This just showed up on the AP wire:
A B-52 bomber was mistakenly loaded with five nuclear warheads during a flight from North Dakota to Louisiana, a military newspaper reported Wednesday.
The bomber carried advanced cruise missiles as part of a Defense Department program to retire 400 of the missiles, the paper said, quoting three officers who spoke on condition they remain anonymous because they were not authorized to discuss the incident.
The officers said the nuclear warheads should have been removed before the missiles were mounted onto pylons under the bomber’s wings for the Aug. 30 flight from Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota to Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana.
A Minot Air Force Base spokeswoman, Sgt. Marelise Wood, referred questions by The Associated Press to the Air Force secretary’s office in Washington. A spokesman there was out of the office Wednesday morning and not immediately available for comment.
An Air Force spokesman, Lt. Col. Ed Thomas, said that the weapons were in Air Force control at all times and the missiles were safely transferred.
Air Force policy does not permit officials to say whether nuclear warheads were involved, Thomas said.
However, he said all nuclear weapons at Minot were accounted for.
“Air Force standards are very exacting when it comes to munitions handling,” Thomas said. “The weapons were always in our custody and there was never a danger to the American public.”
He said an investigation was launched and the crews involved in loading the missiles were decertified pending corrective action or training.
I wish we could make this stuff up. And did Col. Thomas keep a straight face when he made those statements?
I’m sorry, but at times like these, only one video excerpt will do:
(Gouge– ED)
– Ward
{ 56 comments… read them below or add one }
What Id like to know is, how did mainstream media even get a hold of this story? Seems like sensitive information, and even if the nuclear weapons were onboard the AC, how was this information leaked out to the media? Thats what would concern me the most.
he bomber carried advanced cruise missiles as part of a Defense Department program to retire 400 of the missiles, the paper said, quoting three officers who spoke on condition they remain anonymous because they were not authorized to discuss the incident.
Three officers who can’t keep their pie hole shut. Several officers have already lost their jobs and career over this.
Seems to me that news outlets need to stop reporting based upon anonymous sources; if they cant be verified then they should not be cited. There is no accountability there; in many cases it could all be completely fabricated. It would also serve to deter people from discussing incidents they are specifically forbidden from divulging (case in point).
I’m glad this story got leaked and I only wish more “investigative” reporting was done. On a scale of 1 to 10 in the troubles for America department, this just doesn’t rate. Is it embarrassing to the Air Force? Heck Yeah! Give me more info, not less!!!
the incident reported? well, interesting.
but the video? dead on!!!
thanx again Ward, heh! heh!
(say, wonder if certain Eastern Asian hackers might be interested in certain maintenance/supply/logistics snafus? neh?)
Classic, Otto. Classic.
Why is CNN saying that the Air Force is going
to stand down state side on September 14th
for training Last time I checked we were
at war.
Hmmm, Larry Johnson over at TPM isn’t so sure this is an innocent mistake: http://snipurl.com/1qd7a
The best part of this story is the speculation that it’s all part of an Evil Neocon Plan ™ to nuke Iran. Thanks for the link, BobN. I needed a decent laugh.
The Pentagon network was hacked recently and then this happens.
Seems to be a message of sorts…
Either a little mischief to point out bureaucratic network security bungling, or a clear message that ‘we got you by the balls’. Normally this event would have remained highly classified, but leaks abound and it became public.
Either way, I seriously doubt security protocols could have been ‘ignored’. Inventory systems had to have been compromised to allow the movement of warheads to the Buff’s pylons.
…and I used to think it was the Russkies who had trouble keeping their nukes accounted for.
We sure live and learn.
And could somebody please explain to me how you manage to “accidentally” upload nukes on a plane ? Anybody ? Please ?
Regards & all
Thomas L. Nielsen
Denmark
i know that as a Marine in supply if i accidentally ordered the wrong part or sent gear to the wrong unit my ass is on a platter. i cant imagine what’s going on with the Airman that were in charge of this one.
Good job on the news for giving any terrorist the chance to make a move. Could they have given a time and bldg number?!
I have a better question…how come they strapped the supposedly disarmed missiles to the wing pylons of a B-52 instead of crating them up and shipping them on a cargo plane? Surely cruise missiles don’t need a full ECM defensive suite..
Call me paranoid, but with the amount of checks and oversight needed to move, release, or even look at nuclear anything in the military, how the heck do you VIOLATE INTERNATIONAL TREATY by flying nuke warheads?
Something is smells…and it aint just the bayou.
oops, forgot to add something. Army times is reporting 6, while Military Times is reporting 5…is one missing and they just don’t want us to know?
