Blue Grass Army Depot

"Pioneers in quality and innovation"

BGAD NEWS

BGAD COMMENTS/NOISE COMPLAINTS

You may also email your comments/complaints to:

usarmy.bluegrass.jmc.mbx.bgad-comments-complaints@army.mil

Phone: 859-779-6267

Leave Comments/Complaints Only.

OPEN BURN & OPEN DETONATION

Daily Scheduling Information.

(Daily recordings containing updates on whether or not BGAD has open burns and/or open detonations scheduled for that day)

Phone: 859-779-6397

Info line only. Do not leave messages.

★ DETONATION & TEST RANGE STATUS UPDATES ★

Mission

Blue Grass Army Depot provides America's Joint Warfighters with quality, timely, and reliable munitions, chemical defense equipment, non-lethal combat equipment, and force provider sets, in support of the full spectrum of Military Operations. Additionally, safeguard the storage and destruction of contaminated secondary waste.

Vision

Provide responsive, agile, and innovative munition / material strategic support to the Joint Force.

Overview

BGAD stands ready to arm America's joint warfighters with excellence. Under our watch, we deliver munitions, chemical defense systems, non-lethal combat equipment, and fully equipped force provider sets - each piece designed with the utmost quality, timeliness, and reliability - to ensure our troops possess every advantage across the entire spectrum of military operations.

We recognize that excellence on the battlefield begins with meticulous support off it. These efforts aren't just about logistics, they're about protecting the space that sustains our readiness, ensuring our troops have the secure, high-quality support they need to defend our freedom today and tomorrow.

Leadership

  • Colonel Carlos G. Wandembergh
    Commander
    Colonel Carlos G. Wandembergh
  • Mr. Chris Lee
    Deputy to the Commander
    Mr. Chris Lee

  •  • Storage, receipt, issue, inspection, maintenance and demilitarization of conventional ammunition

    • Surveillance, receipt, storage, issue, testing, and minor repair of individual chemical defense equipment

    • Nonstandard ammunition support

    • Force Provider care of systems in storage

    • ISO container inspection and repair for the southeastern United States

    • 1,220 buildings
    • Over 902 earth-covered magazines
    • 12 Above Ground Magazines
    • 2 Rail Holding Yards
    • 17 Rail Loading Docks
    • 21 Shipping/Receiving Pads
    • 4 Locomotives
    • 59 Army Railcars
    • Modern Consolidated Shipping Center
    • 2.2 million square feet storage capacity
    • 15,000 acres

  • Anniston Munitions Center

    Scranton Army Ammunition Plant

History

The Blue Grass Army Depot (BGAD), located in Richmond, Ky., was established in 1941 and began operations in 1942 as an ammunition and general supply storage depot, the Blue Grass Ordnance Depot. In 1964, it merged with the Lexington Signal Depot, Avon, Kentucky, to become the Lexington-Blue Grass Army Depot. The Lexington facility was selected for closure under BRAC (Base Realignment And Closure); after it closed in September 1999, the remaining facility received its current designation.

The Blue Grass Army Depot is responsible for manufacturing, resetting, and maintaining Army equipment, providing America's Joint Warfighters with quality, timely, and reliable crucial materiel, including munitions, chemical defense equipment, non-lethal combat equipment, and force provider sets, in support of full spectrum of Military Operations. The primary function of BGAD is to receive, store, inspect, surveil, ship, and demilitarize/destroy conventional munitions.

The depot also safeguarded America's chemical munition stockpiles, which completed demilitarization on July 7, 2023, and is currently undergoing remediation and closing procedures. In 2023, a federally mandated feasibility study initiated a series of depot-wide workload research studies, which are developing prospective future workload options for BGAD, the US Army, and the OIB so the depot can continue providing responsive, agile, and innovative munition and materiel strategic support to America's Joint Armed Forces.

BGAD also serves as a large training facility for Army Natural Guard and Army Reserve Soldiers and service members from America's other military branches, ROTC cadets and JROTC cadets.

