PCAPP safely destroyed a stockpile of chemical weapons previously stored at the U.S. Army Pueblo Chemical Depot in Colorado.
*Information as of 22 June 2023
The U.S. Army Pueblo Chemical Depot originally stored more than 2,600 tons of the blister agent mustard in projectiles and mortar rounds.
155mm Projectiles
CAMPAIGN INITIATED: SEPT. 7, 2016
CAMPAIGN COMPLETED: SEPT. 5, 2020
The 155mm projectile was a World War II-type munition. Both the M104 and M110 projectiles contained approximately 12 lbs. of blister (mustard) agent. Colored bands, signifying the chemical agent contained in the munition, marked the outside of the projectile casings. The shell contained an adapter and burster casing that screwed into the nose of the shell, also allowing a fuze to be screwed into the nose of the projectile.
105mm Projectiles
CAMPAIGN INITIATED: DEC. 11, 2020
CAMPAIGN COMPLETED: JULY 20, 2022
The 105mm projectile was a World War II-type munition. The projectile contained approximately 3 lbs. of blister (mustard) agent. Colored bands, signifying the chemical agent within the munition, marked the outside of the projectile casings. The shell contained an adapter and booster casing that screwed into the nose of the shell, allowing a fuze to be screwed into the nose of the projectile.
4.2-inch Mortar Rounds
CAMPAIGN INITIATED: FEB. 19, 2022
CAMPAIGN COMPLETED: JUNE 16, 2023
The 4.2-inch mortar round, produced in the United States, consisted of a one-piece forged steel-case projectile body with fuze, burster and tail assembly. Each munition contained approximately 6 lbs. of agent that was sealed inside with a steel burster well. The shell contained a perforated vane assembly welded to the inside of the body, designed to accommodate the burster tube extending from the fuze. The tail assembly consisted of a pressure plate and rotating disk, propelling charge, cartridge container, ignition cartridge and striker nut assembly.
Chemical Weapons Destruction Technologies
MAIN PLANT
START DATE: SEPT. 7, 2016
END DATE: JUNE 16, 2023
Neutralization Followed by Biotreatment
The Assembled Chemical Weapons Alternatives program, the U.S. Army Pueblo Chemical Depot and the community worked together to select neutralization followed by biotreatment to destroy the chemical weapons stored at the depot.
EXPLOSIVE DESTRUCTION TECHNOLOGY
START DATE: MARCH 18, 2015
END DATE: DEC. 5, 2018
Explosive Destruction System
The Explosive Destruction System, or EDS, augmented the pilot plant to destroy a number of problematic munitions that could not be easily destroyed by the main plant’s automated equipment. During two campaigns from March 2015 to December 2018, the EDS eliminated 951 items resulting in 3.82 tons of mustard agent destroyed.
STATIC DETONATION CHAMBER
START DATE: FEB. 19, 2022
END DATE: JUNE 22, 2023
Static Detonation Chamber
Static Detonation Chamber supported the chemical weapons destruction progress at the Pueblo Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant. Three SDC units augmented the main plant by eliminating some 4.2-inch mortar rounds and overpacked problematic munitions.
Upcoming Meetings
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The public is invited to a discussion regarding the Class 2 Permit Modification Request B073, Equipment Disassembly and Containerization, to the PCAPP Resource Conservation and Recovery Act Permit, No. CO-20-09-02-01, and a Temporary Authorization request for disassembly and waste containerization of other specific equipment on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024, at 2 p.m.
Computer: Zoom
Phone: 1 (719) 359-4580 Meeting ID: 837 6247 4206#For information, please contact Sandy Romero, Bechtel Communications Manager, (719) 549-5280 or by email at svromero@bechtel.com or the Pueblo Chemical Stockpile Outreach Office staff at (719) 549‑4959 or pueblooutreach@iem.com
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Permitting Working Group, Biotreatment Utilization Group and Colorado Chemical Demilitarization Citizens’ Advisory Commission Meetings will be held on Jan. 31, 2024, at 3 p.m. MT.
Computer: Zoom
Phone: 1 (669) 444 9171 Meeting ID: 844 3279 1550#For information, please contact the Pueblo Chemical Stockpile Outreach Office at (719) 549‑4959, or pueblooutreach@iem.com
“I feel powerful knowing that I helped destroy chemical weapons as a woman in a male-dominated industry.”
“We have made a difference. We made the world a safer place.”
“I feel a sense of accomplishment. It feels good to say that I had a positive impact on my community.”
“I’m glad we completed our mission… I feel proud.”
“We made history. People will read about what we’ve done here at PCAPP.”
“I’m happy I was part of something with such a huge impact.”
“I’m happy we completed the mission but I’m sad it’s all done. I’m going to miss my time here.”
“It feels good that we have rid our community of chemical weapons and that future generations won’t have to live with them any more.”
“My dad worked in the demilitarization industry, so it’s incredibly touching that I was able to continue his legacy and see that final munition destroyed.”