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Kentucky Army depot begins destroying nerve agents

By The Associated Press

Jan 22, 2020

Jonathan Strunk, left, and James Nunn, both Blue Grass Chemical Activity toxic materials handlers, work together to guide training munitions into an enhanced on-site container during munitions movement training in the chemical limited area at the Blue Grass Army Depot on Feb. 13, 2019. (Angela Messinger/Army)

RICHMOND, Ky. — Officials have begun destroying nerve agents that have been stored at a Kentucky Army depot for decades.

The first projectile containing GB nerve agent was successfully destroyed on Jan. 17, the Blue Grass Chemical Agent Destruction Pilot Plant said in a statement.

The facility at the Blue Grass Army Depot in Richmond began destroying mustard-agent munitions last year.

"This is another major milestone toward eliminating the total chemical weapons stockpile in Kentucky," said project manager Candace Coyle. "With each munition destroyed, we are making Madison and surrounding counties a safer place to live."

A stockpile of more than 500 tons (453.6 metric tons) of mustard gas, GB or VX agent had been stored at the Army Depot, some since the 1940s.