Historical image of open storage (date unknown) at Blue Grass Army Depot.
1 / 14 Historical image of open storage (date unknown) at Blue Grass Army Depot. (Historical U.S. Army photo by Blue Grass Army Depot) (Photo Credit: Dori Whipple) View original
Historical illustration of Lexington Signal Depot (Blue Grass Army Depot).
2 / 14 Historical illustration of Lexington Signal Depot (Blue Grass Army Depot). (Historical U.S. Army illustration by Blue Grass Army Depot) (Photo Credit: Dori Whipple) View original
Historical illustration of Lexington Signal Depot (Blue Grass Army Depot).
3 / 14 Historical illustration of Lexington Signal Depot (Blue Grass Army Depot). (Historical U.S. Army illustration by Blue Grass Army Depot) (Photo Credit: Dori Whipple) View original
Historical illustration of Lexington Signal Depot (Blue Grass Army Depot).
4 / 14 Historical illustration of Lexington Signal Depot (Blue Grass Army Depot). (Historical U.S. Army illustration by Blue Grass Army Depot) (Photo Credit: Dori Whipple) View original
Historical illustration of Lexington Signal Depot (Blue Grass Army Depot).
5 / 14 Historical illustration of Lexington Signal Depot (Blue Grass Army Depot). (Historical U.S. Army illustration by Blue Grass Army Depot) (Photo Credit: Dori Whipple) View original
Historical photo of Lexington Signal Depot (now known as Blue Grass Army Depot) license plate.
6 / 14 Historical photo of Lexington Signal Depot (now known as Blue Grass Army Depot) license plate. (Historical U.S. Army photo by Blue Grass Army Depot) (Photo Credit: Dori Whipple) View original
Historical photo of Blue Grass Army Depot employees in 1946 opening returned materials for inspection.
7 / 14 Historical photo of Blue Grass Army Depot employees in 1946 opening returned materials for inspection. (Historical U.S. Army photo by Blue Grass Army Depot formerly Lexington Signal Depot) (Photo Credit: Dori Whipple) View original
Historical photo of the inside of a storage igloo at Blue Grass Army Depot.
8 / 14 Historical photo of the inside of a storage igloo at Blue Grass Army Depot. (Historical U.S. Army photo by Blue Grass Army Depot) (Photo Credit: Dori Whipple) View original
Historical illustration of Lexington Signal Depot (Blue Grass Army Depot).
9 / 14 Historical illustration of Lexington Signal Depot (Blue Grass Army Depot). (Historical U.S. Army illustration by Blue Grass Army Depot) (Photo Credit: Dori Whipple) View original
Historical photo of Blue Grass Army Depot employees loading mines.
10 / 14 Historical photo of Blue Grass Army Depot employees loading mines. (Historical U.S. Army photo by Blue Grass Army Depot) (Photo Credit: Dori Whipple) View original
Historical photo of Blue Grass Army Depot employees handling linked ammunition.
11 / 14 Historical photo of Blue Grass Army Depot employees handling linked ammunition. (Historical U.S. Army photo by Blue Grass Army Depot) (Photo Credit: Dori Whipple) View original
Historical photo of Blue Grass Army Depot employees working on munitions.
12 / 14 Historical photo of Blue Grass Army Depot employees working on munitions. (Historical U.S. Army photo by Blue Grass Army Depot) (Photo Credit: Dori Whipple) View original
Historical photo of Blue Grass Army Depot technicians performing maintenance on industrial equipment.
13 / 14 Historical photo of Blue Grass Army Depot technicians performing maintenance on industrial equipment. (Historical U.S. Army photo by Blue Grass Army Depot) (Photo Credit: Dori Whipple) View original
Historical photo of Blue Grass Army Depot technicians using a crane to lift components from flatbed railcar.
14 / 14 Historical photo of Blue Grass Army Depot technicians using a crane to lift components from flatbed railcar. (Historical U.S. Army photo by Blue Grass Army Depot) (Photo Credit: Dori Whipple) View original

For more historical information about Blue Grass Army Depot, contact the U.S. Army Sustainment Command History Office: 309-782-5046

Email: usarmy.ria.asc.list.history@army.mil

BGAD Resources

Daily Notifications

No Notifications at this time.

