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{{Short description|United States Army arsenal}}
The '''Pine Bluff Arsenal''' (PBA) is a [[US Army]] installation located in [[Jefferson County, Arkansas]], just northwest of the city of [[Pine Bluff, Arkansas|Pine Bluff]]. PBA is one of nine Army installations in the United States that stored [[chemical weapons]].<ref>[http://www.cma.army.mil/pinebluff.aspx Summary of PBA from the US Army Chemical Materials Agency website ]</ref> PBA supplies specialized production, storage, maintenance and distribution of readiness products, and delivers technical services to the Armed Forces and Homeland Security. PBA also designs, manufactures and refurbishes smoke, riot control, and incendiary munitions, as well as chemical/biological defense operations items. It serves as a technology center for illuminating and infrared munitions and is also the only place in the Northern Hemisphere where white phosphorus munitions are filled. Its Homeland Security mission includes first-responder equipment training and surveillance of prepositioned equipment.
{{About|the military installation in Arkansas|other uses|Pine Bluff (disambiguation)}}
{{Infobox military installation
| name = Pine Bluff Arsenal
| location = [[Jefferson County, Arkansas]]
| image = ISS027-E-34631 - View of Arkansas.jpg
| image_size = 300
| alt = Satellite image of Pine Bluff Arsenal, in color
| caption = [[NASA]] 2011 Satellite Photo
| image2 = AMC shoulder insignia.svg
| caption2 = [[United States Army Materiel Command|AMC]] Shoulder Sleeve Insignia
| type = [[Arsenal]]
| coordinates = {{coord|34|19|57|N|92|05|12|W|region:US-AR_type:landmark|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
| pushpin_map = Arkansas
| pushpin_mapsize = 250
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in Arkansas
| pushpin_label = '''Pine Bluff Arsenal'''
| pushpin_label_position = left
| ownership = {{army|USA}}
| open_to_public = No
| site_area = {{convert|13493|acre|ha sqmi|lk=on}}
| code = <!--facility/installation code, applies to US -->
| built = {{Start date and age|1941|11|02|p=yes}}
| builder = [[United States Army Corps of Engineers|Corps of Engineers]]
| battles = {{tree list}}
* [[World War II]]
** [[American Theater (World War II)|American Campaign]]
{{tree list/end}}
| website = {{URL|pba.army.mil}}
}}
The '''Pine Bluff Arsenal''' is a [[United States Army]] installation in [[Jefferson County, Arkansas|Jefferson County]], [[Arkansas]], about eight miles northwest of [[Pine Bluff, Arkansas|Pine Bluff]] and thirty miles southeast of [[Little Rock, Arkansas|Little Rock]].
 
Pine Bluff Arsenal is one of nine Army installations in the United States that stored [[chemical weapons]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.cma.army.mil/pinebluff.aspx |title=Summary of PBA from the US Army Chemical Materials Agency website |access-date=2009-07-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091127052856/http://www.cma.army.mil/pinebluff.aspx |archive-date=2009-11-27 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The arsenal supplies specialized production, storage, maintenance and distribution of readiness products, and delivers technical services to the Armed Forces and Homeland Security. It also designs, manufactures and refurbishes smoke, riot control, and incendiary munitions, as well as chemical/biological defense operations items. It serves as a technology center for illuminating and infrared munitions and is also the only place in the Northern Hemisphere where [[white phosphorus munitions]] are filled. Its Homeland Security mission includes first-responder equipment training and surveillance of pre-positioned equipment.
==Capabilities==
Capabilities of the center include: chemical defense and test equipment; individual and collective chemical protection and decontamination systems; chemical material surveillance program; machining, fabrication and assembly; specialty ammunition production; less than lethal ammunition production; and quality assurance and joint logistics services.
 
