Nuclear launch card was missing 'for months,' new book says

[Cms.sloane]

I think its kind of funny how long ago this happened and its now just coming out after to presidencies.




http://www.cnn.com/2010/POLITICS/10/21/shelton.clinton.nuclear.codes/index.html?iref=allsearch

[a2capt]

Sensationalism sells.

[Major Lord]

I guess some people forget where they leave their pants more often than others....

Major Lord

[JeffDG]

I guess some people forget where they leave their pants more often than others....

Major Lord

Especially those who remove their pants more frequently than others.

[MSG Mac]

When the Air Force took lost their nukes, they fired the Command Staff. How do you discipline a President??

[NCRblues]

When the Air Force took lost their nukes, they fired the Command Staff. How do you discipline a President??

Are you speaking of the Minot incident? And if you are than, they fired to command staff because it was found in the follow up NSI inspection that the wing king, SF commander, and MSG commander had not been out to the WSA (weapons storage area) in something like 9 months. (that is unheard of in the nuke world, if you don't know) It got so bad out in the WSA, that the way they were telling actual weapons from trainers or mock ups, was sticky notes.... So...BIG mess up on many many levels....

[GTCommando]

It got so bad out in the WSA, that the way they were telling actual weapons from trainers or mock ups, was sticky notes....

WOW...

[DakRadz]

It got so bad out in the WSA, that the way they were telling actual weapons from trainers or mock ups, was sticky notes....

WOW...

Anyone remember the JAG episode when they "lost" a nuke on a submarine because their hanging sign saying "tube full" was prematurely reversed to "tube empty"? Ended up in the bottom of the waters of Norfolk or thereabouts... Deja vu?

[SarDragon]

Out in the field, it was relatively easy to distinguish the training devices from the war shot - the dirty ones were the trainers, because they got handled all the time. The war shot stayed pretty.

[Flying Pig]

Pretty, shinny and chromed if I do recall.  Yeah, the Minot incident was pretty bad.  As a Marine I was part of the PRP.  It was an everyday, non-stop, zero defect mentality where I was.  Procedures were followed so unbelievably to the letter it was almost humorous sometimes but we did what we did.  I cant imagine how trainers even managed to be in the same area as a real one.   Although, the trainers seemed to be guarded just like the real ones.

[GTCommando]

Although, the trainers seemed to be guarded just like the real ones.

That's so that unwanted guests can't tell the difference. 

[DakRadz]

Although, the trainers seemed to be guarded just like the real ones.

That's so that unwanted guests can't tell the difference. 

I find this to be a rather valid point, though I'm sure there are others. Very astute.

[Flying Pig]

Oh, You could tell the difference.  They were guarded because the trainers were the real ones minus the warhead essentially.  The EOD guys used to tinker with them the most from what I recall.  Dont worry CAPTalkers.....we havnt violated any OPSEC.

[NCRblues]

Pretty, shinny and chromed if I do recall.  Yeah, the Minot incident was pretty bad.  As a Marine I was part of the PRP.  It was an everyday, non-stop, zero defect mentality where I was.  Procedures were followed so unbelievably to the letter it was almost humorous sometimes but we did what we did.  I cant imagine how trainers even managed to be in the same area as a real one.   Although, the trainers seemed to be guarded just like the real ones.

When we were being given the In-briefing before the NSI inspection kicked off and they were telling us about what had occurred up at Minot it blew our minds. Like you said, we followed procedures and regs to the letter... and if we didn't know one or understand, our commander was on the phone with A.C.C. or 8th AF.

Yes the real and fake are guarded just the same for many reasons... and the trainers are (supposed) to be treated the same as the real world ones but... as we all seen....

Don't you miss your prp status?? <massive amounts of sarcasim>

[Flying Pig]

It was interesting.  You could only see certain doctors, had a big red stop sign in your service record book and your medical records, and every 6 months you get asked if you have any moral objections toward your assignment along with regular pee tests.  Not a bad way to start as military adventure at 18!

[SarDragon]

Pretty, shinny and chromed if I do recall. Yeah, the Minot incident was pretty bad.  As a Marine I was part of the PRP.  It was an everyday, non-stop, zero defect mentality where I was.  Procedures were followed so unbelievably to the letter it was almost humorous sometimes but we did what we did.  I cant imagine how trainers even managed to be in the same area as a real one.   Although, the trainers seemed to be guarded just like the real ones.

Well, that depended on the specific model. Some were unpainted and shiny, giving rise to the nickname, "Silver Bullets". Others were painted white, and the difference between trainer and war shot was more noticeable.

In my short experience, security measures were exactly identical for either type.

When I saw this pic in Newsweek some years ago, i was absolutely amazed. It's a B-61.



Here's a white B-57.

[Майор Хаткевич]

Those look...small...

[NCRblues]

Yes, they are not large like people are lead to believe... and those B-57's were all taken out of rotation (at least at whiteman) and no I'm not violating opsec 

[Flying Pig]

Yup.  The silver bullet.  Thats them.  I recall it like yesterday.  Being a 19 yr old Marine LCpl seeing one for the first time was pretty awe inspiring.  Not to mention standing an arms distance from them with a variety of heavy caliber weapons thinking, "Wow....Im actually the guy guarding this thing."  The photo is a little deceiving.  They arent really BIG, but they arent small either.  They are about 2ft x 12ft ish and weigh about 900lbs.  I mean, your not going to put one in the back of your pick up thats for sure.  The B61 yeilded about 200 Kilotons.  The bomb dropped on Nagasaki was 18 Kilotons and weighed 8000lbs more than a B61.

When I was stationed at a Weapons Station, an article came out describing everything that was stored there.  Some Navy Lt had become disgruntled and laid it all out to the paper.  Not sure what ever happened to him.   I wonder if thats the article your talking about?

My 8 years in the infantry definitely makes me the odd guy at parties whos full of useless trivia!

[SarDragon]

Those look...small...

14-ish inches in diameter, and 11-ish feet long. I have another pic I can't get to right now that has two B61 training shapes on their special cart, in front of a BONE.

Everything you wanted to know here.