How warheads made an unplanned flight (B-52 flight Minot to Barksdale AGM-129 Snafu)

WaPo via LA Times ^ | September 23, 2007 | Joby Warrick and Walter Pincus

[Robe]

Don’t believe a word of it .....

[mdittmar]

Welcome to FR.

[Doctor Raoul]

The episode, serious enough to trigger a rare "Bent Spear" nuclear incident report that raced through the chain of command to Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates and President Bush, provoked new questions about the adequacy of U.S. nuclear weapons safeguards while the military's attention and resources are devoted to wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Of course, if the Comrades at the LA Times and the KOSmanuats at the DailyKooks had their way, there would be no nuclear deterrent and America would be defenseless.

[magellan]

"The episode, serious enough to trigger a rare "Bent Spear" nuclear incident report ... "

Now don't go bringing Bill Clinton into this.

[Pistolshot]

I doubt seriously the “physics package” was inserted in these. Those are heavily guarded and the 2-man rule applies when moving them.

[Southack]

It’s to be expected that there is a “cover story” about the B-52 flying armed with nukes, but no serious adult should believe that “no one noticed” any of the dozen safeguards being broken that would be required for such an “Accident.”

Which is to say, it was no accident. Happened about the time that North Korea agreed to dismantle their WMDs and allow full U.S. inspection...while simultaneously some mysterious events transpired inside Syria, too.

[Drew68]

Don’t believe a word of it .....

On the contrary. As an ordnanceman, something like this could only happen if several procedures were violated. This isn't just an "Oops, we loaded a nuke!" This happened precisely because of dereliction and complacency at many different levels just as the article stated.

[Army Air Corps]

I agree. “Accidental” my butt.

[Incorrigible]

Maybe we can accidentally carry some nukes over Iran?

[Drew68]

I doubt seriously the “physics package” was inserted in these. Those are heavily guarded and the 2-man rule applies when moving them.

IIRC, a previous article stated that these weapons did not have the arming devices needed for detonation. Still, the real fear is that the USAF could be so sloppy in their custody of nuclear weapons.

[roses of sharon]

Can you expand? What does the timing mean to you?

Thanks!

[Half Vast Conspiracy]

Don’t believe a word of it .....

Neither do I. Having it happen they way they describe is a near to impossible as you can get.

[Schwaeky]

dont u mean accidentally drop on Iran?

[Old Flat Toad]

Still not buyin’ it. Somebody’s diggin’ for something.

[Southack]

We sent a message.

Likewise, this week Israel told Syria that Damascus would cease to exist if Syria used chems or nukes.

...those two messages (one from us via the nuclear-armed B-52 and the other Israel’s statement to Syria) didn’t just happen in isolation.

Those were coordinated messages.

And you might take note that there are no protests on the Arab Street right now. Everyone is quiet because they *know* that Bush and Barak would nuke them.

We really would.

[NonValueAdded]

zinggggggggg!

[Incorrigible]

We really would.

I don't know Southack. I think I need one of your "all thest things Bush has done" replies to make me feel better about GW right now!

[Incorrigible]

Well, you know. Maybe one of the weapons not secured tight enough. Could happen....

[txroadkill]

Nothing really to see here, they were always in control of the US Air Force, it’s not likely that the pilot would have launched them over Arkansas just to see what would happen, and I’m pretty damn sure they was no chance of them landing at a 7-11 for gas and a slurpy where they could have been stolen while the flight crew was inside waiting for a burrito to heat up in the microwave.