This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/americas/6980204.stm
The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 6 | Version 7 |
|---|---|
| US B-52 in nuclear cargo blunder | |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| The US Air Force has launched an investigation after a B-52 bomber flew across the US last week mistakenly loaded with nuclear-armed missiles. | The US Air Force has launched an investigation after a B-52 bomber flew across the US last week mistakenly loaded with nuclear-armed missiles. |
| It follows reports in the Army Times that five missiles were unaccounted for during the three-hour flight from North Dakota to Louisiana. | It follows reports in the Army Times that five missiles were unaccounted for during the three-hour flight from North Dakota to Louisiana. |
| The air force said the cruise missiles were safe at all times. | The air force said the cruise missiles were safe at all times. |
| Army Times said the missiles were to be decommissioned but were mistakenly mounted on the bomber's wings. | Army Times said the missiles were to be decommissioned but were mistakenly mounted on the bomber's wings. |
| The W80-1 warhead has a yield of five to 150 kilotons, the paper said. | The W80-1 warhead has a yield of five to 150 kilotons, the paper said. |
| 'Decertified' | 'Decertified' |
| The flight took place on 30 August, from the Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota to the Barksdale Air Force Base, near Bossier City, in Louisiana. | The flight took place on 30 August, from the Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota to the Barksdale Air Force Base, near Bossier City, in Louisiana. |
| Air force spokesman Lt Col Ed Thomas said although this was an "isolated incident", Air Combat Command had directed a "command-wide stand down to review process at all of our bases". | |
| Col Thomas said a general had been appointed to investigate the incident and would report by 14 September. | Col Thomas said a general had been appointed to investigate the incident and would report by 14 September. |
| "At no time was there a threat to public safety. It is important to note that munitions were safe, secure and under military control at all times," Col Thomas said. | "At no time was there a threat to public safety. It is important to note that munitions were safe, secure and under military control at all times," Col Thomas said. |
| "The air force takes its mission to safeguard weapons seriously. No effort will be spared to ensure that the matter is thoroughly and completely investigated." | "The air force takes its mission to safeguard weapons seriously. No effort will be spared to ensure that the matter is thoroughly and completely investigated." |
| Army Times quoted the colonel as saying the loading crew involved had been temporarily "decertified" pending retraining and the investigation. | Army Times quoted the colonel as saying the loading crew involved had been temporarily "decertified" pending retraining and the investigation. |
| A military official told AFP news agency that President George W Bush had been informed of the mix-up. | A military official told AFP news agency that President George W Bush had been informed of the mix-up. |
| "There are procedures in place and they kicked in and worked," the official said. | "There are procedures in place and they kicked in and worked," the official said. |
| The BBC's Adam Brookes in Washington says experts have made it clear that if the plane had crashed there would not have been a nuclear explosion but there could have been a threat from plutonium leakage. | The BBC's Adam Brookes in Washington says experts have made it clear that if the plane had crashed there would not have been a nuclear explosion but there could have been a threat from plutonium leakage. |