CMF - Construction of a Container Manufacturing Facility Environmental Assessment & Findings

I. Facility Description
BGAD is a 14,596-acre facility operated by the United States Army and is located in Madison County, Kentucky. The depot was established in April 1942 during World War II by the War Department as an ordnance supply depot. The facility address is 431 Battlefield Memorial Highway, Richmond, Kentucky.

II. Proposed Activity
A worldwide shortage of shipping containers due to aging inventory presents an opportunity for BGAD to expand its capabilities and produce metal shipping containers for Department of War (DoW) use, which would reduce the risk posed by the current near-total reliance on Asian suppliers. BGAD is proposing to construct a Military Container Production Facility with two (2) production lines with two (2) shift operations. The facility will include a 610,000 sq ft production building, a 40,000 sq ft container maintenance shop, and a 310,000 sq ft outdoor storage area for finished goods over a 50-acre footprint. This facility has the potential to create additional new jobs at the depot.

III. Environmental Assessment
In order to meet the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (Title 42 United States Code (USC) § 4321 et seq.) (NEPA); and DoW NEPA Implementing Procedures issued 30 April 2026, the U.S. Army conducted an Environmental Assessment (EA) to evaluate the potential environmental impacts of the proposed action. The areas of environmental analysis examined in the EA included land use, air quality, water resources, human health and safety, cultural resources, and threatened/endangered species. The EA final report dated May 2026 concluded that the proposed action would have no reasonably foreseeable significant effects on the quality of the human environment.

IV. Finding of No Significant Impact
In keeping with the NEPA process, a draft “Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI)” was made available for a 15-day public comment period in June 2026. The stakeholder and public comments were reviewed, addressed, and the proposed action will be implemented with no significant impact on the environment. The FONSI was finalized on June 25, 2026.

▶ Environmental Assessment Final Report

▶ Finding of No Significant Impact Statement

Natural Resources Projects

The monarch butterfly, with its striking orange and black markings, is one of the most recognizable species in North America. They make an amazing migration each year, flying from as far as Canada and across the United States to congregate at a few forested overwintering sites in the mountains of central Mexico and coastal California.

Over the past two decades, monarch numbers in North America have declined, prompting the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to join state agencies, federal agencies, and non-government groups to identify threats to the monarch and take steps to conserve monarchs throughout their range. Blue Grass Army Depot is part of the migration path that the monarchs travel, so thankfully the butterflies can be seen in the summer in areas that contain milkweed and other flowering plants.

As an additional protection measure, the monarch has been proposed to be federally listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act, however, the protections will not apply until the date of final rule, but the BGAD Natural Resources program is taking a pro-active approach to both tagging monarchs and preparing for habitat restoration.

Military Training Program

Blue Grass Army Depot offers multiple Military Occupational Specialties (MOS) training opportunities to all Army Components as well as all DOD Joint Services.

Operation Patriot Press Trains Tennessee Guard Unit at the Blue Grass Army Depot
A Soldier with 1176th Transportation Company, a Tennessee Army National Guard unit, drives a drone while training at the Blue Grass Army Depot in Richmond, Kentucky, f4rom June 14-24.

The 1176th participated in an Operation Patriot Press storage-improvement mission, assisting BGAD employees in moving munitions throughout the depot, freeing up storage space in BGAD’s underground munitions bunkers, called Igloos, to make room for additional munitions.

Photo courtesy of the 1176th Transportation Company. (Photo Credit: Willliam D. Ritter) View original
Operation Patriot Press Trains Tennessee Guard Unit at the Blue Grass Army Depot
The 1176th Transportation Company, a Tennessee Army National Guard unit, transports munitions around the Blue Grass Army Depot in Richmond, Kentucky, from June 14-24.

