U.S. Army Chemical Materials ActivityU.S. Army Chemical Materials ActivityU.S. Army Chemical Materials ActivityU.S. Army Chemical Materials Activity
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Blue Grass Chemical Activity

    Home Blue Grass Chemical Activity

    Monitoring the chemical weapons stockpile

    The Blue Grass Chemical Activity (BGCA) supports delivery of chemical munitions to Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant (BGCAPP) for destruction and is responsible for the safe and secure storage of the chemical weapons stockpile at Blue Grass Army Depot (BGAD). BGCA reports to the U.S. Army Chemical Materials Activity and is commanded by Lt. Col. Tyler McKee.

    Located near Richmond, Kentucky, BGAD, a subordinate installation of the Joint Munitions Command, is one of two remaining Army installations in the United States that stores chemical weapons. The depot encompasses approximately 14,600 acres, comprised mainly of open fields and wooded areas. The depot is primarily involved with industrial activities associated with the storage and maintenance of conventional and chemical munitions.

    The chemical stockpile was originally comprised of over 523 tons of nerve agents GB and VX, and mustard agent in projectiles, warheads and rockets. The Program Executive Office, Assembled Chemical Weapons Alternatives is the Department of Defense (DoD) program responsible for the destruction of chemical weapons in Kentucky. Working in partnership with the community, the Army selected two technologies – neutralization and static detonation chambers – to safely destroy the Blue Grass stockpile.

    Bechtel Parsons Blue Grass is the systems contractor selected to design, construct, systemize, pilot test, operate and close the Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant. To learn more about the chemical weapons destruction mission, visit the Blue Grass Chemical Stockpile Outreach Office.

    Safety and Security

    The safety of workers, the public and the environment are paramount to the success of the chemical weapons disposal mission. CMA oversees the secure storage of chemical munitions to ensure that they are safe. BGAD and BGCA are committed to the safe and secure storage of the chemical weapons until the stockpile can be eliminated.

    Public Participation and Community Relations

    The Kentucky Chemical Demilitarization Citizens’ Advisory Commission serves as a forum for exchanging information about the chemical weapons destruction project and represents community and state interests to the Army and DoD to ensure that the public is fully informed.

    The Chemical Stockpile Emergency Preparedness Program works closely with Kentucky community and state emergency professionals to develop emergency plans and provide chemical accident response equipment and warning systems.

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    BGCA Quick Facts

    Location: Richmond, Kentucky
    Installation: Blue Grass Army Depot (BGAD)
    Original Stockpile Size: 523 Tons
    Original Stockpile Type: Nerve and Blister Agent

    BGCAPP logo

    Interested in learning more about chemical weapons destruction in Kentucky?

    Visit the BGCAPP website

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    • Home
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      • Store
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    U.S. Army Chemical Materials Activity
    Mountain

    The mountain has been an element that has graced many of the past depot emblems, representing Pike’s Peak.

    Missile

    The Pershing Missile in the center represents one of the most prominent missions of the depot in the 1980s.

    Hawk

    The hawk represents native depot wildlife, the present and future mission of the environmental programs, and was also the name of one of the missile systems supplied by the depot during its missile mission in the 1950s and 60s.

    Insignias

    The branch insignia of both the U.S. Army Chemical Corps and Ordnance Corps represent the depot’s command structure through its history as both an ordnance and a chemical depot.

    Colors & Text

    The colors cobalt blue and yellow gold are representative of the U.S. Army Chemical Corps. “Pueblo Depot” is representative of the installation throughout its history. “1942” is the date of establishment. “Safety” and “Service” capture the continued and historical depot missions.

    Motto

    The motto translates to “A Common Good.”

    Sun

    The rising sun denotes the dawning of a new day without chemical weapons and the organization’s mission to safely destroy chemical weapons stockpile, thus changing the future of modern warfare.

    Wheat

    The three stalks of wheat symbolize the harvest of hope that has been secured through industry, cultivation and abundance. It also refers to the unit’s chemical/biological, smoke/obscurant and support to Homeland security industrial base missions at Pine Bluff Arsenal.

    Eagle

    The double-headed eagle suggests the two CMA methods for stockpile chemical weapons disposal, incineration and neutralization. These methods’ roots are traced back to Project Eagle I (incinerating of mustard agents) and Eagle II (neutralizing nerve agents).

    Olive Branch

    The olive branch signifies peace and the Activity’s commitment to abide by the stipulations of the Chemical Weapons Convention Treaty and assisting other nations.

    Octagon

    The octagon alludes to the eight original chemical weapons stockpile storage sites in the United States.