==History==
===World War II===
PBA was established in November 1941 for the manufacture of incendiary grenades and bombs. It was originally named the Chemical Warfare Arsenal but was renamed four months later.<ref name=PBCA>[http://www.globalsecurity.org/wmd/facility/pine_bluff.htm Pine Bluff Chemical Activity (PBCA)]</ref> The mission expanded to include production and storage of pyrotechnic, riot control, and chemical-filled munitions. At the height of [[World War II]], the plant expanded from making magnesium and thermite incendiary munitions to a chemical warfare manufacturing facility as well, producing lethal gases and chemical compounds installed in artillery shells and specifically designed bombs.<ref name=Encyclo>[http://www.encyclopediaofarkansas.net/encyclopedia/entry-detail.aspx?entryID=2927 Encyclopedia of Arkansas History and Culture, Pine Bluff Arsenal]</ref>
The Pine Bluff Arsenal was established on November 2, 1941, for the manufacture of incendiary grenades and bombs. 5,000 acres, purchased from local physician James W. John, Sr, served as the foundation for the site. It was originally named the Chemical Warfare Arsenal but was renamed four months later.<ref name=PBCA>[http://www.globalsecurity.org/wmd/facility/pine_bluff.htm Pine Bluff Chemical Activity (PBCA)]</ref> The mission expanded to include production and storage of pyrotechnic, riot control, and chemical-filled munitions. At the height of [[World War II]], the plant expanded from making magnesium and thermite incendiary munitions to a chemical warfare manufacturing facility as well, producing lethal gases and chemical compounds installed in artillery shells and specifically designed bombs.<ref name=Encyclo>[http://www.encyclopediaofarkansas.net/encyclopedia/entry-detail.aspx?entryID=2927 Encyclopedia of Arkansas History and Culture, Pine Bluff Arsenal]</ref>
 
===Cold War and late 20th century===
In an incident after World War II, several captured German rockets containing [[mustard agents]] were accidentally launched into the surrounding countryside.{{Citation needed|date=November 2008}}
In an incident after World War II, several captured German rockets containing [[mustard agents]] were accidentally launched into the surrounding countryside.{{Citation needed|date=November 2008}} [[United States biological weapons program|Biological weapons]] operations were conducted at the arsenal from 1953 to 1969;<ref name=PBCA /> but operations ceased when [[President of the United States|President]] [[Richard Nixon|Nixon]] banned [[biological weapons]].<ref name=Encyclo /> Between 1954 and 1967, at least seven different biological agents were produced at the facility. All biological agents were destroyed between 1971 and 1973.<ref>{{Cite book |author1=Larsen, Jeff |author2=Wirtz, James J. |author3=Croddy, Eric | title=Weapons of Mass Destruction: An Encyclopedia of Worldwide Policy, Technology, and History (2 volume set) |year=2005 | publisher=[[ABC-CLIO]] | isbn= 978-1-85109-490-5 }}</ref>
 
===21st century===
[[United States biological weapons program|Biological weapons]] operations were conducted at PBA from 1953 to 1969;<ref name=PBCA /> but operations ceased when [[President]] [[Richard Nixon|Nixon]] banned [[biological weapons]] after public outcry over [[Agent Orange]].<ref name=Encyclo /> Between 1954 and 1967, at least seven different biological agents were produced at the facility. All biological agents were destroyed between 1971 and 1973.<ref>{{Cite book |author1=Larsen, Jeff |author2=Wirtz, James J. |author3=Croddy, Eric | title=Weapons of Mass Destruction: An Encyclopedia of Worldwide Policy, Technology, and History (2 volume set) | date= | publisher=[[ABC-CLIO]] | location= | isbn= 978-1-85109-490-5 | pages=}}</ref>
[[File:Commissioner Edwards (FDA 182) (8211345311).jpg|thumb|left|U.S. Food and Drug Administration Commissioner [[Charles C. Edwards]], standing right, formally receives the transfer of biological facilities in 1971. The [[National Center for Toxicological Research]] (NCTR) was established at [[Jefferson, Jefferson County, Arkansas|Jefferson]], [[Arkansas]] the following year.]]
The Pine Bluff Arsenal chemical weapons stockpile consisted of declared quantities of rockets, land mines, and ton containers. These obsolete weapons were safely stored in high-security structures and carefully monitored until the [[U.S. Army Chemical Materials Agency]] completed their safe elimination in November 2010. The arsenal also safely stored other items classified as non-stockpile chemical materiel, which is not part of the nation's chemical weapons stockpile. The U.S. Army Chemical Material Agency completed a number of treaty-mandated chemical warfare disposal operations at the arsenal, described below.
 
