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Pantexans from all over the plant joined together to train on emergency response to rural mass casualties.

Disaster can strike as quickly and unexpectedly as a rattlesnake bite while walking through weeds. Once it happens, the needs from every angle – from the initial emergency response to assisting the families of victims – are rapid-fire, and can exhaust the limited resources of small communities. The isolation in the Texas Panhandle exacerbates that problem.

“Amarillo is an island in the Texas Panhandle. If we need help, it could be 48-72 hours before we get it,” said instructor Elton B.

To help Panhandle-area organizations better prepare for what could – and does – happen, Amarillo College in February conducted a Mass Fatalities Planning and Response for Rural Communities training. This class was made possible by a grant that Pantex and Amarillo College secured through the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences/Department of Energy Nuclear Workers Training Program. This unique learning opportunity expanded because Pantex decided to open up the training to local first responders and connected entities in the Panhandle and South Plains.

Co-trainer, Dana H., defined a mass casualty as anything “more than a rural community has the resources to handle.” This, they said, can be the result of natural disaster, inclement weather, an active shooter, large crashes, a gas leak, and more.

The course was tailored to the people in the Texas Panhandle due to its unique needs and covered a variety of topics that could be needed after a mass casualty event that could lead to fatalities in a rural area. This included how to set up a temporary morgue, human remains recovery and storage, family assistance, data collection, and how to get federal resources to your rural community.

Thanks to the wide variety of attendees, topics were discussed from many different perspectives., Firefighters, law enforcement officers, dispatchers, a meteorologist, individuals from public health and emergency management, morgue technicians, and even a Justice of the Peace all provided input based on their respective experiences. Attendees from all over the region, including Pantex, Amarillo, Brownfield, Lefors, Borger, Hereford, Lazbuddie, Panhandle, and Wheeler, participated in the event.

Though this class material was very heavy in nature, many attendees complimented the instructors for keeping the training engaging.

Elton, whose experience comes from the Army Intelligence field, Amarillo Fire Department, and his years teaching environmental health and fire protection technology at Amarillo College, and Dana, who is recently retired from Amarillo Fire Department after 32 years, focused on participants knowing their resources and pushed networking throughout the day.

Dana noted several times that “it is key to break things down into something you can manage,” and on days when the worst happens “it is incredibly important that we have that cooperation” between entities working incidents like this.

“The ability to see how the whole Panhandle can work together to help each other out and the networking that is available here is essential for such a rural area,” said Pantexan Sandra L. “This is all helpful in regards to preparing for mass casualties.”

Jeff W., the director of Safety & Environmental Technology for Amarillo College, worked with Terrel C. to secure a grant from National Partnership for Environmental Training that provided this training for Pantex employees.

“Attendees now have those tools in their toolkit so that they can reach out and effectively deal with a mass fatalities incident,” said Terrel. “This class was effective because we had so many people from different backgrounds and we had a sharing of information for a dynamic group discussion. At Pantex we are so fortunate to have our Amarillo College partners. We have received almost $3 million in grants since we started working together to get more training for Pantex employees, which also at times benefits area groups that might not have the funds for it.”

Earliest photo of cows grazing on the Texas Technological College Research Farm on Pantex site.

A partnership since 1948 featuring Red Raider land in Pantexan country is still strong today.

After the end of World War II, the plant was closed and vacated. Texas Technological College, known as Texas Tech University today, made a bid to the federal government in 1946 to use some of the land at Pantex for agricultural projects. United States Senator for Texas Lyndon B. Johnson, advocated for Texas Tech to receive a fair deal from the government. In 1948, Tech was deeded an initial 8,000 acres of south Pantex land to begin agricultural and education operations. The remaining 8,000 acres was deeded in 1949, bringing the total of Red Raider territory to 16,000 acres.

“Agriculture is the bread and butter of this region, so it made sense to have an agriculture research center. At the time, current Texas Senator Lyndon B. Johnson wanted Tech to have a fair deal from the government so he advocated for the school,” said Katie P., Pantex historian.

In 1951, the land was repossessed by the federal government through a recapture clause for national security. The service agreement between the college and the government stipulated the land had to be used for agricultural research and education for 20 years. After that, money could be made off the land. The agreement was a success for years and modernization efforts became a priority in the 1990s.

