Air Force Relieves Commanders Involved in Nuke Incident

B-52 Stratofortress
News in Balance:

WASHINGTON, Oct. 19, 2007 (AFPS) -- The Air Force has relieved three commanders and disciplined an undisclosed number of others in connection with an Aug. 29 "Bent Spear" incident in which nuclear-equipped missiles were unknowingly transported across the country.

Six nuclear warheads were flown from a ammunition bunker on North Dakota's Minot Air Force Base to Barksdale Air Force Base, near Shreveport, La., for storage. The AGM-129 cruise missiles were supposed to be unarmed. Officials blamed the error on a breakdown in munitions-handling procedures.

The discipline actions are the result of an Air Force investigation following the incident. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates was briefed on the report today.

Bent Spear is a Defense Department reporting term referring to a nuclear-weapons incident that is serious but does not include the threat of detonation. Officials said the weapons were never unsecured.

More to come....

(Story by Fred W. Baker III, American Forces Press Service.)

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