ICBM Force Retakes Nuclear Proficiency Exam

Nearly all members of the ICBM force have retaken the nuclear proficiency exam, an Air Force Global Strike Command spokeswoman told the Daily Report. US Strategic Command boss Adm. Cecil Haney ordered the entire ICBM community to retake the test after an investigation revealed 34 missile launch officers assigned to the 341st Missile Wing at Malmstrom AFB, Mont., either cheated on a nuclear proficiency test or knew of the cheating and did nothing about it. Of the 472 officers who retook the test, 95.6 percent passed—a “pass-fail rate [that] is in line with historical averages,” said Rear Adm. John Kirby, Pentagon press secretary. The 21 officers who failed can retrain and retake the test at a later date, he said. Twenty-seven personnel are still on leave and will take the test when they return to duty, according to the AFGSC spokeswoman, who emphasized they were not involved in the cheating investigation. Those implicated have been suspended pending the results of an investigation and will not retest. Kirby said Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel was “deeply troubled” by the allegations and he will continue to monitor “the issue closely.” (See Pentagon briefing.) (See Cheating at Malmstrom.)(See also AFPS report)