VX destruction at incinerator to begin next year

By Kristen Hinman
Star Staff Writer
07-30-2004

Officials at the chemical weapons incinerator said Thursday that the facility will start destroying weapons filled with 1.6 million pounds of the liquid nerve agent VX approximately a year from now. The announcement was made at a public meeting Thursday evening at the Anniston Outreach Office downtown. Destruction of the VX will begin immediately following the riddance of all weapons containing the liquid nerve agent GB (sarin), Army spokesperson Mike Abrams said before the meeting. Abrams did not have end- and start-dates for the GB and VX phases of incineration. “It’s possible that we could finish (the GB) earlier. It’s possible that it could take a little bit longer than we think. The bottom line is, we’re going to do it safely, and if safety dictates that we slow down or stop, we will.” Abrams said the Army has burned to date 37,106 gallons of GB — 38 percent of the total GB in the stockpile. The first phase of GB destruction, which involves drainable rockets, is expected to be completed Friday or Saturday, according to Tim Garrett, the Army site manager at the incinerator. The Army is waiting for a green light from the state to continue with the second phase of GB destruction, which involves crystalline-filled rockets, he said. To date, 7.45 percent of all nerve agent at the stockpile has been eliminated, according to Abrams. Those interested in learning more about the incinerator can call 238-0120 or stop in the outreach office at 11 East 10th St. during normal business hours, Abrams said. Evening or weekend briefings also are possible under certain circumstances.