Nuclear Policy Changes Could Impact Base

Minot Air Force Base handles nuclear weapons. Lots of them. Both the 91st Missile Wing and 5th ...  More »

Minot Air Force Base handles nuclear weapons. Lots of them. Both the 91st Missile Wing and 5th Bomb Wing are in charge of nukes, either land-based, or air-based. Now, the Air Force is considering a new command to be in charge of all nuclear weapons in the Air Force. Jim Olson sat down with the commander of the Minot Air Force Base to talk about nuclear weapons safety, and a possible new squadron at the base. (Col. Joel Westa, MAFB Commander) When I got here almost a year ago in November we were under inspections about every month. (Jim Olson, KX News) Colonel Joel Westa came to Minot Air Force Base with one mission - the security and safety of the base's nuclear weapons. (Col. Joel Westa, MAFB Commander) We are solely focused on it and that is our number one priority and we focus on it daily. (Jim Olson, KX News) And inspectors have now agreed that the 5th Bomb Wing is certified to do its nuclear mission again. It's a certification lost a year ago after six nuclear missiles were accidentally loaded onto a B-52 bomber and flown to Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana. Colonel Westa says 12 different panels have examined what happened and recommended changes - many of which have already been implemented. (Col. Joel Westa, MAFB Commander) One of the changes that came out of the incident was the importance of no-notice inspections and the importance of insuring we are constantly ready. So we are on tap right now, a plane could come out of the sky tomorrow with an inspection team on it. I think it's a great thing. We should always be ready to do our mission. (Jim Olson, KX News) Last week, Defense Secretary Robert Gates said a recommendation from a commission called the Schlesinger Panel recommended all nnuclear weapons in the Air Force - from bomber-based to land-based - be under the control of a new command would be considered. Colonel Westa says he has no inside knowledge of what might become of that recommendation, but he says the Air Force is completely committed to avoiding any similar incidents - and keeping nuclear weapons completely secure. (Col. Joel Westa, MAFB Commander) Our focus is solely on our nuclear derrent mission, the safe, secure, reliable stockpile and our ability to execute it, maintain it, whatever that mission may entail, it's all wrapped up into that and we are focused solely on that. (Jim Olson, KX News) And if the Air Force decides to create a new command to oversee nuclear weapons, Colonel Westa says it could easily mean more personnel for the Minot base. At Minot Air Force Base, Jim Olson, KX News. Colonel Westa says a contingent of men and bombers will be off to Guam from Minot Air Force Base next month as part of the base's part in keeping a forward-operating force in the Pacific Ocean.  « Less