Pine Bluff Ton Container Decontamination Facility (PBTCDF): The PBTCDF began operations in September 2003, with the mission of decontaminating and recycling more than {{convert|4300|ST|MT|abbr=on}} containers (TCs) stored at the arsenal. The {{convert|1600|lb|kg|abbr=on}} steel containers once held hazardous materials and required decontamination for residual chemical agent hazard. Operators heated the TCs to {{convert|1000|F|C|abbr=on}} for 60 minutes, well in excess of the standard required by the Army to achieve chemical agent decontamination. This process significantly reduced liquid waste. Once decontaminated, TCs were loaded onto trailers for transport to a treatment, storage and disposal facility. There, they were cut in half, any remaining residue was removed, and the steel was recycled. PBTCDF successfully completed operations in July 2011; one result of this process was the recycling of more than {{convert|6500000|lb|ST MT|abbr=on}} of steel.
The PBA chemical weapons stockpile consisted of declared quantities of rockets, land mines and ton containers. These obsolete weapons were safely stored in high-security structures and carefully monitored until the [[U.S. Army Chemical Materials Agency]] completed their safe elimination in November 2010.
 
Pine Bluff Explosive Destruction System (PBEDS): PBEDS began operations in June 2006 to destroy more than 1,200 recovered chemical warfare munitions at the arsenal, the largest inventory of recovered chemical warfare materiel in the nation. The system involved three Explosive Destruction System (EDS) units, each set up in a vapor containment structure. The EDS uses cutting charges to explosively access chemical munitions, eliminating their explosive capacity before the chemical agent is neutralized. The PBEDS inventory included 4.2-inch mortars as well as German Traktor rockets, which were captured during World War II. PBEDS operators destroyed the last munition in April 2010, marking the destruction of all non-stockpile materiel declared when the United States entered into the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC).
PBA also safely stored other items classified as non-stockpile chemical materiel, which is not part of the nation’s chemical weapons stockpile. The U.S. Army Chemical Material Agency completed a number of treaty-mandated chemical warfare disposal operations at PBA, described below.
 
