US Air Force to set up new Global Strike Command for nuclear weapons

The US Air Force (USAF) is set to create a new Global Strike Command for its nuclear weapons as part of moves to re-organise its nuclear weapons command after some recent embarrassments.

The move comes after revelations that six nuclear weapons were mistakenly flown across the US and that nuclear missile fuses were sent unknowingly to Taiwan. The mishaps culminated in the sacking of two of USAF's most senior officials.

The Pentagon said that the new command will be headed by a three-star general. "This is a critical milestone for us. It's a new starting point for reinvigoration of this enterprise," said Air Force secretary Michael Donley.

"It is an extremely important mission for the United States Air Force."

In June this year, defence secretary Robert Gates moved firmly to sack both Gen T Michael Moseley, USAF chief of staff, and air force secretary Michael Wynne after a report revealed that the security of US nuclear weapons and parts had been jeopardized.

In the first incident, which occurred in 2006, electrical fuses for ballistic missiles were mistakenly sent from a US base in Wyoming to Taiwan in place of helicopter batteries. The B-52 crew were unaware of the nature of their cargo.

In another incident, a B-52 bomber mistakenly armed with six nuclear-tipped cruise missiles flew across the country. Once again none of the crew onboard was aware of the lethal package being ferried by them.

According to officials, the new Global Strike Command will be established by September 2009 and all nuclear-capable B-52 and B-2 bombers, as well as intercontinental ballistic missiles, will shift from their current locations in Virginia and Colorado to the new command.

It is not clear where the new command will be located, or the costs involved in the reorganisation process.