The next phase of chemical munition disposal at the Blue Grass Army Depot is slated to start in January. Members of two different citizen advisory panels were updated on work to rid the installation of more than 500 tons of chemical agent.
Plant Site Project Manager Candace Coyle reported more than 80 tons of agent have been destroyed thus far. “We did complete one of the five campaigns that we have planned here and we’re about 64% done with mustard campaign. And we’re getting ready for the VX projectiles. So, slowly but surely we are getting there, but we are making progress as we go,” said Coyle.
The neutralization process of nerve agent results in a hydrolysate which is being stored on site. It will eventually be trucked off to another location for final disposal. Next month, workers will begin the process of destroying VX nerve agent projectiles. Destruction of chemical weapon rockets will occur after the projectile campaign.
Systems Contractor Project Manager Ron Hink said this period of coronavirus has increased intensity among workers in the plant. “I think maybe it helps people focus on something other than COVID and in this case they seemed to be focused on how they execute their jobs. That’s good for us. Focus is a really difficult thing to sustain and something this workforce has been able to deliver on,” explained Hink.
Coyle told panel members Richmond residents could see a 145 foot long truck carrying a large piece of equipment coming through town this Friday. It’s part of a second Static Detonation Chamber planned at the Depot site.
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