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WORLD / America
Nuclear bombs mistakenly flown over US
(AP)
Updated: 2007-09-06 09:29
WASHINGTON -- A B-52 bomber was mistakenly armed with six nuclear
warheads and flown for more than three hours across several states last
week, prompting an Air Force investigation and the firing of one
commander, Pentagon officials said Wednesday.
A US Air Force B-52 bomber seen here in Melbourne in this 2005 file
photo. [AFP]
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 inquiry, said Defense Department press
secretary Geoff Morrell.
He said Gates was assured that "the munitions were part of a routine
transfer between the two bases and at all times they were in the custody
and control of Air Force personnel and 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" and said the committee
would press the military for details. Rep. Edward J. 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 from Minot Air Force
Base, N.D., to Barksdale Air Force Base, La., on August 30, said the
officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of a Defense
Department policy not to confirm information on nuclear weapons.
The missiles, which are being decommissioned, were mounted onto pylons on
the bomber's wings and it is unclear why the warheads had not been
removed beforehand.
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,
without detonating.
The Air Combat Command has ordered a command-wide stand down on September
14 to review procedures, officials said. They said there was minimal risk
to crews and the public because of safety features designed into the
munitions.
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.
The investigation is expected to take several weeks.
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