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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Media Center : Stockpile/Storage


STOCKPILE/STORAGE |Media Center Home|
CMA retains the mission for safe and secure storage of chemical weapons at two locations, Blue Grass Chemical Activity on Blue Grass Army Depot, Kentucky, and Pueblo Chemical Depot, Colorado. The chemical stockpiles at both sites are housed in specially designed storage igloos located in designated storage areas. Personnel with extensive training and certification ensure safe operations.

The chemical weapons at Blue Grass were received as far back as 1944. The majority of the nerve agent weapons arrived in the mid-60s. All weapons are stored securely in earth-covered bunkers called igloos. Designed specifically to protect their contents from external factors such as storms, lightning and other weather-related events, the igloos are equipped with a rear vent and a dual lightning protection system. The chemical stockpile is comprised of 523 tons of nerve agents GB and VX, and mustard agent in projectiles, warheads and rockets.
The chemical weapons at Blue Grass were received as far back as 1944. The majority of the nerve agent weapons arrived in the mid-60s. All weapons are stored securely in earth-covered bunkers called igloos. Designed specifically to protect their contents from external factors such as storms, lightning and other weather-related events, the igloos are equipped with a rear vent and a dual lightning protection system. The chemical stockpile is comprised of 523 tons of nerve agents GB and VX, and mustard agent in projectiles, warheads and rockets.
DAAMS, a manual monitoring system, has been used at stockpile and storage sites primarily to confirm the detection of agents and to conduct historical monitoring levels.
DAAMS, a manual monitoring system, has been used at stockpile and storage sites primarily to confirm the detection of agents and to conduct historical monitoring levels.
All weapons are stored securely in earth-covered bunkers called igloos. Designed specifically to protect their contents from external factors such as storms, lightning and other weather-related events, the igloos are equipped with a rear vent and a dual lightning protection system.
All weapons are stored securely in earth-covered bunkers called igloos. Designed specifically to protect their contents from external factors such as storms, lightning and other weather-related events, the igloos are equipped with a rear vent and a dual lightning protection system.
Blue Grass Chemical Activity and Pueblo Chemical Depot store munitions securely in earth-covered bunkers called igloos. Designed specifically to protect their contents from external factors such as storms, lightning and other weather-related events, the igloos are equipped with a rear vent and a dual lightning protection system. Aside from a 24/7 guard force, there are a number of other physical and electronic safeguards that protect this stockpile. An Emergency Operations Center is manned continuously by highly trained technicians. The likelihood of an accident is remote, and the stockpile is surrounded by numerous meteorological towers reporting to the Emergency Operations Center. Work plans are produced each day before any work is done. Should meteorological hazard predictions indicate a potential for airborne chemical agent to migrate off-post in the case of an accident, the work plan is altered to exclude that specific task.
Blue Grass Chemical Activity and Pueblo Chemical Depot store munitions securely in earth-covered bunkers called igloos. Designed specifically to protect their contents from external factors such as storms, lightning and other weather-related events, the igloos are equipped with a rear vent and a dual lightning protection system. Aside from a 24/7 guard force, there are a number of other physical and electronic safeguards that protect this stockpile. An Emergency Operations Center is manned continuously by highly trained technicians. The likelihood of an accident is remote, and the stockpile is surrounded by numerous meteorological towers reporting to the Emergency Operations Center. Work plans are produced each day before any work is done. Should meteorological hazard predictions indicate a potential for airborne chemical agent to migrate off-post in the case of an accident, the work plan is altered to exclude that specific task.
RTAPs use gas chromatographs called Miniature Continuous Air Monitoring Systems (MINICAMS:registered:) that can detect agent within three to five minutes.
RTAPs use gas chromatographs called Miniature Continuous Air Monitoring Systems (MINICAMS:registered:) that can detect agent within three to five minutes.
Real Time Analytical Platform-RTAP
The Real Time Analytical Platform (RTAP) is a self-contained mobile monitoring and detection system. Blue Grass Chemical Activity RTAPs use gas chromatographs called Miniature Continuous Air Monitoring Systems (MINICAMS®) that can detect agent within three to five minutes. The RTAP can detect chemical agent vapors at levels lower than those that would cause effects to unprotected persons. These levels are equal to the Department of Health and Human Services requirements to which unmasked workers can be exposed to agent for a 40-hour work week with no harmful effects.
The Real Time Analytical Platform (RTAP) is a self-contained mobile monitoring and detection system. Blue Grass Chemical Activity RTAPs use gas chromatographs called Miniature Continuous Air Monitoring Systems (MINICAMS®) that can detect agent within three to five minutes. The RTAP can detect chemical agent vapors at levels lower than those that would cause effects to unprotected persons. These levels are equal to the Department of Health and Human Services requirements to which unmasked workers can be exposed to agent for a 40-hour work week with no harmful effects.

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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.