TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Nuke Mistake Costs Generals

ADVERTISEMENT

The Associated Press

Published: September 25, 2008

WASHINGTON - Eight generals, ranging in rank from one to three stars, have been disciplined as a result of the mistaken shipment of fuses for nuclear warheads to Taiwan, The Associated Press has learned.
Defense officials said Wednesday that the six Air Force and two Army generals were given disciplinary letters that vary in seriousness but can often end careers or hopes of promotion.

The officers are mainly in logistical jobs and were involved to some degree in the mistaken shipment to Taiwan of four electrical fuses for ballistic missile nuclear warheads in 2006.

The error did not come to light until this past March.

The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because the actions are not being announced until today.

According to officials, at least one Air Force general received a letter of reprimand, which is a more serious rebuke, while others got less severe letters of admonishment or counseling.

The two Army brigadier generals, who worked at the Defense Logistics Agency in Virginia, received what are called "memorandums of concern," also a lower level of punishment. Nine lower ranking Air Force officers were disciplined.

In June, Defense Secretary Robert Gates fired Gen. Michael Moseley, then Air Force chief of staff, and Air Force Secretary Michael Wynne, blaming them for failing to fully address several nuclear-related missteps, including the mistaken shipment.

Gates acted after an internal report on the shipping incident found "a decline in the Air Force's nuclear mission focus and performance" and failure by Air Force leaders to respond effectively.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT