The U.S. Air Force plans to transfer a squadron of B-52 strategic bombers to Minot Air Force Base, N.D., where a major security lapse last year led new base commanders to revitalize nuclear-weapon handling procedures, the Minot Daily News reported today (see GSN, Aug. 18).
The new unit would add 10 bombers to the existing fleet of 12 at the air base; they would begin arriving no earlier than late 2009, pending a final environmental review. Following the transfer, the Air Force would have four B-52 squadrons (Eloise Ogden, Minot Daily News, Nov. 21).
The aircraft would be transferred from Barksdale Air Force Base, La., where two squadrons would remain after the shift, said Minot spokeswoman Sgt. Marelise Wood (Greg Webb, Global Security Newswire, Nov. 21).