US News
US sacks Air Force heads over nuclear blunders
Jun 5, 2008, 23:59 GMT
Washington - The civilian and military heads of the US Air Force have tendered their resignations after two serious breaches of nuclear security in less than a year, Defence Secretary Robert Gates announced Thursday.
Air Force Secretary Michael Wynne and Chief of Staff Michael Moseley were both asked to leave after an internal investigation revealed that a 'pattern of poor performance' and failure of leadership had led to two mishaps, Gates said.
The US in March said it mistakenly shipped fuses for detonating nuclear warheads to Taiwan. In August, a B-52 bomber was accidentally loaded with six nuclear bombs in a 1,200-kilometre flight between two bases within the United States.
'The safety, security and reliability of our nuclear weapons and associated components are of paramount importance,' Gates said. 'It is a tremendous responsibility and one we must and will never take lightly.'
Gates blamed 'systemic weaknesses,' a failure of oversight and 'lack of a critical self-assessment' at the Air Force for the two errors, both of which could have been prevented.
Gates also said he was launching an independent taskforce to make recommendations on how to shore up the Air Force's nuclear mission. More resignations or disciplinary action within the military branch could follow.
© Deutsche Presse-AgenturCOMMENT
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Older Talkback
page: 1
...Robert Gates should have been Bush's 1st Sec Def...this is the nut-cutter, the wartime conciliari he really should have had...
This is why the US must be dismantled as it is a danger to humanity. Like every empire before it so to must there come an end to this one. That's why the whole world is combining its efforts to squeeze this evil empire until the last drop of life blood is out.
Tonny from Belgium. It is obvious some cretin like EssPee or noharness is playing games. Firstly, Tonny does not type that well and secondly, he does not have that viewpoint of the US. He does not call for it'e destruction.
...when I'm talking...and I don't need to speak on someone else's handle to get my point across...
..or make empty accusations as to substance abuse....
Besides, let Tonny refute this, if it isn't him...it sure sounds like him...
I't sure dosn't sound like tonny to me, but hey, even if it was, we all have a right to free speech
but regardless of what it is, it will always be protested by SP.
Indeed that wasn't me,I have not the slightest problem with the USA,except for the neocon idiots and those using this kind of techniques in a debate .Those that read the articles and the posts underneath will help but notice that whenever some idiot finds it necessary to use smear tactics in a debate,or plain insults,never a republican will stand up and tell them that kind of degrading techniques is contrary to the spirit of democracy .Very sad ....
'...when I'm talking...and I don't need to speak on someone else's handle to get my point across...
..or make empty accusations as to substance abuse...'
Firstly the only point you have is on the top of your head. It's called a dunce cap.
Secondly, those are not empty accusations of your drug abuse. You ARE an admitted drug grower and user. We hacked the Grasscity and M&C sites, got and traced your IP. We'd post it, plus your address but the site monitors would just delete it. Wait for the knock at the door, in the middle of the night, EssPee. It's coming.
Try, just once, to make some kind of cogent argument, about the article at hand, or point? Certainly, this cannot be so difficult you retreat into lies, innuendo and hallucinations about people you have never met. Go ahead, we can't laugh at you out loud...! mean..we WILL laugh at you..but you won't have to listen to it...
Putting on false airs, again, SP? Don't try to take the moral high ground with bravado alone. Substance is needed to back it up and you are bankrupt in that department. We all know what a racist, brain dead drug addict you are.
page: 1
JasonJun 6th, 2008 - 01:08:23
For once they are starting at the top and working down instead of at the bottom and never getting to the top!
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