The United States is one step closer to destroying weaponized nerve and mustard agent stored at the Blue Grass Army Depot, near Richmond, Kentucky, after completing construction of the 19-acre Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant (BGCAPP) facility in October 2015.

Construction is ramping up on the Explosive Destruction Technology (EDT) site, which will augment the Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant by destroying the mustard agent stockpile stored at the depot.

Blue Grass plant property managers are transferring equipment that is no longer needed on the project to other government agencies. Determining the distribution of major pieces of equipment and construction material that can be transferred to other federal or state agencies or sold at public auction is the focus, with proceeds returning to the prime contract. This effort has already saved the government a significant amount of money and more items are earmarked for reuse.

Blue Grass plant personnel are enhancing auxiliary systems to the Energetics Neutralization Reactors (ENR) to decrease formation of hydrogen cyanide and keep the workforce safe.

The Factory Acceptance Testing of the Static Detonation Chamber (SDC) is the focus of this month’s project update. The SDC has been selected to destroy the mustard munitions of the Blue Grass stockpile. Site preparation and construction is ongoing, while the fabrication and testing of the actual unit is being conducted overseas.

This month’s project update looks at the Personnel Maintenance Building (PMB) currently under construction at the Blue Grass plant.

In the spotlight this month is the Medical Facility, currently under construction at the Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant.

This month’s project update focuses on the plenums currently under construction in the Munitions Demilitarization Building (MDB) at the Blue Grass plant.

Installation of communications equipment is this month’s focus on progress at the Blue Grass construction site. Consisting of telecommunications equipment and a public address (PA) system, this effort will allow for one- and two-way communications in and around the pilot plant.

How does one follow such a busy year as the Blue Grass project had in 2014? With an even more focused one in 2015!