Article

2007-10-19 Home Front: WoT

US Air Force to fire officers involved in `mistaken' B-52 flight

Archived material is restricted to Rantburg regulars and members. If you need access email fred.pruitt=at=gmail.com with your nick to be added to the members list. There is no charge to join Rantburg as a member.

Posted by Fred 2007-10-19 00:00|| || Front Page|| [11131 views ] Top

#1 The officers didn't do the loading.

Posted by Skidmark 2007-10-19 00:50|| 2007-10-19 00:50|| Front Page Top

#2 Perhaps not, Skidmark, but all other officers in similar commands will now be a lot more attentive to inventory control and ops training hereon out. Obviously, things were allowed to loosen up a little too much at Minot AFB.

I also think that America should be very proud if this represents the worst slip-up in our handling of nuclear weapons. Fewif anyother nations with our size of arsenal can boast of such a sterling track record. The Soviet Union is absolutely porous by comparison. As the only country to actually use nuclear weapons in a time of war, it is absolutely imperative that we maintain a spotless record in our handling of them.

The time is soon arriving where we will most likely be forced to use them once again. I want America to enter such a situation firmly situated on the moral high ground. These actions against the responsible officers are a valid part of maintaining that position.

Posted by Zenster">Zenster 2007-10-19 02:41|| 2007-10-19 02:41|| Front Page Top

#3 In the good old days, SAC would have had these guys counting penguins in Antartica the very next day.

Posted by Steve 2007-10-19 07:21|| 2007-10-19 07:21|| Front Page Top

#4 The officers didn't do the loading.

Ir's called accountability. It's still alive in the military. You want the job, then do it, do it right. There's zero tolerance when dealing with nukes.

One said the investigation found long-established procedures for handling the munitions were not followed

Which means no one in that chain has done a single walk through on his/her tour. They've parked themselves at their desks or buried themselves in paperwork to give themselves an excuse not to go out on the line. There's a reason there are procedures. It doesn't take a lot initiative to have them in hand and watch the crews go through their actions, step by step. It takes time. No one is really comfortable doing it. However, as demonstrated, it is necessary.

There is no substitute for 'Management by Walking Around'. I think we've seen it with General Petraeus in Iraq.

The letters in the 'official files' kill any future advancement and, as eluded to, plush assignments to Kiska or ROTC duty at a California university are in their future.

Posted by Procopius2k 2007-10-19 09:14|| 2007-10-19 09:14|| Front Page Top

#5 The essence of Strategic Air Command was responsibility. Every officer was responsible for the performance of his duties and for the performance of everyone reporting to him. Even though the organization charts have changed, the ethos is the same. In this case, the squadron commander of the Munitions Squadron, the squadron commander of the Maintenance Squadron, the squadron commander of the Bomb Squadron, and the wing commander of the Bomb Wing should all be relieved of command with the possibility of dereliction of duty charges against some of them.

Posted by RWV 2007-10-19 09:43|| 2007-10-19 09:43|| Front Page Top

#6 Systems are there to prevent mistakes (which are inevitable) from turning into problems.

I think zero is the only acceptable number for nuclear problems.

Posted by Bright Pebbles 2007-10-19 09:57|| 2007-10-19 09:57|| Front Page Top

#7 Which means no one in that chain has done a single walk through on his/her tour.

Yup. That's what led to Abu Ghraib - Karpinsky didn't walk through or mandate them by the battalion commanders. One LTC kept his unit to standard, the others .... didn't.

Posted by lotp 2007-10-19 10:17|| 2007-10-19 10:17|| Front Page Top

#8 ..RW speaks considerable wisdom. When I served in a SAC weapons storage area, everyone from the wing commander on down to the OIC Munitions Flight was a daily expected visitor.
Something else that should be kept in mind, but has not gotten much play: Minot had just recently FAILED its nuclear surety inspection, which in the Old Days had been a cause for instant termination of careers up and down the chain, general officers included. Barksdale had done well on its NSI, but the total failure of the folks on that end to notice what was going on suggests that the wing leadership was 'teaching the inspection' - they brought themselves up to speed in time for the NSI and then went back to routine afterwards. That tells me that the bomber culture in ACC is now, 'screw the nukes, the close support side of the house is where the tickets can be punched."

Mike

Posted by Mike Kozlowski 2007-10-19 12:35|| 2007-10-19 12:35|| Front Page Top

#9 Counting penguins!!?!?? If LeMay were in charge, you would see summary executions out on the taxiway. I'm not sure I'm exagerating.

Posted by N guard 2007-10-19 13:36|| 2007-10-19 13:36|| Front Page Top

#10 NG, you're not.

Posted by RWV 2007-10-19 15:44|| 2007-10-19 15:44|| Front Page Top

#11 Ever see a fellow wearing a sport coat with a bulge in the heat of the summer? I personally think it was intended as a subtle strategic reminder. Just saying.....

Posted by Besoeker 2007-10-19 16:40|| 2007-10-19 16:40|| Front Page Top

#12 RAWSTORY > USAF may fire up to 70 personnel.

Posted by JosephMendiola 2007-10-19 22:11|| 2007-10-19 22:11|| Front Page Top

23:44 Kirk
23:31 Zenster
23:29 OldSpook
23:28 phil_b
23:22 phil_b
23:21 Icerigger
23:21 OldSpook
23:19 OldSpook
23:19 Frank G
23:17 Grandpa Simpson
23:10 OldSpook
23:09 Barbara Skolaut
23:08 Redneck Jim
23:08 Frank G
22:59 SteveS
22:54 SteveS
22:52 lotp
22:49 lotp
22:34 SteveS
22:16 Red Dawg
22:16 JosephMendiola
22:11 JosephMendiola
22:08 Zenster
22:07 JosephMendiola