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Local
News
Destruction
of VX agent continues on schedule here
By Matt Kasper
Star Staff Writer
09-17-2006
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Some 8,076 VX agent-filled M55 rockets and 8,331 gallons of liquid VX agent have been destroyed at the Anniston chemical weapons incinerator since disposal operations began July, 23, according to recent Anniston Chemical Activity reports. An estimated 1.5 million pounds of liquid VX remain to be destroyed by the scheduled completion date of 2008. ’ÄúWe still have a fair way to go for the total munitions,’Äù said Michael Abrams, spokesman for Anniston Chemical Activity, which oversees the incinerator. Abrams said 23 percent of chemical munitions have been eliminated. Nationally, 40 percent of combined nerve and mustard agents have been destroyed, he said, although disposal operations are not likely to be finished by 2012. ’ÄúNationally we are not going to meet that date,’Äù he said, explaining that plants ’Äúcould be destroying weapons into 2013.’Äù However, he said operations have been running so smoothly with the Anniston GB and VX campaigns, it is possible to be finished with all operations by 2010. The last GB-filled munitions were eliminated here in March, under the leadership of Lt. Col. Darryl J. Briggs. Lt. Col. Phillip M. Trued Jr., who assumed command of the Anniston Chemical Activity in July, will oversee the upkeep, monitoring and destruction of the remaining munitions. The elimination of mustard agents will follow the VX campaign. Recently the Kentucky-based Chemical Weapons Working Group, which opposes incineration, suggested Anniston use neutralization to destroy mustard agent, citing concerns about mercury contamination. Abrams dismissed those concerns, saying safety is paramount at the facility. ’ÄúWe know through our trial burns, and through other research, that everything we do is compliant with all appropriate regulations and law,’Äù Abrams said. ’ÄúAnd with that in mind, we expect to continue processing weapons here as we have for more than three years.’Äù |
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AboutMatt Kaspar
| Matt Kasper covers Jacksonville and Piedmont for The Star. |
Contact Dan Whisenhunt
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Fax: E-mail: |
256-235-3546 256-241-1991 mkasper@annistonstar.com |