The Air Force has discharged the three officers who fell asleep on July 12, 2008, when they were supposed to be watching classified launch code devices at a missile alert facility operated by the 91st Missile Wing at Minot AFB, N.D., according to news reports. The Air Force revealed the incident last year and subsequently decertified the captain and two lieutenants from performing missile operations. An investigation determined that the launch codes were outdated, so there was not a security compromise. However, the incident was one of a string of nuclear weapons related problems that ultimately led to the firing of the former Air Force Secretary and Chief of Staff. The Associated Press reports that Air Force Secretary Michael Donley gave the order for their discharge from the service, which took place July 9.
The Space Force should take bold, decisive steps—and soon—to develop the capabilities and architecture needed to support more flexible, dynamic operations in orbit and counter Chinese aggression and technological progress, according to a new report from AFA’s Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies.
