2006-12-15 Weapons storage an unlikely threat (By Ronica Shannon)

Safety precautions recently completed by Blue Grass Army Depot employees ensure that the M55 rockets in storage remain secure and an unlikely threat to the community. Dick Sloan, public affairs officer for Blue Grass Chemical Activity, released a report Wednesday documenting a project that began last year in March. The rockets, which contain lethal nerve agents, have been stored at the depot since the end of World War II. They are stored in “igloos” that are much like underground bunkers. Every igloo was built into the earth so that they would not be very noticeable to a potential predator flying above. The rockets are stored on large, wooden pallets that had become weathered and weak over time. The main primary concern was moisture build-up inside the igloos. The wooden pallets holding the rockets were becoming water logged. This increased the chances of a weapon becoming unstable and possibly falling over. Last year, chemical workers and ammunition surveillance experts conducted a special study to determine the condition of the wooden pallets holding the chemical munitions. “We found that the time had come to take proactive steps with the pallets to ensure the continued safety of the stockpile,” said Blue Grass Chemical Activity Commander Lt. Col. Tom Closs. “Even our newest munitions, the nerve agent projectiles and rockets, have been stored here on the same wooden pallets for over 40 years.” Approximately 13 rockets are stored on one pallet. Ultimately, 227 pallets in 20 igloos had to be replaced. The operation was completed in two phases and involved more than 3,000 chemical weapons. Administering the improvements was a bit complicated and was something that could not begin right away. Before the project could begin, depot officials were required to present a detailed, comprehensive work plan to be approved by the state, Sloan said. The plan was submitted in March and detailed all work necessary to decrease the amount of moisture inside the igloos and restore the strength of the wooden pallets. The storage facilities had vents in the front and back, allowing moisture to enter the area. Both of the vents on the igloos are now closed. Workers at the depot also have moved earth around the igloos, changing the slope around the facility so that water runs away from the igloos instead. In addition, several of the igloos were covered with waterproof tarps to protect them from the elements. The project took several months and involved additional of toxic chemical workers from other United States’ chemical weapon storage sites. “The entire process was conducted in a very deliberate and cautious manner,” Sloan said. According to Sloan’s release, the project included applying filter units to the igloo’s vents and special training for employee crews. “Local and (state) emergency response managers were kept informed and involved daily,” he said. Closs said he appreciates all those who helped with the daunting task of removing the rockets, repairing the pallets, safely replacing the weapons and rebuilding the storm drainage system for the chemical stockpile storage area. “Credit for this remarkable achievement has to go to the extremely professional and dedicated work force we have here,” Closs said. “It’s taken time, cost a great deal of money and involved some risk to our workers, but today I can tell you that the chemical weapons stockpile is in better shape and safer than it has been in many years.” Ronica Shannon can be reached at rshannon@richmondregister.com or 623-1669, Ext. 234.