There have been many recent problems with the U.S. nuclear forces that have command of the United States nuclear arsenal. I have posted several times about some of the problems. More information keeps coming out all the time and I thought that it was time for a recap of problems since 2013.
In April of 2013, nineteen missile crew members of the 91st Missile Wing of Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota were found unfit to perform their duties. They were given remedial training and the officer in charge of training was fired.
Members of the 341st Missile Wing at Malmstrom Air Force Base, Montana failed an inspection for safety and security. They were unable to respond adequately to the simulated seizure of a missile silo by a mock hostile force. The officer in charge of security was relieved of his duty a few days later. The failing members successfully passed a second inspection after corrective measures to improve safety and security training are implemented.
Several different officers were punished in separate incidents where they opened blast doors while one of the two launch officers was asleep. According to regulations, the blast doors must be kept closed unless both launch officers are awake and on duty.
Three star Navy Admiral Timothy Giardina who was the second in command of the U.S. nuclear command was relieved of duty. He was caught passing counterfeit poker chips at a casino. He was also given a letter of reprimand and required to pay a four thousand dollar fine. He is allowed to continue to serve in the Navy as a staff officer.
A few days later, Major General Michael Carey was relieved of his command of the 20th Air Force which is responsible for the Minuteman 3 missile force. He attended a conference in Russia where he was often late for meetings, drunk and abrasive. There were also reports that he spent a lot of time drinking with "suspicious women" who might have been with Russian security agencies. Carey was allowed to continue as a staff officer at Air Force Space Command but will be retiring in June after being demoted in rank to brigadier general.
Three launch officers were investigated for drug abuse. In the investigation, widespread cheating on monthly certification exams is uncovered. Air Force missile launch officers are required to be recertified monthly to insure that they are clear on procedures. Dozens of missile officers at Malmstrom lose their certification because they are caught cheating on the monthly exams.
As I have said the past, the missile force are experiencing burnout because their job is "exhausting, unrewarding and stressful." They are expected to be on hyper alert day after day often dreading the possibility of being asked to launch their missiles. There are high levels of misconduct including spousal abuse, substance abuse in the missile force. The rate of court-martials is declining but is still much higher than the average rate in the Air Force.
