Nuclear Weapon Near Misses and Mistakes (continued)
Accidents or Mistakes with Nuclear Security
In the United States, various government groups oversee different aspects of nuclear weapons. The president is authorized to order their use, but other groups, including the Department of Energy and the Department of Defense, have a role in monitoring nuclear weapons. Even with layers of supervision, though, mistakes have occurred. Here are two examples of accidents related to nuclear weapon security:
1990: Repair mishap leads to missile release
In 1990, in Damascus, Arkansas, a nuclear missile required maintenance. However, when a crew entered the missile silo, a worker accidentally dropped part of a wrench, causing damage to the missile. Gas was released, which made it difficult for workers to access the silo to repair the problem. The gas leak caused the silo to open, and the nuclear warhead was ejected. Fortunately, it landed nearby, and safety features prevented detonation or release of radiation.
Logo for "Command and Control," a 2016 documentary about the Damascus nuclear incident.
2007: Where are the nuclear warheads?
A nuclear warhead needs a delivery system, often a missile, to reach its target. For security during storage, nuclear warheads are not always attached to their delivery systems and are supposed to be under close guard at all times. In 2007, six missiles armed with nuclear warheads were transported by plane from North Dakota to Louisiana by mistake. The missiles were scheduled to travel to Louisiana, but the warheads were supposed to be removed before transport. For 36 hours, no one realized that the transported missiles included the warheads and that the nuclear-armed missiles were not under the elevated security precautions required for these weapons. After the incident, senior U.S. Air Force officials were asked to resign and new controls were established to prevent dangerous nuclear security lapses.
Map showing the route of a nuclear warhead accidental transport.
Take Notes
Pages 7 and 8 describe three examples of incidents in which a nuclear risk was elevated because of misunderstanding at times of high tension or because of accidents and mistakes. In your opinion, which of these three incidents was the most dangerous? Explain your choice.
