Published: June 20, 2006 08:232 am      

Depot chemical stockpile agency meets critical inspection

Ronica Shannon
Register News Writer

The Blue Grass Chemical Activity unit based at the Blue Grass Army Depot recently passed the most comprehensive inspection given within the Army, according to Dick Sloan, public information officer for the BGCA.

The group is charged with the safe storage and monitoring of the chemical weapons stockpile at the depot.

The five-day inspection, conducted by 12 members of the Department of Army Inspector General's office, is done every two years for all chemical weapon storage site.

"It was very tough, but it was supposed to be," said Lt. Col. George Shuplinkov. "The team is detail-oriented and looks at everything we do, makes sure we're following regulations along with safety and security guidelines. This inspection was the toughest challenge during my command and failure was not an option."

The team spent 10-hour days looking at how weapons were stored and monitored, aspects of safety for workers and the community and how the weapons were handled.

The inspection also included an audit of the medical program that included the depot's medical clinic to the written agreements with local hospitals and ambulance services.

Security also was evaluated including the physical security of the stockpile along with all other security aspects, Sloan said.

Little effort was needed to prepare for the inspection, Shuplinkov said.

"We don't get ready for an inspection at the Blue Grass Chemical Activity because we're ready every day of the year."

The exhausting inspection did, however, uncover some areas that needed work, said Thom Bilyeu, director of Mission Operations.

"It's good to have another set of eyes looking at what you do to help you keep from making mistakes," he said. "Everything the inspector general team found that needed fixing was fixed on the spot. We'll work better and safer with this kind of oversight."

The inspection is only one of several the BGCA must pass on a yearly basis, said Sgt. First Class Michael Blow, the BGCA senior enlisted advisor.

"Although it's the most comprehensive, there are areas that the inspector general doesn't look at," Blow said. "For those areas, we have other inspections, such as International Treaty inventory or the Chemical Stockpile Emergency Preparedness Program. We stay on our toes every day."

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Ronica Shannon can be reached at rshannon@richmondregister.com or 623-1669, Ext. 234.