The Richmond Register

Local News

February 5, 2009

Storm slows ‘Swift Solution’

The recent inclement weather has put a temporary halt Operation Swift Solution at the Blue Grass Army Depot, and operations are to begin again on Monday, Feb. 9.

The project began in November and the goal is to destroy the contents of three, “ton” containers, one of which leaked in August 2007.

The operation is now in phase three, which involves processing the wastes generated during the management of current and previous operations associated with these containers.

When this is completed, the operational facilities will be shut down and the temporary structures and equipment will be shipped back to Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md.

Army teams, including members from the Edgewood Chemical Biological Center, the Blue Grass Chemical Activity, the Blue Grass Army Depot (BGAD), the Chemical Materials Agency and the U.S. Army Element, Assembled Chemical Weapons Alternatives, are involved in the destruction effort, with cooperation and oversight from local and state government agencies and daily oversight from the Kentucky Department for Environmental Protection.

“Safety was the number one consideration in the decision to halt operations,” said Johnnie Allen, BGCA civilian executive assistant. “The extended period of area-wide power outages, hazardous road conditions on the installation and unavailability of appropriate support personnel and facilities severely impacted the team’s ability to safely perform the mission, and the operation was therefore temporarily suspended.”

A limited crew is on site to perform maintenance and monitoring of the temporary facility and the filtration units to ensure the safety of the work force and community, according to Stephanie Parrett of the Blue Grass Outreach Office in Richmond.

Operations are expected to be completed in the late February, early March time frame, according to Katherine B. DeWeese, communications and congressional affairs, U.S. Army Element Assembled Chemical Weapons Alternatives.

Operation Swift Solution is an Army initiative that started operations Nov. 12, 2008, to destroy the contents of three steel containers commonly referred to as “ton containers,” that held a corrosive mixture of the nerve agent GB and its breakdown product.

The work is being performed by Edgewood Chemical Biological Center (ECBC) operators who are extensively trained and experienced in chemical operations, especially in neutralization and destruction of chemical warfare materiel, DeWeese said.

“Due to the unknowns regarding the nerve agent and its breakdown products in the containers, there were some initial challenges, but they were overcome by rigorous planning, analytical studies and pre-operational testing,” she said.

Operation Swift Solution has been a 24/7 operation since the beginning with the average workday being between 14 and 15 hours.

Visit www.pmacwa.army.mil/ky/swift_solution.htm for previous advisories and additional information.



Ronica Shannon can be reached at rshannon@richmondregister.com or 623-1669, Ext. 6698.

Text Only
Local News
  • Summer camp ‘slip sliding away’ Summer camp ‘slip sliding away’

    July 31, 2010 3 Photos

  • Berea’s ‘Head of the Holler’ series to air Sunday on KET

    A new video series titled “Head of the Holler” and produced by Berea College will debut on KET through August. The first episode will air Sunday and will feature renowned author Silas House.

    July 31, 2010

  • Reconstruction projects proposed Reconstruction projects proposed

    The public had an opportunity to ask questions and view proposed changes to the interchange at I-75 at KY 627 and the Colonel Road and Simpson Road intersection, during an informal meeting Thursday at White Hall Elementary School.

    July 31, 2010 1 Photo

  • Berea man hit by car in serious condition

    A Berea man is in serious condition after he was struck by a car Thursday evening.

    July 31, 2010

  • BREAKING NEWS: Florida woman injured in crash near Berea

    Berea Police responded Saturday to the scene of a multiple vehicle crashes on Interstate 75 northbound just north of Exit 76.
    At about 9:30 a.m., two separate crashes occurred simultaneously when drivers attempted to avoid a ladder in the center lane of the roadway.

    July 31, 2010

  • Damage from Berea flooding about $892K

    The water has long since seeped away, but the damage it left behind in Berea is now being tabulated.

    July 31, 2010

  • Baldwin Farms shows plastic cover, irrigation Baldwin Farms shows plastic cover, irrigation

    There has been no drought this summer. However, much of the rainfall has come in occasional downpours, which is not necessarily good for growing vegetables.

    July 30, 2010 1 Photo

  • Berea man struck by car in serious condition

    A Berea man is in serious condition after he was struck by a car Thursday evening. Frank Bloom, 59, is in serious condition at the University of Kentucky Medical Center. He walked into the parth of a car on KY 1016 at 9:30 p.m. Thursday, according to Berea Police. The accident occured in front of the Silver Creek Shell, 865 KY 1016.

    July 30, 2010

  • Berea men indicted for passing forged checks

    A Madison County grand jury returned an indictment Wednesday against two Berea men for allegedly passing multiple forged checks.

    July 30, 2010

  • Hearing waived

    A former employee of an adult day care facility waived her right to a preliminary hearing on an abuse charge Wednesday in Madison District Court.

    July 30, 2010

Community Calendar
Loading…
Events by eviesays.com
AP Video
Hyperlocal Search
Premier Guide
Find a business

Walking Fingers
Maps, Menus, Store hours, Coupons, and more...
Premier Guide
Popular Searches
Powered by Local.com
Seasonal Content