Did anyone hear about U.S. missing nuclear warheads on a b-52 bomber on CNN this morning...or was I dreaming?

Answer 1

September 6, 2007
B-52 flies with nuclear bombs by mistake
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Tom Baldwin in Washington

The Pentagon is investigating how a B52 bomber was mistakenly armed with six nuclear warheads last week and allowed to fly 1,500 miles across America before anyone noticed the weapons were missing.

A squadron commander in charge of the warheads, each of which has up to ten times the destructive power of the Hiroshima atom bomb, has been relieved of his duties while crews responsible for the error have been banned from handling munitions.

Although officials insisted yesterday that there was never any danger of the warheads detonating, the disclosure will shake confidence in the security of America’s vast nuclear arsenal.

Washington has often voiced concerns about sloppy controls over nuclear material in the former Soviet Union, but this incident could not have been closer to home.

Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, and flew for more than three hours before landing at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana.

It was only then that crews discovered the six Advanced Cruise Missiles mounted on the bombers’ wings were armed with W80-1 warheads, which have yields of between 5 and 150 kilotons.

“Standards are very exacting when it comes to munitions handling,” said Air Force spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Edward Thomas. “All evidence we have seen so far points to an isolated mistake.

“It is important to note that muni-On August 30, a B52 took off from tions were safe, secure and under military control at all times. The error was discovered by airmen during internal Air Force checks.”

An investigation headed by Major-General Douglas Raaberg, director of Air and Space Operations at Air Combat Command Headquarters, was started immediately to find the cause of the mistake and discover how strict safeguards apparently failed. The Air Combat Command has ordered a complete stand down on September 14 to review procedures, officials confirmed yesterday.

Military experts said that there was no risk of a nuclear detonation even if the B52 had crashed, because the warheads can only be activated with Presidential approval.

But Ike Skelton, chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, called the mishandling of the weapons “deeply disturbing”. “There is no more serious issue than the security of nuclear weapons,” said the Democratic congressman. “The American people, our friends, and our potential adversaries must be confident that the highest standards are in place when it comes to our nuclear arsenal.” Retired Major-General Donald Shepperd said: “This really needs to reviewed, investigated and fixed. This was serious.”

Answer 2

Well, they didn't "miss" the warheads. Apparently, they are not supposed to transport bombs with warheads attached while in US airspace. Personally, I didn't know they had any rule like that. I guess it makes sense. Sounds like it was just a one-time glitch. But the warheads were not missing, and apparently they were not armed either.

Answer 3

They nonetheless fly around the country with them it is purely being stated now because of the fact it replaced into not the the final option payload for the undertaking and human beings are freaking love that's risky. it could have been undesirable if the bombs have been drooped on a prepare aim yet that doesn't recommend they might detonate. with the intention to flow nuclear they could desire to have the right and modern code put in them and the group does not have had it if it replaced into theory to be often used weapons. so the only threat replaced into that they drooped steel on course it did not explode and EOD might flow sparkling it and locate it replaced right into a nuke. You human beings act like thees issues are armed time bombs and the slightest bump will wreck the northern hemisphere

Answer 4

Not missing, that was the problem. The warheads were still attached to cruise missles being sent for decomissoning. They were supposed to be removed before transport.

Answer 5

I did hear about a plane carrying nuclear weapons north to south in the U.S.,the pentagon is investigating,sleep well.

Answer 6

You weren't dreaming... I don't think they were missing though, just being flown across the U.S. and that's a big no, no.

Answer 7

No youu weren't dreaming!
It's on the news over here in Australia.
I think they waited till GW was out of your country so as not to nuke him accidentally!!

Answer 8

they were loaded on to a B-52 by mistake but they were unarmed

Answer 9

No, not on CNN. I heard it on NBC.

No, not this morning. This evening.

AND you were dreaming.

Answer 10

Yes, I did. Here is one link to an article about out of thousands of them I am sure! http://rawstory.com//news/2007/CNN_Military_loses_track_of_6_0905.html