The 1176th participated in an Operation Patriot Press storage-improvement mission, assisting BGAD employees in moving munitions throughout the depot, freeing up storage space in BGAD’s underground munitions bunkers, called Igloos, to make room for additional munitions. (Photo Credit: Willliam D. Ritter) View original
Marine Reserve Unit takes part in training exercises at BGAD
A Marine with Detachment 1, Supply Company, Combat Logistics Battalion 453, bands a refurbished pallet of 500 lb. bombs with a Blue Grass Army Depot employee. The Marine Reserve Unit from Topeka, Kansas, spent two weeks training at the Richmond, Kentucky, depot with BGAD employees to improve their ammunition operations skills. (Photo courtesy of Detachment 1, Supply Company, Combat Logistics Battalion 453) (Photo Credit: Willliam D. Ritter) View original
Operation Patriot Press Trains Tennessee Guard Unit at the Blue Grass Army Depot
A Soldier with 1176th Transportation Company, a Tennessee Army National Guard unit, drives a forklift, loading munitions, while training at the Blue Grass Army Depot in Richmond, Kentucky, from June 14-24.

The 1176th primarily trained in an Operation Patriot Press storage-improvement mission. However, the unit was able to get their Soldiers certified in forklift operations at BGAD, a task not available at their home stations.

Photo courtesy of the 1176th Transportation Company. (Photo Credit: Willliam D. Ritter) View original

Blue Grass Army Depot is a multi-functional ordnance depot with expertise in ammo storage, shipping, maintenance and demil. However, BGAD's Military Training Program (MTP) is designed to support training needs for both ammo and non-ammo related units. Units can offset their training costs through direct support of BGAD mission workload.

ORGANIC INDUSTRIAL BASE

The Army’s Organic Industrial Base (OIB) in Kentucky. A WIN for Our Nation's Warfighters and Your Business. Behind the world’s greatest military power is the Organic Industrial Base – government-owned and private organizations with the mission to ensure our country’s armed forces remain ready during times of war or peace.

PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS

OIB workers and capabilities must be sustained and modernized at high levels during periods of ever-changing military requirements. This sustainment is accomplished in large part via Public-Private Partnerships (P3s).

LEARN MORE

To learn more about how your company can benefit from partnering with and taking advantage of BGAD’s extensive range of capabilities, skilled workforce, facilities, high security, and transportation-friendly location – contact:

BGAD Business Development Officer
Phone: 859-779-6787
Email: usarmy.bluegrass.jmc.list.bgad-business-dev@army.mil

BGAD Partnering Info Sheet [PDF - 1.2 MB]

OPPORTUNITY FOR PERSONAL GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT

A career in the federal government offers the opportunity to grow both personally and professionally with training on several levels. Throughout your career as a federal employee, you will be able to develop and hone your professional, leadership, and safety skills.

JOB SECURITY

The Department of the Army is the 2nd largest federal employer with jobs in every single state. This allows for many career paths that permit you to choose the best work/life balance for you.

OUTSTANDING BENEFITS PACKAGE

The Federal Health Insurance Program is a nationally recognized model that offers choice and flexibility with substantial employer contribution to premiums.

The Leave policy provides ample time off to take care of your personal, recreational, or health care needs. In addition to 11 paid holidays, you can accumulate, based on a 4/10 work week, 10.4 days of sick leave each year along with 10.4 to 20.8 vacation days, depending on the number of years employed.

Federal Agencies offer a wide range of options for your work/life balance such as flexible spending accounts and employee assistance programs.

Careers at Blue Grass Army Depot

Get job-specific information and apply online at USAJOBS:

▶  www.usajobs.gov Location: Blue Grass Army Depot

Before you apply 

Entrance to Depot

To gain access to the Blue Grass Army Depot, visitors must first be vetted through the depot’s Visitor Center and undergo a National Crime Information Center (NCIC) security check. BGAD’s Visitor Center, located just outside BGAD's main gate in building 50628, is the first small brick building on the right, NOT the large Armed Forces Reserve Center building to the left/straight upon entrance.

Effective May 07, 2025, the only accepted credentials for access to the BGAD are the REAL ID driver’s license or a Government Common Access Card (CAC).

To get your REAL ID, visit: www.drive.ky.gov/RealID

Depot address: 431 Battlefield Memorial Hwy., Richmond, KY 40475

Main Gate Directions:

  • From I-75 take exit 83/Duncannon Lane/Rt. 2872 to the Rt. 25 traffic light.
  • Right onto Rt. 25 S to left onto Rt. 421 S. (Battlefield Memorial Hwy.)