“Ranching and farming technology was from the ‘50s when I came on in 1994, so the Department of Energy asked me to come up with some plant conservation-management plans,” said Monty S., Pantex agronomist.

Modernization happened with the one-way plows being replaced, no-till practices adopted, water-conservation efforts emphasized, field bind weeds cleaned up, and grazing rotations implemented. It is important for a research farm to be in premiere condition.

“Land management at the site is a reflection to our neighbors. By having cultivated and range land mix, it is a huge protection against wildfires and protects our plant mission,” Monty said.

The research farm is run by a Texas Tech-employed farm manager. Jason G. has served in that capacity since 2014. His role is to manage and operate the farm for Texas Tech University while working with the management at Pantex.

“This relationship has been in place since World War II. People come and go, contractors come and go, but the relationship with Tech and Pantex is still there,” said Jason, Texas Tech University assistant director of farm operations.

There are benefits to both parties in the relationship.

“It is not only a local partnership with a prestigious university but it has been such a lucrative partnership,” said Katie. “It is important for agriculture research to continue into the future.”

The future looks bright for Red Raiders at Pantex—both in farming and in employment opportunities.

“It is not only the farm; it is the relationship with all Pantex departments,” said Green. “I can go to Lubbock to Tech’s campus and you run across someone that knows someone at Pantex. I would like to see that relationship continue to grow.”

The most recent extension of the partnership is in an effort to encourage academic innovation and enhance the hiring pipeline between Texas Tech students and Pantex. The Pantex Innovation Challenge, which happened last fall, provided students with the opportunity to work directly with Pantexans to solve real-world problems.

“Partnering with Texas Tech is a beneficial partnership for both parties, as evidenced by our long and rich history of working together,” said Colby Yeary, Pantex site manager. “Pantex benefits the land management and interaction with students who could become future Pantexans while Texas Tech students learn from hands-on experiences.”

Entrance sign from 1962 for the Texas Technological College Research Farm.

In February 2019, Consolidated Nuclear Security, LLC (CNS) self-reported to the Government that it believed certain employees at the Pantex Plant had improperly claimed and been paid for hours they did not work.

After extensive investigations by both CNS and the federal government, CNS has agreed to repay the government $18.4 million for its employees’ overcharging and has fired those employees who engaged in this egregious misconduct.

CNS initially discovered suspicious activity as it implemented process efficiencies and improved payroll systems. CNS promptly disclosed the issue to the Government, and then CNS fully cooperated with the Government’s investigation through numerous actions, including:

• Providing up-to-date information to the government regarding the nature of the improperly charged hours, the personnel involved in the mischarging, and the potential financial impact to the NNSA;
• Identifying individuals with potential awareness of relevant information or conduct and facilitating interviews of those individuals;
• Preserving relevant documents and electronic information and facilitating their review by Government investigators;
• Undertaking extensive measures to guard against the possible reoccurrence of similar misconduct.

CNS’s cooperation with the investigation and its remedial actions—which included terminating employees—were positively recognized by the Department of Justice and taken into consideration as part of the settlement.

CNS remains dedicated to its mission of ensuring the effectiveness and reliability of the U.S. nuclear stockpile in support of the Nation’s nuclear deterrent—and to delivering its mission to the highest standards of excellence, ethics, and integrity.

Consolidated Nuclear Security, LLC operates the Pantex Plant, located in Amarillo, Texas, and the Y-12 National Security Complex, located in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, for the U.S. National Nuclear Security Administration. Bechtel National, Inc. is the lead member of CNS; minority members include Leidos, Inc.; ATK Launch Systems, LLC; and SOC LLC. Pantex and Y-12 are key facilities in the U.S. Nuclear Security Enterprise, and CNS performs its work with a focus on performance excellence and the imperatives of safety, security, zero defects, and delivery as promised.

For more information on each site, visit www.pantex.energy.gov or www.y12.doe.gov. Follow Pantex on Facebook, X or LinkedIn. Follow Y-12 on Facebook, X, and LinkedIn.

CONTACT
Todd Jacobson
Communications
Office (865) 574.9077
Cell (865) 320.2818

Todd.Jacobson@y12nsc.doe.gov

Sites recognized for sustainable purchasing

The Pantex Plant received a GreenBuy Gold Award for sustainable purchasing. Accepting the award, pictured left to right, are Brad Russell, Consolidated Nuclear Security’s Sustainability and Stewardship program manager; Alicia Barley, Pantex Environmental Compliance manager; Cate Berard, program manager of the Electronics Stewardship and Data Centers for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Sustainable Environmental Stewardship; and Shab Fardanesh, senior advisor and coordinator of the Sustainable Acquisition Program for the DOE Office of Sustainable Environmental Stewardship.

