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.
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.”
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The plane was carrying Advanced Cruise Missiles 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 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.
And why is it necessary to fly a missile halfway across the country to decommission it?
Jesus.
I think it was intentional to scare the Iranians. We're saying, we have so many nukes we just can't keep track of them all. Gosh, we could drop one on your asses by mistake, what do you think about that?
ReplyDeleteOK OK... get over it USA!!!! I live in North Dakota and pass warheads on the little country roads at least a few times a year. We have so many warheads in this state that most people have one in their backyard with a little chain link fence around it in the ground. Passing it on a road is much more dangerous than flying in the air. No one tells you that they are coming.. they just come. I totally understand the anger and fear in the story that they didn't know where they were for a while... now THAT is scary. For all they know.. our enemies could’ve been pulling out with them. Whoopsy. If anything... the military needs to re-evaluate their procedure regulations. However, if the warheads flying above everyone is a problem... GET OVER IT!!! We here in ND and other warhead bearing states, take that chance everyday of our lives. Your soldiers are taking chances every day. Take a little of the fear like the brave states and soldiers do. If we pay the price for the warheads here in ND, you can deal with a small amount of warheads far above your head for a few minutes in your life. GET REAL USA!!!!
ReplyDeleteThis is too big a screwup to just be a screwup. The Bush regime is either trying to send a, "subtle signal, or is trying to create, "plausible" deniability for a nuclear attack on Iran. (I hope there aren't enough crazies in the military to undertake a, "false flag" strike on a US target.)
ReplyDeleteI agree that it would have been virtually impossible for this to have been an accident.
ReplyDeleteI would guess either one of two things are likely:
(1)Bush is posturing - a very dangerous game that could easy "acciently" start a nucear war, and the leak to the press was intentional, or
(2) he is planning on dropping nuclear weapons on Iran or North Korea. He invaded Iraq with little warning, and certainly could send the first volley of nuclear missles into either country with a single order. In that case, the leak may have been from someone patriotic enough to try to stop this warmongering president.