ANCA closure commemorates accomplishments

ANNISTON ARMY DEPOT, Ala. -- "ANCA's (Anniston Chemical Activity) dedicated work force can be proud of their accomplishments and just as proud of the great attitude and work ethic they demonstrated, even as they worked themselves out of a job," said Jesse E. Brown, III, ANCA Civilian Executive, during this week's closure ceremony.

Besides the dedication and professionalism of the ANCA work force, the centerpiece of the closure ceremony was the casing of its colors, a gold-colored-fringed deep blue flag with two white scrolls.

ANCA closed because the chemical munitions storage mission has ended with the safe demilitarization of Anniston's 661,529 chemical munitions in the Anniston Chemical Agent Disposal Facility.

The follow-on closure activities, such as igloo inspections and turn over or turn in of facilities and equipment, are nearly complete. A handful of ANCA employees will remain to close the fiscal books and lock the doors in late September.

ANCA employees were responsible for the safe storage and maintenance of seven percent of the U.S. stockpile of chemical weapons, which was located within the confines of the depot.

The stockpile included 142,428 GB nerve agent munitions; 219,374 VX nerve agent munitions; and 299,727 mustard-filled munitions. Collectively, the munitions held some 2,254 tons of chemical warfare materiel. Storage and demilitarization operations safely concluded in September 2011.

At its peak, ANCA had more than 170 employees. The number of employees is now less than 40, a reduction achieved primarily through attrition and retirements.

Additional employees are planning to retire at the end of this month. Eighteen employees, who received Reduction in Force letters earlier this year, must be off ANCA's roles by the end of June. Thirteen have secured replacement jobs and Army Civilian Personnel specialists are assisting the other employees.

"ANCA, and the depot before it, quietly and safely stored the chemical weapons for almost 40 years until the ANCDF came to town," Brown said. "The heightened awareness during construction of the (demilitarization) facility cast the spotlight on the potential dangers of the stockpile and the risk it presented to the surrounding community."

Briggs, one of nine former commanders, represented ANCA's Maryland-based headquarters.

In addition to recognizing the contributions of many individuals and organizations in ANCA's mission success, Briggs presented Brown the Commander's Award for Civilian Service for his work during the past year to ensure ANCA's efficient and timely closure.

"ANCA didn't accomplish its mission alone. The depot can be proud of the support they provided and the part they played in the successful disposal of the chemical weapons stored here at Anniston," said Brown during the ceremony.

"I look around the room and see CAIRA (Chemical Accident and Incident Response and Assistance) team members and Surety Board members and folks who helped us with years of treaty and surety inspections and CSEPP IPT (Chemical Stockpile Emergency Preparedness Program Integrated Process Team) members. Everyone here at Anniston Army Depot and the support we received from the community contributed to ANCA's success."

More than 400 depot employees volunteered to serve as CAIRA members or the depot's first responder team. They came together on a quarterly basis during scripted disaster exercises to test response capabilities during unlikely incidents and accidents. State and surrounding County Emergency Management Agencies and community-based first responders were also involved. ANCA also worked with international representatives when chemical weapons treaty observers from The Hague-based Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons conducted biannual inspections of the Anniston stockpile.

The success of ANCA in working to safely eliminate the Anniston chemical munitions stockpile earned the Activity the U.S. Army's prestigious Superior Unit Award (2003-2004). Awarded on October 1, 2004, the citation officially commended ANCA's "meritorious performance of a difficult and challenging mission."