Nuclear Weapons 95 - More Firings and Disciplinary Action in the U.S. Nuclear Missile Forces
I have posted about problems in the United States nuclear missile forces in the past. In the last few years, the commander of U.S. nuclear missile forces was fired because of unacceptable drunken behavior at a conference in Russia, a second in command was demoted because he was passing counterfeit poker chips at a casino, missile control officers were punished for cheating on monthly exams intended to demonstrate their understanding of their duties and drug use was discovered among the personnel at the nuclear missile bases. In addition, there have been widespread morale problems and deteriorating facilities at U.S. nuclear missile bases for years. It was very disturbing for me to discover just bad it had gotten for our nuclear missile forces. Now more problems have just surfaced.
Col. Carl Jones, the Number Two commander of the 90th Missile Wing at F.E. Warren Air Force Base in Wyoming was just dismissed "for a loss of trust and confidence in his leadership abilities." He has been reassigned to a position as special assistant to the wing commander. An internal investigation confirmed that he had been guilty of conduct unbecoming an officer and a gentleman, and cruelty and maltreatment of a subordinate. "In four separate instances, Jones acted in a manner that degraded his status as a senior officer and wing leader including maltreating a subordinate."
Lt. Col. Jimmy "Keith" Brown was just relieved of command of his missile squadron last Monday "because of a loss of confidence in Brown's ability to lead his squadron." The investigation of Brown "substantiated that Brown engaged in unlawful discrimination or harassment." The investigation also found that Brown "made statements to subordinates that created a perception within his squadron that pregnancy would negatively affect a woman's career." In addition, it was found that Brown had "failed to ensure the well-being of his troops."
In March, two of Brown's troops were operating a launch control center at the Minot missile base when they felt ill because a refurbishment project released fumes into the control center. The two crewmen remained at their posts because they were afraid that Brown would have taken action against them if they left the control rooms. They were eventually taken to the hospital.
Col. Richard Pagliuco, commander of the 91st Operations Group which has authority over three missiles squadrons at the Minor base, was also a target of the investigation at Minot. It was determined that Pagliuco "failed to promote and safeguard the morale, well-being and welfare of the airmen under his command." The admitted administrative punishment for Pagliuco consisted of a letter added to his personnel file. The investigators would not share any more detailed account of punishment that Pagliuco might have received.
As I have said in past posts, service in the missile forces is not viewed as "plum" assignment. The missile bases are located in remote areas of Montana, Wyoming and North Dakota. The duty is demanding and tedious. If they are ever called on to launch the missiles, they know that they would be contributing to the end of human civilization. Bored to death, they fear ever being called on to execute their duty. Total nuclear disarmament must be pursued as vigorously as possible as threat to the future of the human race.
U.S. Minuteman nuclear missile sites:
