On top of failed inspections, US nuclear force now hit with alleged top-level misbehavior

Published October 12, 2013

| Associated Press


Together the missteps spell trouble for a nuclear force now compelled to explain how firing key commanders this week should not shake public confidence.

The Air Force on Friday fired Maj. Gen. Michael Carey, who was in charge of its nuclear missiles. Two days earlier the Navy sacked Vice Adm. Tim Giardina (jee-ahr-DEEN'-uh), the second-in-command at U.S. Strategic Command. That's the command that writes the military's nuclear war plans and would transmit launch orders in a nuclear war.

The nation's most senior nuclear commander, Air Force Gen. Robert Kehler, tells The Associated Press that despite the bad behavior, the nuclear force is stable.