Left off 421 S. into BGAD’s entrance

  • (at BGAD sign).
Map Illustration to locate entrance points to Blue Grass Army Depot.
Map Illustration to locate entrance points to Blue Grass Army Depot. (U.S. Army illustration by William Ritter, Blue Grass Army Depot) (Photo Credit: Dori Whipple) View original

Ammunition Delivery Gate Directions (open 24/7):

  • From I-75 take exit 83/Duncannon Lane/Rt. 2872 to the Rt. 25 traffic light.
  • Go straight through the light into BGAD’s deliver entrance.

If you have additional entrance questions, please call BGAD’s Installation Security Specialist at (859) 779-6106, Mon. – Thur., 0630-1700 or BGAD’s Gate Security Office (24/7) at (859) 779-6523.

ID Cards/DEERS

The Blue Grass Army Depot is here to assist enrollment in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) and provide Common Access Cards (CAC) and/or Official Identification Cards (ID) to Soldiers, Family Members, Retirees as well as Civilian and Contract Employee.

Location: Building 50628. The first brick building on the right after coming through the main entrance.

Blue Grass Army Depot Map Illustration to locate the ID card office.
Blue Grass Army Depot Map Illustration to locate the ID card office. (U.S. Army illustration by William Ritter, Blue Grass Army Depot) (Photo Credit: Dori Whipple) View original

Operating Hourse: Mon-Thurs 0600-1600, Closed Fri-Sun.

Phone: 859-779-6090/6091 If there is no answer, keep trying. The ID card workers have many other job tasks. Call the ID office prior to departing for BGAD to ensure they are available and DEERS is working.

LOCAL AREA INFORMATION

Richmond https://richmondky.gov/

Berea https://www.visitberea.com/

Lexington https://www.visitlex.com/

Winchester https://www.winchesterky.com/

Eastern Kentucky University https://www.eku.edu/

University of Kentucky https://www.uky.edu/

Berea College https://www.berea.edu/

National College https://an.edu/

Baptist Health, Richmond https://www.baptisthealth.com/locations/baptist-health-richmond

FAQ

  • To gain access to the Depot, you must be vetted. This background check can be done at the badge and ID office inside the main gate. Click here for our Visiting the Depot page.

  • The noise you are hearing is from our open-detonation field to follow the Department of Defense’s guidelines of disposing of unusable or damaged munitions. BGAD is closely monitored by the Kentucky Department of Environmental Protection and adheres to multiple federal, Army, state, and local regulations. Citizens who wish to register a complaint or file a claim for damages may do so by calling BGAD's Comment/Complaint Hotline at 859-779-6267 or email at usarmy.bluegrass.jmc.mbx.bgad-comments-complaints@army.mil

  • All of our employment positions are listed on USAJobs.gov and can be found by searching by zip code. If you are interested in working for one of the tenants or contractors located on the Depot, click here to go to our employment page for their respective websites.

  • The Depot’s badging office is able to make ID cards for active duty members and their dependents as well as retirees and their dependents. For more information, please call the badging office at (859) 779-6090/6091.

  • Free legal assistance is offered for active duty members and their dependents as well as retiree ID cardholders and their dependents. To get more information about services offered, please call the Legal Office at (859) 779-6693.

  • The Depot itself is not able to promote or advertise for individuals or businesses, however, you may contact the Morale, Welfare, & Recreation department at (859) 779-6464 for a case-by-case evaluation of your event or business advertisement.

The public affairs officer is responsible for public inquiries, media requests, and arranging tours of Blue Grass Army Depot.

Contacts

  • Blue Grass Army Depot Public Affairs Office

    Phone: 859-779-6941

    Address: Building 219 (Public Affairs) 431 Battlefield Memorial Highway Richmond, KY 40475-5001

    Email: usarmy.bluegrass.jmc.mbx.bgad-pao@mail.mil

  • Phone: 859-779-6267 (Leave Comments/Complaints Only.)

    Email: usarmy.bluegrass.jmc.mbx.bgad-comments-complaints@army.mil

  • BGAD's Open Burn & Open Detonation (OB/OD) Daily Scheduling Information.

    (Daily recordings containing updates on whether or not BGAD has open burns and/or open detonations scheduled for that day)

    Phone: 859-779-6397 (Info line only. Do not leave messages.)