[[File:Empty sarin containers at Pine Bluff Arsenal.jpg|thumb|While empty today, 1,600-pound steel containers stored at Pine Bluff Arsenal once held hazardous materials and required decontamination. Operators decontaminated the last 4,307 ton containers in July 2011.]]
Pine Bluff Ton Container Decontamination Facility (PBTCDF): The PBTCDF began operations in September 2003, with the mission of decontaminating and recycling more than 4,300 empty ton containers (TCs) stored at PBA. The 1,600-pound steel containers once held hazardous materials and required decontamination for residual chemical agent hazard. Operators heated the TCs to 1,000 degrees F for 60 minutes, well in excess of the standard required by the Army to achieve chemical agent decontamination. This process significantly reduced liquid waste. Once decontaminated, TCs were loaded onto trailers for transport to a treatment, storage and disposal facility. There, they were cut in half, any remaining residue was removed, and the steel was recycled. PBTCDF successfully completed operations in July 2011; one result of this process was the recycling of more than 6,500,000 pounds of steel.
Pine Bluff Former Production Facilities: The arsenal once housed two chemical warfare production facilities, and NSCMP was charged with destroying them to comply with the CWC. Destroyed in 1999, the BZ Fill Facility filled munitions with the agent BZ, a hallucinogen. In 2003, NSCMP began demolition of the former Pine Bluff Integrated Binary Production Facilities (PB IBPF), designed to produce binary chemicals and fill binary chemical weapons. These weapons were designed to mix two non-lethal chemicals to form a chemical agent in flight to a target. The DF Production/M20 Canister Fill and Close Facility was the only facility operated. From 1988 to 1990 it produced the binary precursor [[methylphosphonic difluoride]] (DF), inserting the chemical into coffee can-sized M20 canisters for use in the [[M687]] 155 mm Binary Artillery Projectile. The BLU-80/B [[Bigeye Bomb]] Fill Facility, QL Production Facility and DC Production Facility never operated, and all were demolished. The final remaining PB IBPF building, intended to fill binary munitions for the Multiple Launch Rocket System, but never used for that purpose, was reutilized as the Pine Bluff Binary Destruction Facility (PB BDF), to neutralize the binary precursor chemicals DF and QL. After neutralization was completed in October 2006, demolition of the building commenced. Completed on Dec. 28, 2006, it marked the end of the PB IBPF demolition and the last former chemical warfare production facility destroyed in the United States. This accomplishment was significant since it enabled NSCMP to surpass the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) treaty milestone of demolition of all the nation's former production facilities four months ahead of schedule. Approximately 2,800 tons of metal were recycled from the IBPF.
 
Assessment: Contents of recovered items at the arsenal were identified using the Pine Bluff Munitions Assessment System (PBMAS). PBMAS determined the contents and explosive condition of items before processing to enhance safe handling, treatment and disposal. PBMAS began analyzing the items in July 2005, using an X-ray system known as Digital Radiography and Computed Tomography, along with an assessment system known as Portable Isotopic Neutron Spectroscopy. Prior to PBMAS, NSCMP also assessed 300 drums that contained recovered chemical warfare materiel, known as the XP300 mission.
Pine Bluff Explosive Destruction System (PBEDS): PBEDS began operations in June 2006 to destroy more than 1,200 recovered chemical warfare munitions at PBA – the largest inventory of recovered chemical warfare materiel in the nation. The system involved three Explosive Destruction System (EDS) units, each set up in a vapor containment structure. The EDS uses cutting charges to explosively access chemical munitions, eliminating their explosive capacity before the chemical agent is neutralized. The PBEDS inventory included 4.2-inch mortars as well as German Traktor rockets, which were captured during World War II. PBEDS operators destroyed the last munition in April 2010, marking the destruction of all non-stockpile materiel declared when the United States entered into the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC).
 
Chemical Agent Identification Set (CAIS) Destruction: Another successful NSCMP mission at the arsenal included the Rapid Response System (RRS), a transportable treatment technology, which processed more than 5,300 CAIS items once stored at the arsenal. The RRS began operations in August 2005, and completed processing in November 2006.
Pine Bluff Former Production Facilities: PBA once housed two chemical warfare production facilities, and NSCMP was charged with destroying them to comply with the CWC. Destroyed in 1999, the BZ Fill Facility filled munitions with the agent BZ, a hallucinogen. In 2003, NSCMP began demolition of the former Pine Bluff Integrated Binary Production Facilities (PB IBPF), designed to produce binary chemicals and fill binary chemical weapons. These weapons were designed to mix two non-lethal chemicals to form a chemical agent in flight to a target. The DF Production/M20 Canister Fill and Close Facility was the only facility operated. From 1988 to 1990 it produced the binary precursor [[methylphosphonic difluoride]] (DF), inserting the chemical into coffee can-sized M20 canisters for use in the [[M687]] 155 mm Binary Artillery Projectile. The BLU-80/B [[Bigeye Bomb]] Fill Facility, QL Production Facility and DC Production Facility never operated, and all were demolished. The final remaining PB IBPF building, intended to fill binary munitions for the Multiple Launch Rocket System, but never used for that purpose, was reutilized as the Pine Bluff Binary Destruction Facility (PB BDF), to neutralize the binary precursor chemicals DF and QL. After neutralization was completed in October 2006, demolition of the building commenced. Completed on Dec. 28, 2006, it marked the end of the PB IBPF demolition and the last former chemical warfare production facility destroyed in the United States. This accomplishment was significant since it enabled NSCMP to surpass the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) treaty milestone of demolition of all the nation’s former production facilities four months ahead of schedule. Approximately 2,800 tons of metal were recycled from the IBPF.
For decades the arsenal stored chemical agent rockets (GB55's). During the 1980s, these were defueled and the warheads were destroyed. [[Mustard gas|Mustard agent]], [[VX (nerve agent)|VX]], [[Nerve agent#G-series|G]] were stored in large bunkers on the premises.<ref>Pine Bluff Chemical Activity and Pine Bluff Chemical Agent Disposal Facility, What is Stockpile/Non-Stockpile, U.S. Army Chemical Materials Agency Fact Sheet</ref>
 
