Pine Bluff Arsenal destroys first VX-filled landmine

May 5, 2008 11:14 AM ET

WHITE HALL, Ark. (AP) - The Pine Bluff Arsenal has begun destroying VX nerve-agent landmines as it continues disposing of the post's stockpile of chemical weapons.

The arsenal destroyed its first landmine Saturday. The destruction of the landmine is the third of 4 stages in disposing of the chemical weapons stockpile in accordance with an international treaty. The arsenal began destroying GB nerve-agent filled rockets in March 2005, and when that was completed, it destroyed a stockpile of VX-filled rockets.

Following completion of VX landmine disposal operations, a changeover period is planned to prepare for destruction of containers holding mustard gas, a blister agent. That will be the last stage of the disposal campaign at the arsenal.