PINE BLUFF, AR (AP) -- As the Pine Bluff Arsenal in Arkansas is in its final phase of destroying chemical weapons, the Army says it has destroyed the last of its weapons containing deadly nerve agents at the Anniston Army Depot in Alabama.
An Army statement said the last weapon containing VX nerve agent was destroyed at the depot's chemical weapons incinerator yesterday. All that remains now are weapons loaded with mustard agent, which is far less dangerous.
The Pine Bluff Arsenal began its final phase this month, destroying a one-ton container of a mustard agent. Arsenal officials say it should take about three years to complete the work.
The Army is destroying its chemical weapons stockpile under an international treaty that calls for the disposal work to be completed by 2012.
Before the treaty, the Pine Bluff Arsenal held about 12 percent of the Army's chemical weapons. Destruction at the arsenal began in March 2005.
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