  • Command Group (Commander/ Deputy to the Commander/Executive Assistance) - Extension 6246

    Chief of Staff (CoS) - 6605

    OPS - Plans & Operations - 6718

    OPS - Operations Specialist - 6313

    OPS - Operations Specialist - 6225

    BDO - Business Development Officer (BDO) - 6698

    MA - Military Affairs - 6649

    IR - Internal Review-Auditor - 6650

    Chief of Mission Management (CoMM) – Director - 6674

    CoMM - Program Manager Commodity Storage-Movement - 6842

    CoMM - Munitions Division - 6045

    CoMM - Chemical Defense Equipment - 6308

    COMM - Force Provider APS - 6657         

    CoMM - Non-Standard Ammo (SOF) - 6670

    CoMM - Program Manager, Maintenance & Demil (M&D) - 6872

    CoMM - M&D Division Chief - 6242

    CoMM - M&D Engineering & Planning - 6242

    CoMM - Quality Assurance - 6392

    CoMM - Enterprise Resource Planning - 6938

    CoMM - Mission Ops Center / Transportation - 6141

    CoMM - Inventory - 6394

    CoMM - Operations Specialist - 6087

    Civilian Personnel Advisory Center (CPAC) Human Resources (New Hires) | 6845/6841/6849

    Dept. of Information Management (DolM) - Director - 6714

    DolM - Information Systems Security Manager - 6718

    DolM - Dial Central Office Tech - 7445

    DolM - IT Information Systems Security Officer - 6792

    DolM - IT Specialists | 6719/6715/6701/6708

    Army Enterprise Service Desk (IT issues) 1-866-335-ARMY (2769)

    IMCOM -Garrison Manager (DES, DPW, MWR) – 6249

    Directorate of Emergency Services (DES) - Director - 6257

Scrap Metal Sales

Scrap Metal Sales Flyer for Blue Grass Army Depot.
Scrap Metal Sales flyer for Blue Grass Army Depot. (U.S. Army illustration by William Ritter, Blue Grass Army Depot) (Photo Credit: Dori Whipple) View original

Pay.gov

________________________________________________________________________________________________

BGAD Recycling Program

Blue Grass Army Depot recycling program flyer
Blue Grass Army Depot recycling program flyer. (U.S. Army illustration by William Ritter, Blue Grass Army Depot) (Photo Credit: Willliam D. Ritter) View original

For more information contact us at:

usarmy.bluegrass.jmc.mbx.bgad-qrp@army.mil

Morale, Welfare, Recreation (MWR)

BGAD MWR Hours: Monday-Thursday: 8:30 am-4:00 pm, Closed Friday-Sunday.

Subject to closure between 11:00 pm-1:00 pm due to operating the Igloo Club Eatery.

▶ General MWR Website

Lake Buck Lodge

FOR RENT: Large Gathering Banquet Hall Facilities with Patio Overlooking the Blue Grass Army Depot's Lake Buck great for wedding, meetings, parties, receptions, etc.

Host Up to 150 People - Daily, Overnight & Weekend Rental Rates Available

▶ Listed fees

To Learn More or Reserve a Date, call 859-779-6464

Equipment Rental

Phone: 859-779-7333

Outdoor Recreation has an extensive list of equipment available for a variety of activities and occasions. Equipment available: campers, pontoon, canoes, kayaks, folding tables and chairs, grills, dunk tank, canopies, picnic shelter rentals and much more!

▶ Complete list of equipment available to rent

Leisure Travel Services Phone: 859-779-6164

The Blue Grass MWR Ticket Office offers a variety of discounted tickets to popular theme park attractions.

Get tickets to Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando Resort, Dollywood, SeaWorld Orlando, Discovery Cove, Six Flags Over Georgia, Legoland, Disneyland, and more! Many of our tickets are giftable!

▶ Complete list of Leisure Travel Services available

▶ Outdoor Recreation Information

Phone: 859-779-6464

Note: BGAD’s Golf Course and Swimming Pool are closed until further notice .

▶ Sports & Fitness Programs

Fitness Center Phone: 859-779-6403

Igloo Club Eatery (859) 779-6406