Richmond Register
February 23, 2002

Army chemical weapons program manager retires

James L. Bacon, program manager for Chemical Demilitarization at the Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland, will retire from his position as program manager on April 3, 2002. As program manager, he has oversight of the execution and operation of all chemical demilitarization programs.

The organization he led for the last five years is charged with carrying out the national mission of destroying the United States' chemical weapons and related materials.

"I've known Jim Bacon for a lot of years," Blue Grass Army Depot Public Affairs Officer Dave Easter. "I've always thought him to be professional and a very personable individual. He had a lot of experience coming into this job. I think he served well as program manager."

A native Arkansan, Bacon said he will return to his home state where he began his public
service career more than 41 years ago with the Department of the Army.

"All of us who have worked with Jim Bacon appreciate his efforts and admire his commitment to excellence and safety in the chemical destruction program," said Mario Fiori, assistant secretary of the Army for Installations and Environment.

In his current position, Bacon has been responsible for oversight of the entire U.S. chemical weapons disposal program, a $24 billion program consistling of the chemical weapons stockpile disposal project, alternative technologies and approaches project, as well as the nonstockpile disposal project.

My involvement in the chemical demilitarization program has been the most rewarding and challenging experience of my Army career," Bacon said. "The opportunity to work with outstanding leaders, the citizens in the stockpile communities military and civilian employees and our contractors was very special to me. I shall cherish fond memories of the many new friends I made while having the opportunity to contribute to such an important mission during this time."

During his tenure, the chemical demilitarization program achieved many significant milestones, bringing the nation closer to eliminating its chemical weapon stockpile and complying with an international treaty. Since 1997, combined disposal operations at the Tooele Chemical Agent Disposal Facility in Utah and the Johnson Atoll Chemical Disposal System in the South Pacific eliminated more than 6,200 metric tons of chemical agent, or nearly 25 percent of the United States' chemical weapons stockpile. The Johnson Atoll facility completed destruction of its entire stockpile and is now in the closure phase.