The Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant is now undergoing final preparations before the destruction of chemical weapons stored at the Blue Grass Army Depot commences.
“This is what we’ve been working toward for years,” said Jeff Brubaker, BGCAPP site project manager. “We are ready to take the next step in destroying these obsolete weapons, fulfilling international obligations and making the world a safer place.”
BGCAPP has been working closely with the Bluegrass Army Depot on preparing the destruction of all the Chemical Weapons housed inside the Depot. After many years of planning, building and training the time has come to fire everything up.
Starting June 1st the Depot will start destruction of the mustard munitions with plans to destroy the nerve munitions starting later this fall.
There are two different processes for destroying the chemical munitions. For the mustard agent they static detonation will be used and for the nerve agent they will use neutralization followed by supercritical water oxidation. We were able to witness demonstrations on site with practice munitions for training.
The main focus of the Bluegrass Army Depot and BGCAPP is yes, to destroy the chemical weapons but also do it in a safe and secure manner. First hand we saw all the training and exercises that have went into preparing for the coming months. The goal of BGCAPP is to be chemical weapon free by 2023.
