Originally published September 6, 2007 at 12:00 AM | Page modified September 6, 2007 at 2:08 AM
Air Force fires commander in nuke error
The Air Force fired a commander after a B-52 bomber was mistakenly armed with six nuclear warheads and flown for more than three hours across...
The Associated Press
WASHINGTON — The Air Force fired a commander after a B-52 bomber was mistakenly armed with six nuclear warheads and flown for more than three hours across several states last week, Pentagon officials said Wednesday.
It was originally reported that five nuclear warheads were transported, but officers who revealed the incident to the Military Times newspaper group, which first reported it, have since updated the number to six.
The mistake 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 that was ordered, said Defense Department press secretary Geoff Morrell.
He said Gates was assured that "at no time was the public in danger."
Rep. Ike Skelton, chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, called the mishandling of the weapons "deeply disturbing." Rep. Edward Markey, a senior member of the Homeland Security Committee, said it was "absolutely 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-chair of the House task force on nonproliferation.
The plane was carrying advanced cruise missiles, which are to be decommissioned, from Minot Air Force Base, N.D., to Barksdale Air Force Base, La., on Aug. 30, said the officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
According to the officials, the weapons are designed with multiple safety features that ensure the warheads don't accidentally detonate.
Arming the weapons requires a number of stringent protocols and authentication codes that must be followed for detonation. And they are designed to withstand a significant impact, including an aircraft crash.
The Air Combat Command has ordered a commandwide stand down Sept. 14 to review procedures, officials said.
The Defense Department uses a computerized tracking program to keep tabs on each one of its nuclear warheads, said Hans Kristensen, director of the Nuclear Information Project at the Federation of American Scientists.
For the six warheads to make it onto the B-52, each one would have had to be signed out of its storage bunker and transported to the bomber. Diligent safety protocols would have to have been ignored to load the warheads onto the plane, he said.
![]()
"I just can't imagine how all of this happened," said Philip Coyle, a senior adviser on nuclear weapons at the Center for Defense Information. "The procedures are so rigid; this is the last thing that's supposed to happen."
In addition to the munitions squadron commander who was relieved of his duties, crews involved with the mistaken load — including ground-crew workers — have been temporarily decertified for handling munitions, one official said.
Material from the Military Times is included in this report.
Copyright © 2007 The Seattle Times Company
Germany celebrates memory of Berlin Wall falling
UPDATE - 07:26 PM
Late-season hurricane takes aim at US Gulf Coast
Chavez to troops: Prepare for war with Colombia

Mourners gather at KeyArena for slain officer's memorial
Mourners gathered at KeyArena for the memorial service of Seattle police Officer Timothy Brenton on November 6, 2009.
nwjobs

Post a comment

Michelle Goodman blogs about work/life balance.
How to tell your office you're gravely ill
Post a comment
nwautos

Choosing a new sedan? Weigh the impact of your choice on your wallet and on the planet.
Post a comment
- Flags were key link to cop slaying, bombings
- Suspect shot as city mourns slain officer
- Bombs, guns found at home of suspect in Officer Brenton's slaying
- Briefs | Soccer: New Mexico suspends hair-pulling player Elizabeth Lambert
- How an underdog named Mike McGinn took City Hall
- 3 Cascade Mountain passes close due to snow; more rain, wind expected Sunday
- Huskies suffer another heartbreaking loss to UCLA
- McGinn pulling away as late ballots come in
- The birth of 'Grunge,' in photos by Michael Lavine
- Using anti-shooter tactics, civilian Army police officer brought down gunman
- U.S. House passes health plan
371 - Bombs, guns found at home of suspect in Officer Brenton's slaying
253 - Decision day for health care in the House
216 - Referendum 71 show's Washington's strategy for marriage equality is working
161 - Grading the game
158 - How an underdog named Mike McGinn took City Hall
89 - Beavers open as 10-point favorites against Huskies
83 - Sounders FC-Dynamo playoff Game 2 thread
81 - Game thread: Detroit Lions at Seattle Seahawks, Nov. 8
74 - Fort Hood shooting suspect had shown troubling signs
71
- Suspect shot as city mourns slain officer
- Flags were key link to cop slaying, bombings
- The birth of 'Grunge,' in photos by Michael Lavine
- Bombs, guns found at home of suspect in Officer Brenton's slaying
- 10 ways to take control of your health
- 10 investing missteps to avoid
- How an underdog named Mike McGinn took City Hall
- How do innovators think?
- Tlingit heritage helps glass artist Preston Singletary break new ground
- Danny Westneat | Lee the Horse Logger found slow wagon shrank tumor





