Not sure if this is related, but it seems America’s nuclear weapons forces are experiencing huge problems at the moment.
In May, an Air Force commander temporarily stripped 17 officers of their authority to control and launch nuclear-armed Minuteman III missiles after he found their performance lacking during a recent inspection. Air Force nuclear commander Lt. Col. Randy Olson was also relieved of duty.
"The news comes five years after the Air Force refocused on attention to details for its nuclear mission following a series of missteps involving the handling of nuclear weapons under their care. In one case a B-52 bomber crew flew a mission over several Midwestern states while unknowing carrying nuclear-armed cruise missiles."
http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/20 ... s-revoked/
On August 13 it was reported that the 341st Missile Wing at Malmstrom Air Force Base in Montana has failed a safety and security inspection over a number of “tactical level errors.”
In the May case, the 91st got a “marginal” rating, the second lowest possible in such inspections. Today’s report says the 341st got an “unsatisfactory” rating, the lowest of all.
Despite the miserable failure during the inspection, officials say that the wing will main certified to conduct nuclear operations.
http://edition.cnn.com/2013/08/13/polit ... ?hpt=hp_t2
On August 25, 2013 the US Air Force has announced that it is removing Col. David Lynch from his position as commander of nuclear weapon forces at Malmstrom Air Force Base in Montanta, citing “loss of confidence.”
They say it is not the result of the failed inspection first reported by The Associated Press on Aug. 13.
http://www.foxnews.com/us/2013/08/25/mi ... z2eOfpb2bc