May 29th Event Marks Start of Chemical Weapon Destruction Process

DEM Blogger

May 16, 2019

The Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant (BGCAPP) is scheduled to begin destruction of mustard agent projectiles in the Static Detonation Chamber (SDC) within the next several weeks. To recognize this milestone, the Program Executive Office, Assembled Chemical Weapons Alternatives will hold a public event Wednesday, May 29, at 10 a.m. at the Armed Forces Reserve Center, 233 Battlefield Memorial Highway in Richmond, Kentucky.

The event will feature a keynote address from Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, remarks from Department of Defense leaders and guests, a commemorative flag presentation and a ribbon cutting.

For more information and to RSVP, visit: www.peoacwa.army.mil/bgcapp-ipo/. This event is open to the public and accessible to individuals with disabilities. Please note, attendees are prohibited from bringing the following items to the event: weapons of any kind to include pocket knives, alcohol or drugs, drones and large bags or backpacks.

BGCAPP will safely destroy a chemical weapons stockpile stored at the Blue Grass Army Depot. The depot, located near Richmond, Kentucky, provides conventional ammunition services, chemical defense equipment management and manufacturing capabilities for the Department of Defense. The Blue Grass Chemical Activity, a tenant of the 15,000-acre depot, is responsible for the safekeeping of the portion of the nation’s chemical weapons stockpile stored at the depot. Together, the U.S. Army and the community surrounding the depot are working in a committed partnership to support the safe destruction of the Blue Grass chemical weapons stockpile.

The main plant slated to destroy the nerve agent portion of the stockpile of chemical munitions is anticipated to start up late this year.

For additional BGCAPP information, contact the Blue Grass Chemical Stockpile Outreach Office at (859) 626-8944 or bgoutreach@iem.com. Visit www.peoacwa.army.mil for more information on the program to destroy the chemical weapons stored at the Blue Grass Army Depot.