Gotta be a better way folks.
Nuclear Weapons and their delivery platforms have been placed in a stand-down since the end of the Cold War.
Bombers are not on nuclear alert status so they can be in the air within 30 minutes to strike the enemy. ICBMs are not targeted at anything specific. Tactical nuclear weapons are missing a critical part that prevents them from being used quickly.
The breakout crew and/or delivery crew cut corners by not identifying what the pulled out of the storage structure. They assumed what it was. This is possible because the weapons were probably tarped. Inert, conventional weapons are sometimes inside the same storage building on trailers. They just hooked up and pulled the wrong munitions trailer. If everyone in the WSA thought they had no nukes including the security personnel, who should have inspected the trailer, then they'll waltz out the WSA gate with what they are towing.
This has always been the possibility of this happening if the procedures are ignored ever since the AF has been in existence.
I've read that the recommendation to prevent this type of future mishap is to use radiation detectors.
I still don’t believe it was an accident.
It makes me laugh out loud that people like you who know very little about the operations of the US Air Force shhot off there mouths. These are the problems I find with your arguements. By the way I was a Neuclear Weapons Crew Chief on B57s, B47s, F100s F84s for almost 12 years.
1. Trainning Munitions in the USAF are painted Baby Blue in color. The entire item is baby blue not stripes but the whole thing.
2Live weapons are painted a very distinctive Silver color with sensitive areas painted yellow is area to be carefull with. Or years ago they were painted Olive Drab ( B47,B52 years )
3. The author is full of crapola. In that all USAF Munitions are under the total and Direct Control of Munitions Control via radio and via hand signed paperwork
4. In addition ther has been in existence the 2 man policy since 1953. The policy states that at no time will just 1 man be within 15 feet of a neuclear device. They have to be of the same knowledge level IE 2 guards at every aircraft of equal rank and knowledge
5. Too boot at no time is a Neuc weapon allowed to be moved without a security det assigned to the route and accompany the weapon from the Storage Facility to the aircraft and stay with the aircraft until the aircraft is airborne.
6. Tactical Neucs are not allowed to fly with neuc weapons until after War is declared by the POTUS. We kept them loaded in Europe but they could not taxi out or move without a second person on the entrance ladder of the aircraft of equal knowledge wit the Pilot. 10 Years in a certain US Allys country who shall remain un-listed.
7. The Tactical Weapon is live leaving the storage bunker and is always accompanied by a 2 man security det.
8. It is always some know nothing person who wants this changed or that changed and the only reason they want things changed is they do not know the system period.
It used to be common practice for bombers to ferry weapons all over the place and thats what I think really happened is some fool called a newspaper started printing half truths and this poster jumped on the band wagon.
9.Tactical / Strategic Weapons are both identical in that there is a huge tag on the trailer for the weapon stating the status of the weapon. But it is DOD Policy to never ever state whether or not a live weapon is in use. It is a great idea.
Learn before you post.
Thank you for that information. I was not aware that the bombers were taken off standby alert status. Wow, I’m behind the times.