The [[Associated Press]] reported a leak in a container of [[white phosphorus]] was suspected to have ignited the fire that destroyed a warehouse at the Pine Bluff Arsenal on 6 June 2005. White smoke from the fire was seen as far away as {{convert|6|mi|km|abbr=on}}. When the fire was extinguished, approximately 19 hours later, officials reported the fire destroyed more than 7,500 canisters of white phosphorus. In the same article, AP reported the [[Pine Bluff Chemical Activity]] was home to 12 percent of the nation's [[chemical weapons]] stockpile."<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.jmc.army.mil/FactSheets/FactSheets%202008/Pine%20Bluff%20Arsenal.pdf |title=Pine Bluff Arsenal Fact Sheet |access-date=2008-11-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090309172057/http://www.jmc.army.mil/FactSheets/FactSheets%202008/Pine%20Bluff%20Arsenal.pdf |archive-date=2009-03-09 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>[http://cms.firehouse.com/web/online/News/Leak-is-Suspected-Cause-in-Last-Weeks-Arsenal-Fire-in-Arkansas/46$42563 Leak Suspected Cause in Arkansas Arsenal Fire]{{Dead link|date=May 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> This stockpile was safely destroyed March 2005 - November 2010.<ref>U.S. Army Completes Chemical Stockpile Destruction at Pine Bluff Chemical Agent Disposal Facility, U.S. Army Chemical Materials Agency, News release, Nov. 15, 2010</ref>
Assessment: Contents of recovered items at PBA were identified using the Pine Bluff Munitions Assessment System (PBMAS). PBMAS determined the contents and explosive condition of items before processing to enhance safe handling, treatment and disposal. PBMAS began analyzing the items in July 2005, using an X-ray system known as Digital Radiography and Computed Tomography, along with an assessment system known as Portable Isotopic Neutron Spectroscopy. Prior to PBMAS, NSCMP also assessed 300 drums that contained recovered chemical warfare materiel, known as the XP300 mission.
 
Chemical Agent Identification Set (CAIS) Destruction: Another successful NSCMP mission at PBA included the Rapid Response System (RRS), a transportable treatment technology, which processed more than 5,300 CAIS items once stored at PBA. The RRS began operations in August 2005, and completed processing in November 2006.
For decades the arsenal stored chemical agent rockets (GB55's). During the 1980s, these were defueled and the warheads were destroyed. Mustard agent, VX, G and Sarin were stored in large bunkers on the premises.<ref>Pine Bluff Chemical Activity and Pine Bluff Chemical Agent Disposal Facility, What is Stockpile/Non-Stockpile, U.S. Army Chemical Materials Agency Fact Sheet</ref>
 
