U.S. Air Force Recertifies Nuclear-Weapon Air Base

The U.S. Air Force on Monday recertified the 5th Bomb Wing at Minot Air Force Base, N.D., to handle nuclear weapons following its accidental transfer of six nuclear-armed cruise missiles across the country last year, the Associated Press reported (see GSN, Feb. 27).

Following a one-week inspection, the unit was recertified by Gen. John Corley, Air Combat Command chief at Langley Air Force Base, Va.

“Basically, the wing was graded and found ready to perform their strategic mission,” said Maj. Tom Crosson, an Air Force spokesman at Langley.

The inspections came after months of retraining, disciplinary measures and dismissals among the unit’s personnel.

“I've never heard of (decertification) happening before,” he said, adding that the measure did not compromise the base’s combat capabilities.

“This is like a load that has been lifted off our unit,” said Col. Joel Westa, who took command at Minot following the August incident.  “It has really boosted morale here” (James MacPherson, Associated Press/Google News, April 3).

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