Air Force Officers Fell Asleep With Old Nuke Codes

We’re getting a clearer and clearer picture why Secretary Gates has been rolling heads in the Air Force.

Three Air Force officers fell asleep while in control of an electronic component that contained old launch codes for nuclear intercontinental ballistic missiles, a violation of procedure, Air Force officials said Thursday.

The Air Force said the launch codes had been deactivated before the incident, but it was still a violation of protocol, prompting an investigation.

It is the fourth incident in the past year involving problems with secure handling of components of America’s nuclear weapons.

1. I don’t see why this is a big problem.  Sure they probably shouldn’t have fallen asleep with the papers, but it’s not like a person can come off the street and steal them.
   I was stationed in at the Minot AFB and got to know some of the missle commanders.  It is one of the most boring job, except when they test you.  You just sit in a room, just the two of you.  No radio, TV- just some reading material.  You are in there for up to 3 days at a time and there is not much to do except stare at the walls.  After your time in the hole, then you get to ride in the truck back to base, sometimes up to 3 hours.  So, I can see why they fell asleep, but to me, it is no big deal.

   Posted by on July 25, 2008 at 0041 hrs