Pine Bluff Arsenal Begins Weapons Incineration

Tuesday March 29, 2005 5:50pm

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White Hall, AR - After years of planning, the Pine Bluff Arsenal began the incineration of its chemical weapons stockpile Tuesday. The weapons that pose the greatest risk will be destroyed first.

Tuesday's process consisted of GBM 55 rockets, which contain the nerve agent sarin. Officials are calling Tuesday a historical day for the arsenal as the incineration process is well underway.

This project began Monday with the arrival of three separate metal containers, each carrying two pallets of the GB nerve rockets. Tuesday the rockets were unloaded and the disposal process began.

Around 11:00 Tuesday morning, the first rocket was destroyed. In a late afternoon press conference, officials did say there were a couple of minor problems Tuesday morning, including a small leak.

And also, a low agent reading prompted employees to stop processing. Channel Seven has been told the leak has been fixed and the second rocket will be destroyed Tuesday.