One is a mistake, two is a coincidence, three is a pattern…they moved 5 or 6…Yikes.
This was the most over-hyped story of the week.The Air Force used to fly with nuclear weapons on a daily basis for decades with weapons that contained arming and safing mechanisms far less secure than today’s nukes.The only thing wrong with this story is that they should have been on their way to Waziristan, not Louisiana.
Please,
Let’s not forget Larry Johnson’s all-time, most ill-timed NYT editorial in US history…weeks before 9/11, explaining to the American people why terrorism against Americans is overhyped and rationalizing that the government was fear mongering over the issue…its a classic and clearly demonstrates the group-think in the State Dept pre 9/11.
He has about as much credibility on national security issues as Tipper Gore.
Read it yourself and weep….
Re Larry Johnson’s comments about the intentional(?) delivery of nuclear tipped cruise missiles to Barksdale as a possible sign of a looming attack on Iran, I’ll say this-
It isn’t unusual for a B-52 to fly there from Minot. It has been common knowledge Barksdale has been used as a staging point for strikes in Iraq since 2003, not some big secret. Nuclear weapons, including ALCM’s, have long been in storage at Barksdale…you can clearly see the ASP at BAFB on google earth.
To derive some sinister meaning from this that points to a looming attack on Iran is a flight of fancy that exists only in Larry’s imagination.
Anyone having knowledge of this incident would have to have been on PRP status and as such, would have known NOT to discuss this with anyone outside of official reporting channels. If indeed this is true and not some fabricated story then someone(s) are in violation not just of duty but the Core Value of Integrity.
The fact that these “informants” go unidentified is of course logical, but also a big hit on their credibility.
How likely is it that they just happened to load these things without knowing what they were? I’m no ammo tech, but those guys know what their stuff looks like and it does take quite a bit of authorization to deal with anything sensitive.
Sounds like another media hype over a bad rumor, and I agree, the worst thing about it is that people’s careers have probably just ended because of nothing at all.
If it’s true and if it was leaked, than shame on the persons who leaked it. We don’t need to know everything because we overreact. There was no danger in transporting the weapons. It happens all the time, only thing this one was not planned. I know that if it did happen than there was some serious mis communication. You don’t just pull nukes out of the storage shed. The story makes no sense at all in my opinion.
Something everyone needs to start thinking about, the men and women of the United States Military are all brothers and sisters, sons and daughters of some one and there is no grand conspiracy to do anything with these nukes not outlined by regulation. Mistakes happen, but I am sure it was a mistake if it happened. Oh yea; I’m in the Air Force…
As a former nuclear weapons technician (US Navy) it is a physical impossibility to “accidentally” transport ANY type of nulear weapon. Just moving a missile from submarine to submarine tender requires a buffer zone and an exclusion area which are manned by armed personnel (sailors AND Marines). All personnel involved possess TS security clearance along with PRP (personnel reliability program). In addition there are the missile log books that MUST follow the weapon. From my professional training this story is 100% fabrication. D.L.
I worked for 20 years as an Ammo troop. I find it hard to believe that live nukes were loaded on an aircraft by mistake. The procedures and security precautions in place are designed to keep this type of thing from happening.
Why is everyone saying that this story is a rumor when the Air Force spokesperson has already confirmed it?!?!?!? Why are tears shed for individuals that broke protocol??? If anything be thankful that no one was hurt but don’t shoot the messenger. As far as some readers saying that this info needs to be withheld from public view, I ask why??? OPSEC is not an issue here, someone just made a mistake, was inattentive, or derelict in the performance of duty etc…Democracy’s are suppose to be transparent.
In response to “STFO”…yes mistakes can be made and apparantly the USAF made one heluva mistake…I am not knowledgable in Air Force protocol concerning nukes but I stand by my former comment, it is physically IMPOSSIBLE under Navy directives for this type of “mistake” to occur. D.L.
Gone are the days of SAC and the disaplines within. After all, it is a kinder gentler A/F today where ACC finds itself in-charge(?).
Put out the “Help Wanted” sign Martha, there are a few openings now that need to be filled. Standard knee-jerk reactions will no doubt ripple from the top (General) to the lowest (Ariman) as a result. So many talented will now suffer due to the bonehead mistakes of so few. Now, what were the lessons learned here? Who notified the press? If you wanted to end your career without a parade, this is how to do it!!
