Broken Arrows: an update

A Broken Arrow is the code phrase for any nuclear accident. Also a slightly far fetched but entertaining John Travolta movie.

www.democracynow.org...

Thirty-three years ago to the day, the United States narrowly missed a nuclear holocaust on its soil. The so-called "Damascus Accident" involved a Titan II intercontinental ballistic missile mishap at a launch complex outside Damascus, Arkansas. During a routine maintenance procedure, a young worker accidentally dropped a nine-pound tool in the silo, piercing the missile’s skin and causing a major leak of flammable rocket fuel. Sitting on top of that Titan 2 was the most powerful thermonuclear warhead ever deployed on an American missile. The weapon was about 600 times more powerful than the bomb that destroyed Hiroshima. For the next nine hours, a group of airmen put themselves at grave risk to save the missile and prevent a massive explosion that would’ve caused incalculable damage.

Needless to say, this book will cause all sorts of characters to come out of the woodwork and proclaim "Nothing to see here...move along...move along."

What is true is nuclear weapon handling has lost its prestige in the military. It is a dead end job because we aren't going to nuke anybody. Mind you, I still believe in MAD (mutual assured destruction), mostly because the theory stood the test of time. Even having a crappy nuke such as the PDRK has still keeps them from being attacked. But maintaining nukes isn't exactly attracting the best and brightest. This wiki is a refresher course on the most recent screw up:
en.wikipedia.org...

reply to post by gariac


I just read the wiki link. Seems like the government took the right steps in calling for the resignations of higher command and implementing new programs.

Still makes me nervous that fallible men from all parts of the world handle these non forgiving weapons.

reply to post by gariac

But maintaining nukes isn't exactly attracting the best and brightest.

This is quite true, a distressing eventuality that presents enormous challenges and ongoing danger.

The unfortunate truth is that every government position is filled with so-so candidates as they tend to be undemanding and reasonably obedient. This pattern accounts for the widespread ineptness of government and is supported by nepotism and straight forward corruption.

Just remember, anytime you see a state employee, they probably knows less about the task that they are responsible for than you do.

it would be interesting to see how many nukes have gone missing over the years as the internet is always saying nukes are missing or stolen .

geobro
it would be interesting to see how many nukes have gone missing over the years as the internet is always saying nukes are missing or stolen .

en.wikipedia.org...
and
abcnews.go.com...

The internet "missing nukes" are of the Soviet-era so-called suitcase variety. I don't think that story will ever be settled.