Tag Archives: Nuclear Missiles

Did You Hear the One About…

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…the nuclear missile officers who “allegedly” cheated on their tests and achieved some of the lowest scores of the year?

Yes, that happened.

According to the Associated Press (AP):

Last summer, when dozens of nuclear missile officers allegedly cheated on exams, test scores were among the lowest of the year, according to Air Force records obtained by The Associated Press.

The number of nuclear missile officers who either “allegedly” cheated or failed to report the alleged cheating at Malmstrom AFB near Great Falls, Montana, is about 92.

Throw in a pickup truck and a dog and we’ll have all the ingredients for a great country song.

The AP had to ask the question, “Were they inept cheaters?”

Continue reading →

ICBM Forces: Close the Door!

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There seems to be an on-going problem in the Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) world these days, and that problem can be described in military terms as failure to pay attention to detail.

It does not appear that a shiny new checklist will correct the problem, either (that’s military humor in case you were wondering).

On Tuesday, the Associated Press (AP) reported, “Twice this year alone, Air Force officers entrusted with the launch keys to nuclear-tipped missiles have been caught leaving open a blast door that is intended to help prevent a terrorist or other intruder from entering their underground command post.”

One incident happened at Minot Air Force Base (AFB) in North Dakota; the other happened at Malmstrom AFB in Montana.

Of course commanders and the public affairs personnel at these bases will tell the public and the media that all is safe, secure, and that we civilians shouldn’t worry because everything is under control.

With so many screw-ups recently, that song is starting to grow old. In August, Malmstrom failed a nuclear inspection. In April, Minot failed a nuclear inspection. Something needs to change and to change quickly. Continue reading →

WarGames?

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Word spread quickly about 50 intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) at F.E. Warren AFB in Wyoming being knocked off-line due to a power outage for about 45 minutes.

Later it was disclosed that the problem was due to a computer glitch.

Calm down folks, it’s no big deal – unless there were UFOs circling the missile squadron.

It was also not Matthew Broderick and his girlfriend Ally Sheedy playing “Global Thermal Nuclear War” either. We all remember the words, “Shall We Play a Game?” from the 1983 movie, WarGames, don’t we? Continue reading →