Editorial: Beyond nuke checklists

Editorial: Beyond nuke checklists

Col. Joel Westa, the new commander of the 5th Bomb Wing at Minot Air Force Base, N.D., is in charge of fixing the problems that led to one of the most embarrassing episodes in Air Force history.

In August, the unit lost track of six nuclear-armed Advanced Cruise Missiles. The missiles, thought to be carrying dummy warheads, were flown on a B-52 to Barksdale Air Force Base, La.

In a remarkably candid interview this week, Westa acknowledged the severity of the screw-up, which cost the unit its certification for the nuclear mission, and said he knows he is expected to whip things into shape quickly.

He also said something that gets to the heart of the matter: “I’ve been ... looking at all the airmen right in the eye and seeing how ready they are to do the job.”

The big test comes in January, when the unit goes through a nuclear surety inspection by the Defense Threat Reduction Agency.

Because the eyes of the world are upon everyone connected with this incident, that inspection is likely to be the most rigorous these airmen have ever faced.


Rest of article at: http://www.airforcetimes.com/community/opinion/airforce_editorial_nukechecklists_071119/