The [[Associated Press]] reported a leak in a container of [[white phosphorus]] was suspected to have ignited the fire that destroyed a warehouse at the Pine Bluff Arsenal on June 6, 2005. White smoke from the fire was seen as far away as six miles. When the fire was extinguished, approximately 19 hours later, officials reported the fire destroyed more than 7,500 canisters of white phosphorus. In the same article AP reported the [[Pine Bluff Chemical Activity]] was home to 12 percent of the nation's [[chemical weapons]] stockpile."<ref>[http://www.jmc.army.mil/FactSheets/FactSheets%202008/Pine%20Bluff%20Arsenal.pdf Pine Bluff Arsenal Fact Sheet]</ref><ref>[http://cms.firehouse.com/web/online/News/Leak-is-Suspected-Cause-in-Last-Weeks-Arsenal-Fire-in-Arkansas/46$42563 Leak Suspected Cause in Arkansas Arsenal Fire]</ref> This stockpile was safely destroyed March 2005 - November 2010.<ref>U.S. Army Completes Chemical Stockpile Destruction at Pine Bluff Chemical Agent Disposal Facility, U.S. Army Chemical Materials Agency, News release, Nov. 15, 2010</ref>
 
==Facilities==
PBAPine isBluff housedArsenal onhas a total area of {{convert|13493|acre|km2 sqmi|abbr=on|sigfig=2}} with 665 buildings, 271 igloos and storage capacity of {{convert|2090563|sqft|m2|abbr=on|sigfig=2}}. Additionally, PBAPine Bluff Arsenal has more than {{convert|5000|acre|km2 sqmi|abbr=on|sigfig=2}} of land with the potential to be developed. Most residents are civilians working for the Department of Defense.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://installations.militaryonesource.mil/in-depth-overview/pine-bluff-arsenal|title=Pine Bluff Arsenal In-depth Overview|publisher=[[militaryonesource.mil]]|accessdate=2021-02-26}}</ref>
 
==Capabilities==
Capabilities of the center include: chemical defense and test equipment; individual and collective chemical protection and decontamination systems; chemical material surveillance program; machining, fabrication and assembly; specialty ammunition production; [[Non-lethal weapon|less than lethal ammunition]] production; and quality assurance and joint logistics services.
 
==References==
{{reflistReflist|30em}}
 
==ExternalFurther linksreading==
* [https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/5823805 Disposal of Chemical Agents and Munitions Stored at Pine Bluff Arsenal, Pine Bluff, Arkansas, Final Phase I Environmental Report] - [[Oak Ridge National Laboratory]]
 
==Notes==
{{USGovernment|sourceURL=[http://www.jmc.army.mil Joint Munitions Command website]}}<br/>
{{USGovernment|sourceURLurl=[http://www.pbajmc.army.mil/|title=Joint PineMunitions Bluff ArsenalCommand website]|agency=United States Army}}<br/>
{{USGovernment|url=http://www.pba.army.mil/|title=Pine Bluff Arsenal website|agency=United States Army}}
 
==External links==
{{coord|34|19|57|N|92|05|12|W|display=title}}
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* [https://installations.militaryonesource.mil/in-depth-overview/pine-bluff-arsenal Pine Bluff Arsenal] at [[Military OneSource]]
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[[Category:Pine Bluff Arsenal| ]]<!--please leave the empty space as standard-->
[[Category:United States Army arsenals]]
[[Category:Buildings1941 and structuresestablishments in Pine Bluff, Arkansas]]
[[Category:United States Army arsenals during World War II]]
[[Category:Chemical weapons destruction facilities]]
[[Category:Cold War military installations of the United States]]
[[Category:Historic American Engineering Record in Arkansas]]
[[Category:Military history of Arkansas]]
[[Category:Military installations established in 1941]]
[[Category:Military installations in Arkansas]]
[[Category:Pine Bluff metropolitan area]]
[[Category:Populated places in Jefferson County, Arkansas]]
[[Category:United States Army arsenals during World War II]]
[[Category:United States Army Materiel Command]]
[[Category:United States Army posts]]
[[Category:United States biological weapons program]]
[[Category:World War II sites in the United States]]
[[Category:Biological warfare facilities]]
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