Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Hot on Facebook
Guy Buys $123 Safe on eBay, Finds $26,000 Inside Seller tries to get half the cash back, fails »

US Nuke Bomb Crew Caught Napping

Sleeping missile crew held secret codes

By Peter Fearon,  Newser Staff

Posted Jul 25, 2008 4:42 AM CDT

(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.

A nuclear weapons silo similar to one on Minot Air Force Base where a missile crew fell asleep.
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.
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.
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
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Be the first to comment on this story.

More Newser Stories

USAF Officers Take Rap for Missing Nukes

UK, France May Combine Nukes in Budget Move

US, Russia Reach Deal on Cutting Nukes

White House Overhauls Nuclear Strategy

Iran's Nukes in Rabbit Warren of Tunnels, Bunkers


NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne