Stockpile of VX nerve agent destroyed

ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md., Dec. 30 (UPI) -- One of the few remaining stockpiles of VX nerve agent has been safely destroyed, according to the U.S. Army Chemical Materials Agency.

CMA officials say the final mine of VX nerve agent at the CMA Anniston Chemical Agent Disposal Facility in Alabama was recently destroyed, marking the official elimination of one of the last remaining stockpiles at the facility of the dangerous chemical warfare agent, the CMA reported.

Developed in the 1950s, VX nerve agent was designed for use in chemical warfare weapons to attack the enemy's nervous system. CMA officials say U.S. troops never used the VX agent in combat.

A stockpile of VX agent remains at the U.S. Army Element Assembled Chemical Weapons Alternatives-operated Blue Grass Chemical Activity in Kentucky. Officials say the Blue Grass stockpile has been scheduled for elimination.

"I commend Anniston and all CMA destruction sites on this extraordinary achievement," Conrad Whyne, CMA director, said in a statement.

"By destroying the VX agent at each of CMA's destruction sites, you have made the world a much safer place."