This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2004, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Crews have successfully processed the last of 22 recovered chemical weapons that had been fired on Dugway Proving Ground ranges during chemical warfare testing in World War I and World War II. Processing of the last sarin-filled bomblet was dedicated to the late Monte Caldwell, a safety engineer who worked with the U.S. Army Chemical Materials Agency at nearby Tooele Chemical Agent Disposal Facility in Tooele County. Caldwell, 44, died at his home on Sept. 11 after a battle with cancer. "I am sure Monte would celebrate this accomplishment, just as we are today," said Dave Hoffman, leader of the Non-stockpile Chemical Materiel Program Operations. The munitions were processed by the Explosive Destruction System, which has been operating at Dugway since July 18. Teams used the mobile system to treat 13 mustard mortars, two sarin bomblets and seven containers of distilled sulfur mustard. The system uses an explosion and vapor containment chamber to detonate a munition. It then neutralizes the chemical agent inside an airtight chamber. Army officials ship the remaining liquid and fragments to commercial disposal sites.