Amarillo, Texas- The Pantex Plant in Amarillo and the Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, turned green into gold with GreenBuy Gold Awards from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) for sustainable purchasing in Fiscal Year 2023. The awards recognize excellence in “green purchasing” that extends beyond minimum compliance.

Sites have history of award-winning efforts

This was the fourth year Pantex has been honored with GreenBuy awards for sustainable purchasing and the first time the plant has achieved the gold level. Pantex purchased 10 priority products in 5 categories to achieve this honor.

Y-12 has been honored with GreenBuy awards for five years. This year, the site was recognized for purchasing nine priority products in five categories. The site was also honored with a GreenBuy Prime Award for achieving the gold level for three consecutive years.

Shab Fardanesh, senior advisor and Sustainable Acquisition Program coordinator for the DOE Office of Sustainable Environmental Stewardship noted, “Participation in this program leverages the federal government’s purchasing dollars to achieve mission goals while improving the marketplace for greener products and reducing the environmental impact of the department’s operations.”

Achieving the mission while reducing environmental impact

“Both sites achieved these awards by demonstrating excellence in sustainable acquisition for recycling electronics and purchasing paper products, electronic equipment, Y-12’s LED emergency lighting on the two new fire trucks, etc., as priority products,” said Jan Jackson, Consolidated Nuclear Security (CNS) Sustainability and Stewardship manager.

Advantages of going green

Brad Russell, CNS Sustainable Acquisition program manager, also pointed out an employee-education achievement that the awards highlighted. “These awards recognize that the CNS Sustainable Acquisition Program trained 297 employees at Pantex and Y-12 involved in specifying and procuring materials, products, and services during Fiscal Year 2023,” he said.

“Reducing the environmental impact of the sites’ mission activities is always a goal. Having those efforts validated by DOE helps us communicate the important impact of green purchasing.”

Learn more about the GreenBuy Award Program and its recognition of DOE sites for their excellence in “green purchasing.”

The Y-12 National Security Complex has been honored with GreenBuy awards for five years. This year, the site was recognized at the gold level for purchasing nine priority products in five categories. The site was also honored with a GreenBuy Prime Award for achieving the gold level for three consecutive years.

Consolidated Nuclear Security, LLC operates the Pantex Plant, located in Amarillo, Texas, and the Y-12 National Security Complex, located in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, for the U.S. National Nuclear Security Administration. Bechtel National, Inc. is the lead member of CNS; minority members include Leidos, Inc.; ATK Launch Systems, LLC; and SOC LLC. Pantex and Y-12 are key facilities in the U.S. Nuclear Security Enterprise, and CNS performs its work with a focus on performance excellence and the imperatives of safety, security, zero defects, and delivery as promised.

For more information on each site, visit www.pantex.energy.gov or www.y12.doe.gov. Follow Pantex on Facebook, X or LinkedIn. Follow Y-12 on Facebook, X, and LinkedIn.

CONTACT
Steve Myers
Communications
Office (806) 573.0490
Cell (806) 236.2826

Stephen.Myers@pantex.doe.gov

CNS interns and co-op students are pictured at a 2023 seminar featuring Jahleel Hudson, Director of NNSA’s Office of Technology and Partnerships.

Production Research, Development, and Integration (PRD&I) cultivates student talent pipelines that enhance skills essential for sustaining, stewarding, and modernizing Pantex and Y-12’s production capabilities.

Essential skills include multiphysics modeling, production process modeling, advanced manufacturing, materials science and development, electrical engineering, nuclear criticality safety, and emergency response.

“Y-12 relies on its Development organization for a ready cadre of subject matter experts that can be called upon to solve any plant problem. The Critical Skills Program brings in promising replacements to shore up our talent pipeline in not only our traditional areas of expertise, but also in new areas that are emerging such as automation and robotics, modeling, and advanced manufacturing,” said Randy Dziendziel, senior director of Development.

New talent pipelines for CNS include R&D fellowships, co-op students, and researchers-in-residence — a program that allows employees to conduct research at universities for extended periods of time. These initiatives provide a range of opportunities for students to work with Pantex and Y-12 technical staff on projects that develop expertise important for stewarding the sites’ production capabilities.

