Team Infidel
Forum Spin Doctor
USA Today
September 6, 2007
Pg. 9
By Associated Press
WASHINGTON — A B-52 bomber was mistakenly armed with six nuclear warheads and flown for more than three hours across several states last week, prompting an Air Force investigation and the firing of one commander, Pentagon officials said Wednesday.
The incident was so serious that President Bush and Defense Secretary Robert Gates were quickly informed and Gates has asked for daily briefings on the Air Force investigation, Defense Department spokesman Geoff Morrell said.
"At no time was the public in danger," Morrell said.
Missouri Rep. Ike Skelton, chairman of the Armed Services Committee, called the mishandling of the weapons "deeply disturbing" and said the committee would press the military for details. Rep. Ed Markey, a senior member of the Homeland Security committee, said it was "inexcusable."
"Nothing like this has ever been reported before and we have been assured for decades that it was impossible," said Markey, D-Mass., co-chairman of the House task force on nonproliferation.
The plane was carrying Advanced Cruise Missiles from Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota to Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana on Aug. 30, said the Pentagon officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of a department policy not to confirm information on nuclear weapons.
The missiles, which are being decommissioned, were mounted onto pylons on the bomber's wings. It is unclear why the warheads had not been removed beforehand.
The Air Combat Command has ordered a command-wide stand down on Sept. 14 to review procedures, the officials said. They said there was minimal risk to crews and the public because of safety features designed into the munitions.
In addition to the munitions squadron commander who was relieved of his duties, persons involved with the mistaken load — including ground crew — have been temporarily decertified for handling munitions, one official said.
The investigation is expected to take several weeks.
The incident was first reported by the Military Times newspapers, which, along with USA TODAY, are owned by Gannett.
"There is no more serious issue than the security and proper handling of nuclear weapons," Skelton said.
September 6, 2007
Pg. 9
By Associated Press
WASHINGTON — A B-52 bomber was mistakenly armed with six nuclear warheads and flown for more than three hours across several states last week, prompting an Air Force investigation and the firing of one commander, Pentagon officials said Wednesday.
The incident was so serious that President Bush and Defense Secretary Robert Gates were quickly informed and Gates has asked for daily briefings on the Air Force investigation, Defense Department spokesman Geoff Morrell said.
"At no time was the public in danger," Morrell said.
Missouri Rep. Ike Skelton, chairman of the Armed Services Committee, called the mishandling of the weapons "deeply disturbing" and said the committee would press the military for details. Rep. Ed Markey, a senior member of the Homeland Security committee, said it was "inexcusable."
"Nothing like this has ever been reported before and we have been assured for decades that it was impossible," said Markey, D-Mass., co-chairman of the House task force on nonproliferation.
The plane was carrying Advanced Cruise Missiles from Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota to Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana on Aug. 30, said the Pentagon officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of a department policy not to confirm information on nuclear weapons.
The missiles, which are being decommissioned, were mounted onto pylons on the bomber's wings. It is unclear why the warheads had not been removed beforehand.
The Air Combat Command has ordered a command-wide stand down on Sept. 14 to review procedures, the officials said. They said there was minimal risk to crews and the public because of safety features designed into the munitions.
In addition to the munitions squadron commander who was relieved of his duties, persons involved with the mistaken load — including ground crew — have been temporarily decertified for handling munitions, one official said.
The investigation is expected to take several weeks.
The incident was first reported by the Military Times newspapers, which, along with USA TODAY, are owned by Gannett.
"There is no more serious issue than the security and proper handling of nuclear weapons," Skelton said.