Senior leaders held accountable for nuclear enterprise missteps

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  • By Air Force Print News
WASHINGTON --  Air Force leaders released details today about administrative actions being taken against 15 officers in connection with deficiencies outlined in a report reviewing elements of the service's nuclear enterprise.

"The Air Force has no more solemn obligation than the security and reliability of the nation's nuclear arsenal," Air Force Chief of Staff General Norton A. Schwartz said. "Commanders are accountable for all aspects of their commands, as are general officers for their functional responsibilities."

The Secretary of Defense charged Navy Adm. Kirkland H. Donald's with conducting a comprehensive review of the Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) force following the mistaken shipment of four ICBM nose-cone fuse assemblies to Taiwan in August 2006.

The Air Force, in accordance with policy and precedence for Department of Defense-level inquiries, decided to release the names of the six general officers held responsible in the outcome of the investigation. They are:

- Lt. Gen. Kevin J. Sullivan
- Lt. Gen. Michael A. Hamel
- Maj. Gen. Roger W. Burg
- Maj. Gen. Kathleen D. Close
- Brig. Gen. Francis M. Bruno
- Brig. Gen. Arthur B. Cameron III

"We recognize the years of dedicated service these officers have given, but we cannot ignore the breaches of trust that have occurred on their watch," said Acting Secretary of the Air Force Michael B. Donley.

The Air Force previously did not release the names of the general officers to allow each individual the opportunity to comment or provide any additional, clarifying information before the actions were finalized, and to respect the officers' privacy while matters were under review.

The service of select officers involved in the Donald Report will be retained in the Air Force because they "are important to our ongoing efforts to revitalize the nuclear enterprise, and because their ability to serve effectively has not been compromised," Secretary Donley said. "It is appropriate for these officers to continue to serve in leadership positions."

Further, it is the mark of a healthy organization that, with suggestions from a trusted source, can examine and police itself internally, Secretary Donley added.

The acting secretary and chief of staff also have taken administrative actions against nine colonels as part of the Air Force's review of Admiral Donald's report.

Air Force leaders carefully considered each officer's record as well as the Air Force's need to retain the expertise necessary to assist its ongoing efforts to continue to provide a safe, secure, reliable and capable nuclear deterrent force.

"These officers are good people with otherwise distinguished careers spent in faithful service to our country," General Schwartz said. "They are not accused of intentional wrongdoing, but they did not do enough to carry out their leadership responsibilities for nuclear oversight. For that, they must be held accountable."

The Air Force is dedicated to rebuilding confidence in the service's nuclear mission and looks to move forward from the Donald Report, Secretary Donley said.

"In addition to the Donald Report, we will use recent recommendations from the Air Force Nuclear Task Force and the Secretary of Defense's Task Force on Nuclear Weapons Management to develop a roadmap for our nuclear enterprise," Secretary Donley said. "We will announce the details of this nuclear roadmap in the next few weeks."