2007年美國空軍核武器事件發生於2007年8月29日至30日。美國空軍6枚裝配了W80-1可變當量核彈頭的AGM-129先進巡航導彈誤掛到一架將從北達科他州米諾特空軍基地(Minot Air Force Base)飛往路易斯安那州巴克斯代爾空軍基地(Barksdale Air Force Base)的B-52H重型轟炸機上。根據相關的安全守則,將導彈從彈藥庫取出之前就已應卸下這些核彈頭。36小時內,裝配了核彈頭的導彈脫離了種種核武器強制性的安保措施保護,更一直無人發現這批核彈頭失蹤。[1]
美國國防科學委員會(U.S. Defense Science Board)以及美國空軍的一個藍帶委員會(Blue-Ribbon Panel)的兩個獨立調查指出,過去國防部內部曾存在過對核武器處理操作程序的擔憂,但是並沒有發現核武器安全措施的任何漏洞,也沒有有記錄的操作失誤。這一事件作為誘因之一,最終導致美國空軍部長米高·溫(Michael Wynne)和空軍參謀長米高·莫斯利(T. Michael Moseley)於2008年6月5日雙雙辭職。為了加強核武器的管理控制,美國空軍於2008年10月宣佈將成立全球打擊司令部(Air Force Global Strike Command),專門管理美國空軍的所有戰略轟炸機、核武器和相關軍方人員。
Ricks, "Tough Punishment Expected for Warhead Errors", Baker, "Air Force Relieves Commanders Involved in Nuclear Weapons Incident," Air Force Link, "General Ronald E. Keys".
Warrick, "Missteps in the Bunker", USDoD, "DoD Press Briefing with Maj. Gen. Newton", Hoffman, "Wing decertified, COs sacked for nuke mistake", Pincus, "4 Colonels Lose Their Air Force Commands", Defense Science Board, "Report on Unauthorized Movement of Nuclear Weapons".
Pincus, "4 Colonels Lose Their Air Force Commands", Hoffman, "Wing decertified, COs sacked for nuke mistake", Warrick, "Missteps in the Bunker", USDoD, "DoD Press Briefing with Maj. Gen. Newton", Defense Science Board, "Report on Unauthorized Movement of Nuclear Weapons".
Warrick, "Missteps in the Bunker", Hoffman, "Wing decertified, COs sacked for nuke mistake", USDoD, "DoD Press Briefing with Maj. Gen. Newton", Pincus, "4 Colonels Lose Their Air Force Commands".
Dorfner, "After four decades, General Keys calls it a career", Gilmore, "Air Force Investigates Alleged Nuke Transfer, Pentagon Spokesman Says," Randolph, "Air Force releases B-52 munitions transfer investigation results", Warrick, "Missteps in the Bunker", USDoD, "DoD Press Briefing with Maj. Gen. Newton", USAF, "General Corley takes command of ACC", Hoffman, "Generals grilled on Minot nuclear mishap".
Holmes, "Minot bomb wing gets new commander Thursday", Hoffman, Michael, "Minot Nuke Handlers Still Not Ready For Inspection", Military Times, January 14, 2008.
Randolph, "Air Force releases B-52 munitions transfer investigation results", Hoffman, "Wing decertified, COs sacked for nuke mistake", "Baker, "Air Force Relieves Commanders Involved in Nuclear Weapons Incident," USDoD, "DoD Press Briefing with Maj. Gen. Newton", Pincus, "4 Colonels Lose Their Air Force Commands", Randolph, "Air Force releases B-52 munitions transfer investigation results".
Starr, "Air Force officers relieved of duty over loose nukes", USDoD, "DoD Press Briefing with Maj. Gen. Newton, Hoffman, Michael, "Minot Nuke Handlers Still Not Ready For Inspection", Military Times, January 14, 2008.
Pincus, "4 Colonels Lose Their Air Force Commands", USDoD, "DoD Press Briefing with Maj. Gen. Newton", Baker, "Air Force Relieves Commanders Involved in Nuclear Weapons Incident", Hoffman, "Wing decertified, COs sacked for nuke mistake", Hoffman, "Generals grilled on Minot nuclear mishap", Spiegel, "U.S. Nuclear Focus Has Dimmed, Studies Find".
Hoffman, Michael, "Minot Nuke Handlers Still Not Ready For Inspection", Military Times, January 14, 2008, MacPherson, "Minot chief sets bar high after nuke gaffe".