2007 United States Air Force nuclear weapons incident

Six AGM-129 cruise missiles, each loaded with a W80-1 variable yield nuclear warhead, were mistakenly loaded onto a United States Air Force B-52H heavy bomber. The nuclear warheads were not reported missing, and remained mounted to the aircraft at both Minot and Barksdale for 36 hours. The incident was reported to the top levels of the United States military and referred to by observers as a Bent Spear incident.

About 2007 United States Air Force nuclear weapons incident in brief

Six AGM-129 cruise missiles, each loaded with a W80-1 variable yield nuclear warhead, were mistakenly loaded onto a United States Air Force B-52H heavy bomber. The nuclear warheads were not reported missing, and remained mounted to the aircraft at both Minot and Barksdale for 36 hours. The incident was reported to the top levels of the United States military and referred to by observers as a Bent Spear incident. The investigation concluded that nuclear weapons handling standards and procedures had not been followed by numerous USAF personnel involved in the incident. Four USAF commanders were relieved of their commands, numerous other USAF personnel were disciplined or decertified to perform certain types of sensitive duties, and further cruise missile transport missions from—and nuclear weapons operations at—Minot Air Force Base were suspended. In October 2008, in response to recommendations by a review committee, the USAF announced the creation of Air Force Global Strike Command to control all USAF nuclear bombers, missiles, and personnel. At the time of the incident, the 5th Bomb Wing was commanded by Colonel Bruce Emig, the 2nd Bomb Wing by Colonel Robert Wheeler, the 8th Air Force by Lieutenant General Robert Elder Jr., and ACC by General Ronald Keys. The 5th bomb wing, according to the USAF’s statement on the wing’s mission, served with its B- 52H bombers as part of the Air Force’s conventional and strategic combat force.

The mission included the ability to deliver nuclear weapons against potential targets worldwide. In August 2007, more than 200 AGM129s had been shipped from Minot to Barksalee in this manner. According to The Washington Post, by August 29, 2007, over 0800 and 0,800 AGM 129s were shipped to this manner by this manner and in 0,000 and 0.800 and this manner in this way by August 09, 2007. In order to comply with international arms-control treaties and replace them with AGM86s, USAF began to transport its AGm-129s stored at Minot with its AGM94 cruise missiles. The AGM128 cruise missile was fielded in 1987 as a stealthy cruise missile platform to deliver the W 80-1 Variable Yield Nuclear Warhead. It was originally designed to be mounted on the B-1B Lancer bomber, but the redesign would only be used on external pylons on the wings or in the bomb bay of the B52H, so it was carried by the B 52H. In March 2007 the USAF decided to retire it internally in order to help comply with the Arms Control Treaty and replace it with the AGM88 cruise missile. In April 2007, it was decided that it would be used to carry out the mission of the U.S. Air Force’s new Air Combat Command (AC), which was based at Langley AFB, Virginia. In July 2007, the Air combat Command was renamed Air Force Combat Command. The Air combat command was based in Langley, Virginia, but retained both TAC’s organizational insignia and TAC’S former headquarters.

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