As an old 20+ SAC ‘Cold Warrior’, I’m just speechless. Are the folks at ACC/HQ still of the fighter mentality that the PRP Program & all the RAND guidelines have been thrown out? So much for DOE & NUC-SURETY programs also.
I can’t help but imagine the look on that little rap-rat’s face at Barksdale when that BUFF pulled into parking with real ‘Crowd Pleasers’ on the inboard pylons, as he/she called for CSC & said, “… we have a priority ‘A’ resource parked on spot…”.
Un-flippin’ believeable.
Anybody remember Chrome Dome? Didn’t have any W 80s back then, but they carried a few of those beautes around a lot. And no, the explosion would not have been a bit large-ish unless they were, well you know, prepted so to speak.
Just to be clear for the apologists already working overtime – incompetence at this level should not be a “secret” nor hidden from public view. This kind of “mistake” is exactly why the Russians have such a bad rap with their nuclear stockpile.
The knowledgable crowd isn’t fear mongering over the fact that nukes were flown in the US – the HUGE issue is that *five* devices left storage, got loaded, and left the base without any red flags going up. That is inexcusable, IMO.
As to those saying it didn’t happen – ostrich time is over. Remove head from sand and deal with it.
I want lots of heads to roll over this – there is no such thing as an acceptable “oops” when dealing with nuclear munitions. This is the one place in the military where “zero tolerance” is actually called for.
Apparently the USAF needs to take refresher courses from the USN on how to handle their nuclear inventory. This is downright pathetic.
Who ever heard of such a movement. Keep in mind most SWA B-52 attacks, came from Barksdale. Put the pieces together..a mission was scrubbed…
yeah, “assassination.” I guess that’s just one more “ass” running for cover…
My nic says it all. Having worked on those beauts Minuteman II, it was more than just a squadron commander to blame. Unless he overrode everyones complaints. I mean, those missiles had to come from the WSA, and who signed for them? Everyone in the chain HAD to know what they had.It never was easy to get an RV for the ICBM. Beaucoup paperwork and security. It’s scary to think it was a total breakdown of the system. 3Anyway, there never was a danger of one detonating, nuclear yield.
My nic says it all. Having worked on those beauts Minuteman II, it was more than just a squadron commander to blame. Unless he overrode everyones complaints. I mean, those missiles had to come from the WSA, and who signed for them? Everyone in the chain HAD to know what they had.It never was easy to get an RV for the ICBM. Beaucoup paperwork and security. It’s scary to think it was a total breakdown of the system. 3Anyway, there never was a danger of one detonating, nuclear yield.
Oh how soon we all forget. It wasn’t that many years ago we had something called chrome dome; remember that? We had 52′s flying 24-7 with nukes. I see no reason to get one nighty in a wad. Get a life….
From an old 462xx
If this story is true somebody screwed up big time! I find it hard to believe that nobody raised a red flag or even noticed that they had a special weapon. Having been a bomb loader for 20-years, during which time we loaded a lot of nukes on “Victor Alert” aircraft. The amount of control, security and paperwork involved in loading specials weapons or cross loading them from one aircraft to the next was mind-boggling. There’s no way that a mistake like that could have been made back in the day.
I wish the crew that loaded that aircraft a lot of luck in getting re-certified to load aircraft. I think that they are going to be spending a lot of time in the load barn.
What happened to all the controls we had over 30 plus years ago. If maintenance didn’t use the correct T.O. rubber groumet for a time changed part, or basically not having two people holding hands doing anything (exaggeration) , they failed the CI, you locked up the unit, and they had to be recertified.
I bet this incident got the attention of President Ahmadenejad (sp) – yes, we still have small nukes – start paying attention to what we are telling you.
Michael….Sounds like military? I think not. A lost M-16 will get you before a military court. Lost 782 gear will get you a Captains Mast, loss of pay, confinement to your barracks and reporting in to the officer of the day on the hour. The only question left with this is…how severe is the punishment going to be? A Major General is suppose to be leading the investigation so hopefully they’ll be publishing punishments pretty soon.
To bad we didnt fly over to pakastan or iraq, let those sukers fly and put a hurtin on global terrorism
You can bet that some heads will roll if true, but not the heads responsible. Some lowly airman or woman will take the fall and the officer responsible will walk. No need to make a fuss over a couple nukes when officers are at stake.
And for all you out there who don’t remember or are too young to remember, there used to be a LOT of nukes flying about the country and, for that matter, around the globe at the ready. To date, three nukes have been dropped on accident, two in Spain and one hit a chicken coop in South Carolina, I think. No one was injured and the bombs did not explode. They won’t without the proper command to detonate, as these three were not.
