USAF Strips 17 Officers of Nuclear Launch Authority

Freshly Exhumed writes "In an unprecedented action, a United States Air Force commander has stripped 17 of his officers of their authority to control and launch nuclear missiles. After a string of failings that the group's deputy commander said stemmed from 'rot' within the ranks, the suspensions followed a March inspection of the 91st Missile Wing at Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, that resulted in a 'D' grade for the team tested on its mastery of the Minuteman III missile launch operations system. The 17 are being assigned to intensive retraining courses of 60 to 90 days, according to Lt. Col. John Dorrian, an Air Force spokesman."

Comments

Re:Take them out of the loop

[erotic_pie]

I think they made a movie about this, it didn't end well.

Re:Take them out of the loop

[fuzzyfuzzyfungus]

Perhaps we could build a huge supercomputer called "Colossus" to take control. I hear Dr. Forbin is a sharp guy, he could be project lead...

Re:Not a new problem

[fuzzyfuzzyfungus]

I think these are the same units who allowed a nuclear bomb to be shipped accidentally from ND to ??Mississippi?? a few years ago.

I, for one, shudder to think of Mississippi as a nuclear power...

Re:Take them out of the loop

[bruce_the_loon]

and replace them all with electronics.

Cyberdyne Systems Command and Control System Model Skynet 1.0.0 approves of this message.

Re:Always the same

[Obfuscant]

The USAF is, as you say, the gold standard. Civilian nuclear power is considerably less motivated and less well funded, with less oversight.

You're right. I'm all for removing nuclear launch authority from the operators of civilian nuclear power plants.