Breaking news

Last self-propelled chemical munition destroyed at depot

Published Wednesday, January 23rd, 2008

By the Herald staff

HERMISTON -- Workers at the Umatilla Chemical Depot destroyed the last of the Oregon stockpile's 14,519 M55 VX nerve agent rockets and warheads just after 5 a.m. today.

The VX rockets also were the last of a total of 105,961 VX-filled and GB sarin-filled rockets destroyed in Oregon and the last self-propelled chemical munitions in the depot stockpile.

"This is a true team accomplishment," said Don Barclay, site project manager for the Army. "The Army and its contractors worked many years to reduce the risk of chemical munitions and reach this important milestone. Our community is just that much safer now."

For the complete story, read Thursday's Tri-City Herald.