What happened here is that they thought they were moving AGM-129's that had their nuclear warheads removed because the missiles were going to be demil'd for retirement.
By the way I was a Neuclear Weapons Crew Chief on B57s, B47s, F100s F84s for almost 12 years.
A 462 load-toad or an aircraft crew?
1. Trainning Munitions in the USAF are painted Baby Blue in color. The entire item is baby blue not stripes but the whole thing.
Not totally true. BDU-38's are painted white, and the B-57's I'd seen where of a similar color. B-61 trainers or mock-ups look exactly like the real thing silver metallic finish.
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 )
The color yellow indicates the presence of high explosives. The change in color from olive drab probably was because conventional general purpose bombs (Mk-82s ect.) are painted in olive-drab. Although, low-observable ALCM's are painted in subdued colors like olive-drab, if not olive-drab.
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
I've been a Munitions Controller who has worked in Munitions Control. Their information is only as good as the information they receive. If they get crap info from guys, working in the field, then their info is not worth spit.
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
Yes, I'm sure that the no-lone zone was being observed here if they were in the presence of nukes. However, the case being here, is that the munitions trailer they thought they hooked up to was loaded with AGM-129s that had their nuclear warhead removed.
It's very possible that the 463's mixed-in trailerized AGM-129's with intacted nuclear warheads with the ones that had their nuclear W/Hs removed and stored them inside the same storage facility. Obviously, the security is not the same with conventional weapons as with nukes or AGMs that have no nuke W/H. This incident was unexpected. Everyone thought they were towing AGMs without nuke W/H, and especially when they cleared the Weapons Storage Area (WSA) without security escort and all the circus that it entails. And without the announcement of a "special movement." Of course everyone assumed that they were not hauling any nukes.
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.
See answer above to your # 4.
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.
And do an elephant walk later... without the nuke...of course.
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.
Usually for expediency.
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.
Sir, I gave a plausible explanation to what might of happened. Many believe that this whole thing is a ruse so to send a message to potential enemies.
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.
As I recall, the leak came from the Pentagon.
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.
I don't recall this practice. We worked in different eras.
9. ...But it is DOD Policy to never ever state whether or not a live weapon is in use. It is a great idea.
Especially if they are stored in another country. They do not want to see them protesters at the gates!
Learn before you post.
The post reflects my experiences from the munitions career field.
Now, we all know that the Wind Force is a haven for eff-ups, goldbrickers, and chair warriors, but surely even the Junior Birdmen have similar arrangements concerning the Stuff That Glows!
Sorry, but I just can't accept that anything accidental could happen to a live nuclear weapon. I still think it was a subtle hint to certain foreign powers that we haven't forgotten how to bang the atoms together if we have to.