An example of multiple programs combining is how one Texas Tech student went from an undergraduate chemical engineering major to developing technical collaboration that creates new capability for the plants.

In 2022, Serée S. completed a Minority Serving Institution Partnerships Program–funded internship with Pantex Development. In 2023, she came to Y-12 to intern in Development. She has since been hired as a full-time Y-12 employee serving as a Researcher-in-Residence at Texas Tech University (TTU) for Y-12. She is working on her Ph.D. in computational chemical engineering and expects to graduate in 2026.

Serée dedicates 60% of her time to research and development efforts, focused around solving problems and supporting projects at Y-12. “I am passionate about bringing chemical engineering process modeling to CNS, Y-12, Pantex, and the NNSA as a whole because I believe it will be one of the biggest contributors in integrating the advantages of modern technological advances in engineering with our mission,” she said.

Her remaining energy is focused on serving as a liaison between TTU and CNS, a role she is equally as passionate about. This position serves to further enhance the talent and technology/workforce capability transfer pipeline between schools and industry and highlight viable and enticing career paths for students.

Rapid advancements in technology require an increase in the energy and workforce dedicated to those enhancements, making the need for this student and capability pipeline urgent. Without those resources, our current and future production capabilities needed to deliver the mission are inhibited.

To address this need, the Critical Skills program helps universities understand what skills are needed. This allows schools to prepare students who are highly specialized for the work at Pantex and Y-12. Through the program, CNS has developed relationships with 10 university departments across three universities and has funded 31 students on fellowships.

The Plant Directed Research and Development (PDRD) program builds off these relationships in an effort to recruit and retain people with the necessary skills to meet current and future production mission needs for Pantex and Y-12.

Accordingly, Y-12 PDRD Program Area Lead Mike Ellis and Pantex PDRD Program Manager Ed Graef developed a program that provided funding to directly hire 27 positions and build a talent pipeline. “The development of Pantex and Y-12’s technical bench strength is vitally important to supporting our nation’s nuclear deterrent mission,” said Ellis. “I am proud to enable this effort and grow our technical expertise for current and future mission space.”

Teams recognized for contributions to national security

Pantex Site Manager Colby Yeary welcomed the honorees at the Defense Programs Awards of Excellence ceremony held at Pantex.

Amarillo, Texas— The National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) recognized eight teams at the Pantex Plant and the Y 12 National Security Complex with Defense Programs Awards of Excellence. The winning teams contributed to national security by meeting or exceeding the mission criteria established for the sites. More than 200 Consolidated Nuclear Security (CNS) employees were honored for their work on the team projects.

The Defense Programs Awards of Excellence were established in 1982 to recognize significant individual and team accomplishments in support of the NNSA nuclear weapons program. An executive review panel meets annually to select the winners.

At a ceremony to recognize the winners in Amarillo, Pantex Site Manager Colby Yeary said, “Because of the mission that we have been assigned to fulfill at Pantex, excellence is not an expectation, but a requirement. The recipients of these Defense Programs Awards are a prime example of meeting that requirement.”

At a similar ceremony, Y-12 Site Manager Gene Sievers said, “Representatives from Defense Programs select Awards of Excellence winners from a large number of applications from across the Nuclear Security Enterprise. These folks know the positive impacts of your work, and the awards you’re receiving today are a clear recognition that you are making a difference for our nation.”

Awards recognize significant contributions to national security

CNS President and CEO Rich Tighe said, “If we ever needed a reminder that the nuclear deterrent is the foundation of our nation’s defense, it was reiterated in October with the report of the Strategic Posture Commission showing just how significant this work is.”

Consolidated Nuclear Security President and CEO Rich Tighe addressed employees who were honored with Defense Programs Awards of Excellence at the Y-12 National Security Complex.

Teresa Robbins, NNSAY-12 Field Office manager, praised the honorees saying, “You’re committed to the mission. You’re committed to making things work, and you’re committed to doing it in an excellent fashion.”

“One of the values we share here is the value of continuous improvement and excellence. These awards recognize that value. I am thankful that you are here every day getting the work done to protect our nation,” Robbins added.

