FT.com / World - Nuclear missiles went missing from US airbase
Nuclear missiles went missing from US airbase
By Demetri Sevastopulo in Washington
Published: September 6 2007 03:00 | Last updated: September 6 2007 03:00
The US Air Force is investigating how a bomber inadvertently carried five nuclear weapons across the US last month before the air force discovered the weapons were missing.
Army Times reported yesterday that a B-52 mistakenly fitted with five nuclear-armed cruise missiles flew from North Dakota to Louisiana without the air force realising that the weapons were missing from their storage location. The incident has prompted an investigation by the air force.
In an indication of the seriousness of the error, Geoff Morrell, the Pentagon press secretary, said yesterday that Robert Gates, the defence secretary, and President George W. Bush had been briefed on what happened last week. He added that the air force would provide Mr Gates with the results of its investigation next week.
The Pentagon declined to comment on whether the missiles were carrying nuclear warheads, citing a long-standing policy on discussing nuclear weapons, but said the US public was never in any danger.
Army Times said it was not discovered that the weapons - advanced cruise missiles that have nuclear warheads with yields ranging from five to 150 kilotons - were missing until theB-52 landed at Barksdaleair force base in Louisiana.
Democrats expressed outrage at the news yesterday. Ike Skelton, the Democratic chairman of the House armed services committee, said the reports were "deeply disturbing", adding that his committee would be investigating the matter.
"There is no more serious issue than the security and proper handling of nuclear weapons," said Mr Skelton. "The American people, our friends and our potential adversaries must be confident that the highest standards are in place when it comes to our nucleararsenal."
Edward Markey, a top Democrat on the House homeland security committee, said: "It is absolutely inexcusable that the air force lost track of these five nuclear warheads, even for a short period of time,.
"Nothing like this has ever been reported before and we have been assured for decades that it was impossible."
Lt Col Ed Thomas, an air force spokesman, said it was investigating "an error which occurred during a regularly scheduled transfer of weapons between two bases.
"It is important to note that munitions were safe, secure and under military control at all times."
Lt Col Thomas added that the weapons had been accounted for.
Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2007