Orlando, Fla. After visiting numerous missile bases and talking with many airmen in the wake of a widespread cheating scandal at Malmstrom AFB, Mont., Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James said she is convinced the overall nuclear enterprise is “safe and secure,” despite the “absolute failure of integrity” by those involved. “One test doesn’t make or break anything,” she said. The vast majority of airmen in nuclear career fields know their job and “are performing magnificently,” she said. James said she’ll be pushing a new program of integrity training for those airmen who “need to be reminded” of USAF core values. She also expects to get the results of multiple investigations, currently underway, in March, adding “people will be held accountable,” she said.
The Air Force's new Aircraft Readiness Unit will maintain and provide Collaborative Combat Aircraft for operations, but won’t serve as a “schoolhouse” teaching fighter pilots how to manage these escort drones.