

The Blue Grass Army Depot will continue its conventional munitions mission after the completion of chemical weapons destruction and the closure of the Blue Grass plant.