The Air Force notifies Defense Secretary Robert Gates about the mistaken transport of six nuclear-equipped cruise missiles from Minot AFB, N.D., to Barksdale AFB, La., aboard a Barksdale B-52 bomber. The Air Force began immediate investigations and, at an unprecedented news briefing on Oct. 19, acknowledged publicly that the Incident Involved nuclear weapons, terming it a Bent Spear.
Navy Adm. Samuel J. Paparo Jr. assumed leadership of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, succeeding Navy Adm. John Aquilino at a change of command ceremony, urging action amid China's “increasing intrusive and expansionist claims,” on May 3