Air Force nuclear officers left blast door open

Published October 22, 2013 4:00am ET



WASHINGTON (AP) — Air Force officials tell The Associated Press that twice this year, officers entrusted with the launch keys to nuclear-tipped missiles have been caught leaving open a blast door. That door is intended to help prevent a terrorist or other intruder from entering the officers’ underground command post and potentially compromising secret launch codes.

Transgressions such as this are rarely revealed publicly. But officials say they have happened, undetected, many more times than in the cases of the four officers who were given administrative punishments this year.

Already a print subscriber? Click here to login/register your account

Trusted reporting.Unlimited access.

Subscribe for full access to Washington Examiner coverage, expert political analysis, and subscriber-only journalism.

Get Unlimited Access

Already a member? Log in

Cancel anytime.