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Nuclear Parts Still Missing: Pentagon Report

Sensitive components remain unaccounted for in mess that cost Air Force brass jobs

By Nick McMaster,  Newser Staff

Posted Jun 19, 2008 2:24 PM CDT
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(Newser) – The investigation that resulted in the dismissal of top US Air Force brass two weeks ago also found that hundreds of nuclear-missile parts remain missing, the Financial Times reports. Defense Secretary Robert Gates said the Pentagon needed "to re-establish positive control of these sensitive, classified components" in announcing the firings June 5; the report's conclusions present further embarrassment.

The Pentagon played down the significance of the inventory problems: "Record keeping of components was identified as a weakness, but there is a significant difference between missing items and not having a full, complete paper trail for every component," a spokesman said yesterday after a classified Capitol Hill briefing by the admiral who led the investigation.

Air Force Secretary Michael Wynne, left, and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Michael Moseley, were dismissed by Defense Secretary Robert Gates on June 5.
Air Force Secretary Michael Wynne, left, and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Michael Moseley, were dismissed by Defense Secretary Robert Gates on June 5.   (AP Photo)
Defense Secretary Robert Gates, after firing top Air Force officials, said the Pentagon needed to re-establish positive control over key nuclear components, but a report finds many still missing.
Defense Secretary Robert Gates, after firing top Air Force officials, said the Pentagon needed "to re-establish positive control" over key nuclear components, but a report finds many still missing.   (AP Photo)
A Topol-M intercontinental ballistic missile launcher moves to be displayed to Russian President Dmitry Medvedev at a nuclear missile base in Teikovo, some 250 km (150 miles) northeast of Moscow, Thursday, May 15, 2008.
A Topol-M intercontinental ballistic missile launcher moves to be displayed to Russian President Dmitry Medvedev at a nuclear missile base in Teikovo, some 250 km (150 miles) northeast of Moscow, Thursday,...   (AP Photo/Maxim Shipenkov, Pool)
Iranian missile drives past a banner, right, reading: Peaceful nuclear technology is an essential need of our country, in Tehran, Iran Wednesday April 18, 2007.
Iranian missile drives past a banner, right, reading: "Peaceful nuclear technology is an essential need of our country", in Tehran, Iran Wednesday April 18, 2007.   (AP Photo/Hasan Sarbakhshian)
Air Force Secretary Michael Wynne was ousted June 5 by Defense Secretary Robert Gates.
Air Force Secretary Michael Wynne was ousted June 5 by Defense Secretary Robert Gates.   (AP Photo)
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Background on the dismissals
New York Times

A wasted opportunity for Gates
Air Force Times

US

 
Air Force • nuclear weapons • Department of Defense • mistake • nuclear arsenal • nuclear missiles

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