A “declining focus on the strategic nuclear bomber mission” was a significant factor in the errant transfer of nuclear weapons from Minot AFB, N.D. to Barksdale AFB, La., last August aboard a B-52, Lt. Gen. Daniel Darnell, deputy chief of staff for Air, Space, and Information Operations, Plans and Requirements, told the Senate Armed Services Committee yesterday. This is in addition to the unit-level leadership and discipline breakdowns, he said. The role of the strategic nuclear mission, particularly in dual-tasked aircraft units, had to compete for time, attention, and focus while the Air Force went into 17 years of continuous combat, Darnell said. Less time was allotted for training in nuclear procedures and experience levels declined. The Air Force has just completed its Blue Ribbon Review of its nuclear weapons procedures following the Bent Spear incident; look for more coverage here. (Written testimony)
Hawaii F-22s Wrap Up Deployment to Japan
April 9, 2021
F-22s and Airmen from Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, forward deployed to Japan for almost one month to train with Japanese and U.S. Marine Corps aircraft as part of a “dynamic force employment” operation. The Raptors from the Active-duty 19th Fighter Squadron and Air National Guard 199th Fighter Squadron deployed…