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Senator seeks review of nuke-handling policy

Just how the Air Force lost track of six nuclear cruise missiles is attracting the attention of lawmakers who want a Defense Department-wide review of the way nuclear weapons are handled.

Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-N.D., won approval Tuesday for an amendment requiring a review of policies and procedures for controlling custody of and securing U.S. nuclear weapons.

The vote comes just one week after nuclear warhead-equipped missiles were mounted on a B-52H bomber at Minot Air Force Base, N.D., and flown to Barksdale Air Force Base, La., without ground or aircrews realizing there were handling nuclear weapons.

“Clearly, last week, something went wrong with a system where there can be no mistakes,” Dorgan said in a press statement. “We need to understand exactly what mistakes were made and what changes are needed to ensure it cannot be repeated.”

Dorgan’s amendment requires a total review of Pentagon and Department of Energy activities to monitor and control all aspects of the nation’s nuclear weapons. It also requires that the review be completed within 90 days, and that a classified report be submitted to Congress.

The Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittee adopted the amendment Tuesday as it considered the fiscal 2008 Defense Appropriations bill.

“It is critical that every area of our government that has any chain of custody of nuclear weapons, at any time, have a top to bottom review of procedures, and an evaluation of the process of ensuring the chain of custody of nuclear weapons,” Dorgan said in a press statement.

An Air Force investigation led by a two-star general is already underway.