Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search

October 7, 2008 5:55:54 AM CDT

Learn about Newser Points »

« Back to the grid | Next story »

US Nuke Bomb Crew Caught Napping

Posted Jul 25, 08 4:42 AM CDT in US 

(Newser) – A three-man US missile crew fell asleep while in possession of  top secret launch codes for nuclear missiles, reports Reuters. It happened earlier this month at a Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota—the same site of a breach last year in which nuclear weapons were erroneously loaded on a B-52 and flown to Louisiana.

The codes, contained in devices used to communicate with missiles in silos, had been deactivated, as part of the routine updating, so there was no actual security risk in the embarrassing lapse. An investigation concluded there was no compromise of the codes. The Air Force is contemplating disciplinary action.

Source Reuters

0 comments | Print E-mail | Digg Seed this on Newsvine Add this link to Del.icio.us StumbleUpon

Related Newser Stories

  • USAF Officers Take Rap for Missing Nukes

    Oct 19, 07 5:50 PM CDT
    USAF Officers Take Rap for Missing Nukes Nearly 2 months after a B-52 loaded with nuclear warheads took an unauthorized flight from North Dakota to Louisiana, the Air Force has relieved four officers of duty, CNN reports. After a 6-week investigation, 70 airmen will be disciplined for what the Air Force secretary called an "unacceptable mistake and a clear deviation from our exacting standards," the AP reports. More »

A nuclear weapons silo similar to one on Minot Air Force Base where a missile crew fell asleep.   (Magnum Photos)
Defense Secretary Robert Gates. Three ballistic missile crew members in North Dakota fell asleep while holding classified launch code devices earlier this month.   (AP Photo/Kevin Wolf)
A ballistic missile is launched as a target during a missile defense test. A missile crew in North Dakota fell asleep while holding devices containing nuclear launch codes.   (AP Photo/Missile Defense Agency)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
Our editors also recommend:

Threads (
1
 of 2)

Tags

Robert Gates  • nuclear weapons  • nuclear arsenal  • B-52 bomber  • security breach  • Minot Air Force Base


Loading...

Premium Articles from HighBeam

Find more articles like this

Today's Most Popular

Loading...

Other US Stories

What is Newser?

2008 Codie Finalist

Newser gives you more news in less time. We search for the best and most important stories all over the web, read them for you, and deliver concise and sharp summaries—along with links to the full text. Newser provides a way to stay on top of an ever-expanding horizon of news and opinion—politics, sports, business, trends, technology, personalities, crimes, and controversies. Newser keeps you not just better informed, but, with our signature graphic interface and smart condensed format, more enjoyably informed.

Learn more »