The U.S. Air Force yesterday removed an officer from his post as missile wing commander at Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota following a string of weapons mishaps at the site, the Associated Press reported (see GSN, Aug. 19).
(Oct. 15) -
Col. Christopher Ayres was removed yesterday from his position leading the U.S. Air Force's 91st Missile Wing after a string of embarrassing incidents involving nuclear weapons overseen by the unit (U.S. Air Force photo).
Col. Christopher Ayres led the 91st Missile Wing, which manages 150 Minuteman 3 nuclear missiles deployed in silos around the state.
Ayres was not held directly responsible for any of the incidents, which included three missile personnel dozing off last year while in possession of ballistic missile launch codes (see GSN, July 15). In another incident, a truck turned over while carrying a Minuteman 3 ballistic missile rocket booster near the base. In addition, a Minot service member has been charged with taking a missile launch controller, reportedly as a memento (see GSN, Aug. 1, 2008).
"It comes down to performance and accountability. With nuclear weapons, our nation expects no less than perfection," said Air Force spokeswoman Laurie Arellano.
The former commander "will be moved to another position within the Air Force," Arellano said, providing no details.
Ayres is expected to be replaced by Col. Ferdinand Stoss, who previously served as vice commander of the 90th Missile Wing at Warren Air Force Base in Wyoming (James MacPherson, Associated Press/Yahoo!News, Oct. 14).