Several U.S. Air Force Personnel Face Disciplinary Action for Role in Accidental Nuclear Flight

The U.S. Air Force is expected to announce disciplinary action tomorrow against officers and enlisted personnel involved in the accidental loading of nuclear weapons onto a strategic bomber, the Washington Post reported (see GSN, Sept. 28).

In the Aug. 29 incident, ground crew members at Minot Air Force Base, N.D., mistakenly attached six nuclear-armed cruise missiles to a B-52 bomber that flew to Barksdale Air Force Base, La.  Nobody noticed the presence of nuclear weapons until about 36 hours after they were removed from their Minot bunker, and the weapons received no special security protection during that time.

The disciplinary measures, which still require final Defense Department approval, are expected to be the most severe ever meted out in regard to nuclear weapon handling personnel, according to the Post.

“The Air Force is getting back to the roots of accountability,” said one senior Air Force official.

At least five officers, including a colonel commanding an air wing, would be relieved of command and several enlisted personnel would receive letters of reprimand, the Post reported.  In addition, the Air Force was considering whether to seek criminal charges, such a dereliction of duty or willful disobedience of an order (Ricks/Warrick, Washington Post, Oct. 18).

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