An Air Force nuclear missile wing received an “unsatisfactory” rating after making “tactical-level” errors during one of several exercises, the service said yesterday in a statement.
The Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC) visited Malmstrom AFB, Mont., recently to evaluate the 341st Missile Wing’s ability to execute operations while complying with nuclear surety standards. The failure resulted in the entire inspection being graded as “unsatisfactory.”
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| 341st Missile Wing shield. Photo: Air Force. |
A failed inspection does not mean the safety of the nation’s nuclear arsenal is at risk, AFGSC chief Lt. Gen. Jim Kowalski said in a statement.
“These inspections are designed to be tough to pass,” Kowalski said. “A failure doesn’t mean the wing isn’t able to accomplish its mission.”
Nuclear surety inspections are extremely demanding, ensuring the highest standards of compliance and accountability.
Malmstrom is one of three Air Force bases that maintains and operates the Minuteman III ICBM, which is developed by Northrop Grumman [NOC].