Nine Air Force commanders lost their jobs in the wake of a cheating scandal involving systemic cheating on tests by officers in the U.S. nuclear missile program, officials from that military branch said Thursday. The fired officers were in "leadership positions" at Malmstrom Air Force Base in Montana, Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James said. Though not directly involved in cheating, "they failed to provide adequate oversight of their crew force," according to James. In addition, Col. Robert Stanley -- head of the 341st Missile Wing and a 25-year veteran -- "relinquished command" and submitted his resignation Thursday morning, said Lt. Gen. Stephen Wilson, the commander of the Air Force's Global Strike Command.
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The head of the 341st Missile Wing "relinquished command," asked to retire
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"Leadership's focus on perfection led commanders to micromanage," official says
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The cheating on an exam for missile launch officers was between 2011 and 2013
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Air Force leader: Though they didn't cheat, commanders didn't provide adequate oversight
About 190 officers oversee the readiness of nuclear weapons systems at the @placeholder base, meaning the episode tainted a large percentage of that force in some way.