When presenting the awards, John Evans, NNSA Principal Assistant Deputy Administrator for Stockpile Management, said, “We honor these teams, who through tireless work and sacrifices, have continued the standard of excellence.”

New capability, more efficient training at Pantex

At Pantex, the three honored projects included standing up a new capability, tackling material demand issues, and ensuring production technicians are appropriately trained and ready to contribute more quickly. Specific information about the projects follows:

• Pantex was able to stand up scaled production of a new explosive material for the first time since 2006 with the help of the High Explosives Pilot-Scale Manufacturing team. The group helped support milestones with manufacturing readiness of explosive material reproduction in-house at Pantex, producing quality products that are vital to the mission in a timely manner.
• The Weapon Material Program team implemented new tools and process improvement to face material demands. The site and operations have already greatly benefited from the team’s efforts.
• The Organizational Development and Training Support of Enhanced Training/Onboarding team created a more effective and efficient training plan for production technicians. By enriching lesson plans and reducing training times, the team’s efforts resulted in production technicians being able to start work on mission deliverables more quickly.

Ensuring mission delivery at Y-12

The five Y-12 projects that received awards incorporated significant productivity improvements and measures, which will ensure the site continues to deliver for national security for decades to come. Brief summaries of the projects follow:

• The Building 9201-01 Can Shop Improvements team facilitated the successful completion of several important deliverables, including fabrication of the first complete set of can components for the W87-1 Life Extension Program.
• Through the Advancement of Direct Cast Technology Maturation team, Y-12 will be able to meet mission requirements in the 2030s. In collaboration with Los Alamos National Laboratory, Y-12 completed the technology demonstration requirements and met all Fiscal Year 2022 program milestones.
• In anticipation of a shortage of hardware, the Canned Subassembly Simulator Development Project was started. The team completed the project from assignment to assembly in 10 months, which is a record for this type of product.
• Ensuring Y-12 is prepared to meet the nation’s demands requires accurate forecasts and modeling. The Strategic Process Modeling Accomplishments team helped lead the Nuclear Security Enterprise in material supply-demand and production capacity analysis.
• The Weapons Production Machining Productivity Improvement team moved a component from a five-axis machine tool to a more modern standardized milling platform. Using off-the-shelf tooling, new programming, and more modern machines produced what may be the greatest machining improvement in the last 30 years at Y-12. A process that used to require 4 different machines and 50 hours per part now uses 1 machine and requires 4 hours per part.

Carlos Alvarado, Pantex Field Office Deputy Manager, presented the Defense Programs Awards of Excellence to employees at the Pantex ceremony.

Consolidated Nuclear Security, LLC operates the Pantex Plant, located in Amarillo, Texas, and the Y-12 National Security Complex, located in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, for the U.S. National Nuclear Security Administration. Bechtel National, Inc. is the lead member of CNS; minority members include Leidos, Inc.; ATK Launch Systems, LLC; and SOC LLC. Pantex and Y-12 are key facilities in the U.S. Nuclear Security Enterprise, and CNS performs its work with a focus on performance excellence and the imperatives of safety, security, zero defects, and delivery as promised.

For more information on each site, visit www.pantex.energy.gov or www.y12.doe.gov. Follow Pantex on Facebook, X or LinkedIn. Follow Y-12 on Facebook, X, and LinkedIn.

CONTACT
Steve Myers
Communications
Office (806) 573.0490
Cell (806) 236.2826

Stephen.Myers@pantex.doe.gov

Take 5 minutes and learn about Pantex custodian Michael R. He’s only been here at Pantex for a few months, providing a fresh perspective of beginning a new career here with pride in the job. Whether it’s working directly on a weapon or helping co-workers keep their area clean, every job done successfully moves us one step further down the road to Mission Success. And as we discover with many fellow employees, Pantex may not have been on their occupational radar when they started out, but they’re extremely glad to be part of the team now.

“Working at Pantex was never on my radar when I was younger,” according to Michael. “In fact, I did not know about Pantex until I moved up here about 8 years ago. When I was younger, my goal was to become a math teacher. I was able to accomplish that goal but it only lasted for 3 years when I realized it wasn’t what I had envisioned.”

Michael went back into his original career of retail management, and like so many others was working his way up that corporate ladder when he was promoted and transferred to the Texas Panhandle.

