Workers at the Blue Grass Chemical Agent Destruction Pilot Plant completed destruction of all 8-inch projectiles containing GB nerve agent on Monday. The process began in January. Since then, plant officials report nearly 4000 projectiles were drained with the nerve agent neutralized.
Candace Coyle is site project manager. Coyle said the operation was conducted deliberately and safely. “I think we’re in a really great place. We are the first site in demilitarization history to finish a campaign ahead of schedule. And this is in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic where we’ve had to really make sure that we promote the safety of our workforce,” said Coyle.
Coyle noted there is a changeover of equipment under way in the main plant to prepare for the next munition campaign. Meanwhile, destruction of mustard agent in the static detonation chamber facility continues. Coyle added the January to May nerve agent operation didn’t see any significant incidents. “They not only finished ahead of schedule, there were no OSHA recordable injuries, there was no appreciable environmental quality safety or security issues. I mean they did a phenomenal job of being able to work through really tough technical challenges. It’s the first of kind plant. You’re always going to have that,” explained Coyle.
The schedule calls for destruction of more than 500 tons of chemical munitions by the end of 2023.
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