A Wonder Week of Ones and Zeros at PCAPP
Hot on the heels of a very successful Department of Army Inspector General inspection, PCAPP hit two major milestones involving ones and zeros. On Saturday, May 8, entrants completed the 10,000th Demilitarization Protective Ensemble (DPE) entry and just three days later, on May 11, PCAPP processed the 100,000th 105mm munition. PCAPP is the most prodigious chemical agent projectile destruction plant in the United States.
“It feels good to be a part of a team that takes pride in performing their work, day-in and day-out safely and compliantly,” said Operations Manager Cliff Walter. “It was a total team effort reaching these milestones.”
10,000 DPE Entries
Four and a half years after the very first DPE entry at PCAPP, Waste Operator Felicia Clarke and Entry Support Area Tender Ezra Maldonado made the entry to decontaminate a part of the Explosion Containment Room in the Enhanced Reconfiguration Building.
“Every entry is a milestone for me, but 10,000 entries is a milestone for demilitarization,” Clarke said. “It means a lot to me that I am able to be part of PCAPP history as well as [chem] demil history.”
On hand for the destruction of the 100,000th 105mm round on Tuesday, May 11: Operations Manager Cliff Walter, Control Room Operators Josh Barron and Corey Powell, Control Room Superintendent Kevin Love, Deputy Plant Manager Jim Brewer and Alpha Plant Shift Manager Cory Jaramillo.
100,000 105mm Rounds Destroyed
On Tuesday, May 11, PCAPP crews processed the 100,000th 105mm round, representing over 26% completion of the 105mm campaign and 72% of total agent stockpile destroyed.
Alpha Plant Shift Manager Cory Jaramillo was present when the 100,000th round entered the Agent Processing Building. “This is a testament to the commitment and dedication of operational excellence by the PCAPP personnel,” Jaramillo said. “With every hurdle, this team continues to display their ability to conquer the challenge and adapt to change.” In addition to the pandemic, hurdles include a complete changeover from the 155mm munition campaign and a series of leakers from decaying rounds.
Deputy Plant Manager Jim Brewer praised the entire PCAPP team. “The 100,000th was an accomplishment by the entire site,” Brewer said. “This team has overcome so many challenges yet is still so successful. I am proud to be part of the PCAPP team.”
A Month of Milestones
May is a month of milestones for PCAPP. In addition to the wonder week of ones and zeros, on May 5, PCAPP celebrated 50% munitions destruction, achieved April 26, with a brief presentation by leadership and a luncheon for the workforce. Program Executive Office, Assembled Chemical Weapons Alternatives Mr. Michael Abaie praised PCAPP. “The fact that you all embraced the plant going nonstop, achieving more than anyone would have thought during the COVID-19 pandemic, is remarkable,” Abaie said. “I am constantly discussing the achievements of this program, including many of you who have been involved in this program for a long time.”