“At that time, I was in management for a large retail company, but God had a different path set for me about 1 year ago, and well, the rest is history. I am a born-and- raised Texan and have always loved my country. I grew up in a time where you said the pledge of allegiance in school everyday. That instilled a pride for my country at an early age that has not wavered no matter how much times have changed. Knowing what we do out here at Pantex for our country gives me great pride in my work.

Being at Pantex only a few months allows him to offer a fresh perspective you only get when starting a new job, and he has some sound advice for anyone beginning a career here.

“For a new employee, have patience with the company. Things move a bit slower out here compared to other jobs. I would encourage anyone to remember where you came from before you were hired on out here, so you can reflect on how much a blessing it is to work here. “

Why are you mission success?
“My dad taught me to work hard, be honest, respect those around you, do your best if not more, and to work well with others. It wasn’t always easy, but having those expectations instilled in you at a young age has helped me become a part of mission success.”

What is the greatest strength you bring to your organization?
“I believe my greatest strength I bring is my work ethic. I believe what I do for Pantex will make it a better, cleaner, and more functional work place than before.”

As an employee, how do you want to be remembered?
“I am a people person and getting to know people on my job and seeing what their needs are allows me to take care of them. I know when they are taken cared of, that makes their day better which in turn allows them to be more productive for Pantex. All I want to be remembered for is that when I leave Pantex, it will look and function better than when I first arrived.”

What would your coworkers be most surprised to learn about you as you plan for retirement?
“I was a high school math teacher and coached UIL Math and Number Sense team. I enjoy reading, working in the garden and spending time with the grandchildren. Reading relaxes me, the garden allows me to take satisfaction in growing something, and I love my grandchildren. I think the one thing I am looking forward to when I retire is spending more time with my grandchildren. And, to travel to Europe and to experience the history there. Also, find a hobby. I have known several people who retire that get bored after awhile who didn’t have a hobby or two to make the transition a bit easier.”

Why is teamwork an important aspect when working at Pantex?
"We all have a job to do and accomplish here at Pantex. In reality, we cannot do it alone. Jobs can be stressful, burdensome, and sometimes we can get overwhelmed when accomplishing our task for the day, week, or longer. Relying on others to share the load, the burden, or even the stress allows us to concentrate more clearly, become less overworked and enjoy the sense of accomplishing something together. Having the knowledge that someone else is watching my back as my day or week progresses allows me to focus on the task at hand and relieves any stress related to the job.”

Pantex to host employee contribution drive April 4

AMARILLO, Texas– Bechtel-led Consolidated Nuclear Security, LLC, the management and operating contractor of the Pantex Plant in Amarillo, Texas, and the Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, has joined with its parent companies to raise money to support wildfire relief efforts in the Texas Panhandle.

A series of fundraising initiatives are underway.

The Bechtel Group Foundation, the charitable arm of CNS parent company Bechtel, has already donated $25,000 to Hutchinson County United Way (Texas) and will match up to $25,000 in additional funds donated by its employees around the world and at an upcoming Pantex fundraiser. Leidos, a CNS parent company, has also donated $10,000 to the United Way of Hutchinson County.

CNS will host a fundraiser at Pantex from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, April 4. Proceeds from the sales of t-shirts as well a portion of sales from Pantex’s cafeteria and more than a dozen food trucks at the event will go toward the wildfire relief efforts through contributions to the United Way of Hutchinson County and the Amarillo Area Foundation. CNS will match up to $10,000 raised during the Pantex event.

There was no damage to Pantex property and no Pantex employees were injured at the plant as the wildfires abated about 3 miles from the plant’s boundary. However, the Pantex Fire Department built firebreaks, prepared the plant for the fires, and responded to communities near the plant. Several Pantexans suffered property losses and minor injuries as a result of the fires.

“For those of us at CNS, the story hit close to home as we watched while the fires burned close to the Pantex Plant near Amarillo,” CNS President and CEO Rich Tighe said. “We are pleased to support the upcoming Pantex event to help raise funds for Panhandle residents affected by the wildfires.”

“There has been an outpouring of Panhandle pride and spirit through donations, volunteer efforts, and assistance coming in from all over the area and across the state,” CNS Pantex Site Manager Colby Yeary said. “We wanted to show our own support to our communities in need through our own fundraising efforts. Wildfires will always be a part of Texas Panhandle life, but it’s comforting to know that when disaster strikes, we rise united.”

B-roll and site interviews will be made available from the wildfire relief event. Please contact Steve Myers with any questions.

