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Nuclear Officers Napped With Blast Door Left Open

Lasrick writes "AP's Robert Burns reports that 'Air Force officers entrusted with the launch keys to long-range nuclear missiles have been caught twice this year leaving open a blast door that is intended to help prevent a terrorist or other intruder from entering their underground command post.' Why is that signifcant? At least one of the officers was napping at the time. Airforce officials said other violations like this have undoubtedly occurred and gone undetected. Yeesh. 'The blast door violations are another sign of trouble in the handling of the nation's nuclear arsenal. The AP has discovered a series of problems within the ICBM force, including a failed safety inspection, the temporary sidelining of launch officers deemed unfit for duty and the abrupt firing last week of the two-star general in charge. The problems, including low morale, underscore the challenges of keeping safe such a deadly force that is constantly on alert but is unlikely ever to be used.'"

9 of 238 comments (clear)

  1. Is anybody surprised? by fuzzyfuzzyfungus · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Hey there troops, listen up! It's your job to sit in this drab, overbuilt concrete coffin, sitting on your lazy asses like the cold war relics you are, until such a time as you are instructed to commit the greatest mass slaughter in human history. Any questions?

    1. Re: Is anybody surprised? by JWW · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Shall we play a game???

  2. Strange... by pla · · Score: 3, Insightful

    If you planned to take a nap on the job - Why the hell wouldn't you close the door? It at least makes getting caught a bit less likely.

  3. Re:Why hold them to higher standard? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful

    The term "Weapons of Mass Destruction" has lost most of its bite since they redefined it to make the Boston bombing sound more damaging than an average industrial accident.

  4. Re:In their defense by ColdWetDog · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Your other choices?

    Haliburton? Blackwater?

    Oracle?

    --
    Faster! Faster! Faster would be better!
  5. Re:The worst job on earth by khallow · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Arguably, US morale is the lowest it has been since the US Civil War:

    Anything is arguable. The post Vietnam War period was worse. You also had in addition your list, widespread drug use and widespread lack of discipline.

    Morale is extremely low. If this wasn't the case, there wouldn't be any Snowdens or Assanges.

    Neither had anything to do with the US military.

  6. Re:I can't decide... by capedgirardeau · · Score: 3, Insightful

    He also has the kill your colleague if they don't follow an order thing wrong.

    All those missiles can be controlled from another launch facility, so if one of the missileers doesn't want to turn their key, control of their silos is just assumed by another launch facility and their missiles are launched anyway.

    The sidearms were for defense of the facility, not to use on fellow officers is my understanding.

    --
    Wax on, wax off baby!
  7. Re:Why hold them to higher standard? by CanHasDIY · · Score: 3, Insightful

    So... basically what you're saying is, the people our government puts in charge of the most deadly, destructive arsenal ever known are, essentially, the worst of the worst and laziest of laziest?

    I wish I hadn't found that out.

    --
    An enigma, wrapped in a riddle, shrouded in bacon and cheese
  8. Re:In their defense by Jmc23 · · Score: 5, Insightful
    You do know that this shady government entity is populated by your fellow countrymen right?

    I always find it funny how people complain about the ineptitude of the government when it is a reflection of the society as a whole. You don't like it, do something about it. Or, you know, act like the people in your government act and just pass the buck while complaining. See, it works out perfectly.

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    Don't complain about syntax, grammar, or spelling. There is no.hell like input on android.