All things taken into account, where else better to have them than on a B-52. Our nation’s weapon platform. If they were on an Iranian plane, it would irritate me but these planes were designed for these cruise missles and nuclear bombs.
To Solomon,
Democracy is supposed to be transparent, not the military. They are supposed to be opaque, translucent at best. National secrets are supposed to be just that- secret. There is no need for loose lips now that a WAR is in progress. If J. Edgar,FDR,Truman, or Eisenhower was still alive, this would not even get any of their desk, let alone in the news. Now the news needs to give the enemy/terrorists the detonation code then we can talk of what was not what is.
You know, more and more I am thinking this might have been leaked as an underhanded “Make my day” to Iran. Kinda like the neighborhood thug walking into the convenience store and the clerk pulling out a K-bar and cleaning it as a warning.
Concerning the three officers who made the unauthorized dislosure about this matter: I hope that they are discovered and court martialed.
To John: Some of the dropped bombs exploded, when the HE charge detonated on impact. For perhaps the most spectacular one see the case from March 11, 1958, when one such beauty landed in a garden in Mars Bluff, SC. The resulting crater was 50-70 feet in diameter and 25-30 feet deep.
In every such case, the HE detonation was asymmetric, and there was no nuclear yield, “only” some plutonium dispersal. Getting a full yield explosion is not exactly a simple deal. (Asymmetric detonation can be also intentionally caused when the tamper-detection circuits sense an unauthorized detonation attempt. More details are somewhere around the Internet. It’s a pretty efficient way to limit the amount of unauthorized tampering.)
To author: Congratulation for the priceless video choice. Thank you, you made my day!
John!
The military is, with certain exceptions, simply an extension of the US government. Having said that there is no reason for them not to be subjected to the same scrutiny that we hold- say – the Dept of Agriculture to. As I stated before, the Air Force has already commented on this issue. A “no comment” was not issued and no official has sited operational security as being compromised. Why you would attempt to censor information that rightfully belongs in the public realm continues to amazes me.
AS AN AIRMAN ONCE STATIONED AT MINOT IT WAS COMMOM PLACE FOR B-52Hs TO LEAVE BASE FULLY LOADED WITH NUKES ON BOARD. THAT WAS A DIFFERENT TIME OF COURSE. AND IT HAS BEEN STATED THAT THERE WAS NO HARM TO ANYONE IN THE U.S. BELIEVE ME IF NEEDED, ALL THE B-52 FLYING WOULD BE FULLY LOADED WITH WHATEVER IS NEEDED FOR THE MISSION. GRANTED THE ATTENDING GROUND CREW SCREWED UP, BUT IF EVERYTHING WAS DONE INA SAFE MANNER THERE WAS NOTHING THAT SHOULD HAVE MADE SUCH A BIG FLAP OVER.
AS AN AIRMAN ONCE STATIONED AT MINOT IT WAS COMMOM PLACE FOR B-52Hs TO LEAVE BASE FULLY LOADED WITH NUKES ON BOARD. THAT WAS A DIFFERENT TIME OF COURSE. AND IT HAS BEEN STATED THAT THERE WAS NO HARM TO ANYONE IN THE U.S. BELIEVE ME IF NEEDED, ALL THE B-52 FLYING WOULD BE FULLY LOADED WITH WHATEVER IS NEEDED FOR THE MISSION. GRANTED THE ATTENDING GROUND CREW SCREWED UP, BUT IF EVERYTHING WAS DONE INA SAFE MANNER THERE WAS NOTHING THAT SHOULD HAVE MADE SUCH A BIG FLAP OVER.
Does anyone else have a problem with this??
quoting “three officers who spoke on condition they remain anonymous” because they were not authorized to discuss the incident.
The officers said the nuclear warheads should have been removed before the missiles were mounted onto pylons under the bomber’s wings for the Aug. 30 flight from Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota to Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana.
Hmm I seem to remember something that went along with my security clearance about not opening your big frigging mouth. drawn and quartered
Now Sec. Gates has asked Larry Welch (former CinC SAC) to head up an independent investigation. I’m sure the General knows his stuff, but a child of three could work this one out. 1. Shapes are treated exactly like nukes: storage, records, PRP, security et. al.; every one is terrified of shapes. 2. TMC means two guys check everything. 3. Bombers are haulers of iron, not trash; why does a potential training sortie get generated for a cargo mission? 4. ACC reinstitutes Curtis LeMay style no-shit no-notice ORIs and NSIs where failure is not an option. Time to get serious about nukes.
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