Consolidated Nuclear Security, LLC operates the Pantex Plant, located in Amarillo, Texas, and the Y-12 National Security Complex, located in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, for the U.S. National Nuclear Security Administration. Bechtel National, Inc. is the lead member of CNS; minority members include Leidos, Inc.; ATK Launch Systems, LLC; and SOC LLC. Pantex and Y-12 are key facilities in the U.S. Nuclear Security Enterprise, and CNS performs its work with a focus on performance excellence and the imperatives of safety, security, zero defects, and delivery as promised.

For more information on each site, visit www.pantex.energy.gov or www.y12.doe.gov. Follow Pantex on Facebook, X or LinkedIn. Follow Y-12 on Facebook, X, and LinkedIn.

Pantex Field Office begins operations on April 2

AMARILLO, Texas – The National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) has established a new field office to oversee operations at the Pantex Plant.

The NNSA Pantex Field Office (PFO) replaces the abbr title="National Nuclear Security Administration">NNSA Production Office which was previously responsible for oversight of operations at Pantex and the Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. The Y-12 Field Office has also been established to oversee Y-12 operations. Both new NNSA field offices began operations on Tuesday, April 2.

PFO’s mission is to ensure safe, secure and cost-effective operations at Pantex, which is operated by Consolidated Nuclear Security (CNS) for NNSA. Pantex is a key facility in the U.S. Nuclear Security Enterprise and is responsible for the final assembly, dismantlement and maintenance of nuclear weapons.

CNS will continue to manage and operate both Y-12 and Pantex for NNSA until a new contractor is named for the Pantex Plant. The CNS contract to run Pantex currently extends through September 30, 2024. CNS’s contract to run Y-12 currently extends through September 30, 2025, with two 1-year option periods.

Jason Armstrong will serve as the Manager of the Pantex Field Office. He previously served as the NPO Pantex Manager and as the Manager of the NNSA Savannah River Field Office.

Pantex firefighters respond to local wildfires under mutual aid agreement.

Wildfires are an unpredictable threat that can occur with little warning and leave massive damage behind. To combat wildfires and other emergencies, the U.S. Department of Energy and the Pantex Fire Department (PXFD) have established vital mutual aid agreements with neighboring communities. During emergencies, these agreements effectively multiply and strategically direct resources to the affected fire departments, enabling them to surpass their own response capabilities.

“PXFD is exceptionally fortunate to have a fully staffed, paid fire department capable of immediate deployment to assist our mutual aid partners at any hour, day or night—a luxury not afforded to the volunteers we support,” said PXFD Captain Joshua B. said. “These agreements not only enable our highly trained members to continually perfect their skills, but also facilitate their crucial support for the surrounding communities.”

The significance of these mutual aid agreements with Carson, Armstrong, Hutchinson, and Potter counties was evident in recent weeks amid the rise of wildfire activity. PXFD rapidly responded to a call for mutual aid to fight the Windy Deuce Fire—a significant fire north of Pantex—alongside the Smokehouse Creek Fire, which became the largest wildland fire in Texas history. This devastating fire consumed over a million acres, equivalent to nearly 2,000 square miles—an area surpassing the entirety of Delaware.

“Pantex employees live in each of these counties, adding personal significance to our emergency responses,” Captain B. said. “Numerous times, we’ve found ourselves extending aid to Pantexans’ family members, or even our own, either through medical assistance, or emergency response to car accidents or house fires.”

During the PXFD deployment to fight the Windy Deuce Fire, the firefighters found themselves patrolling one of the hardest-hit areas. Amid their duties, they even provided vital assistance to the parents of one of the Pantex fire captains; the parents faced evacuation and feared the loss of their home and livestock.

“The PXFD firefighters prevented the impinging fire from reaching their residence and contained the fire’s spread to the exterior of the home,” Captain B. said. “To this family and many others, PXFD and its members are a godsend.”

The “mutual” part of the agreement means both parties can receive aid. The Windy Deuce Fire got uncomfortably close to the Pantex site, but thanks to changes in weather conditions, the actions of the Pantex response team, and mutual aid partners from neighboring communities, the fire never reached the site boundary.

“We’re not just responders; the PXFD seeks to be an integral part of the communities surrounding Pantex,” said Captain B. “Whether it’s you, your family, or our neighbors in need, PXFD will respond when called upon.”