12/6/2011 - BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. (AFNS) -- A small, replaceable component of a Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile was damaged Nov. 17 while maintenance technicians at Minot Air Force Base, N.D., conducted routine maintenance. Airmen reported the damage immediately to proper authorities in accordance with standard procedures.
The component was not installed on a missile at the time of the incident.
No personnel were injured, and emergency response personnel determined there was no threat to public health or safety, officials said. The event had very minimal impact on daily operations and no impact to Air Force Global Strike Command readiness or ability to defend the nation.
The incident warranted a report to the chain of command due to the Air Force's continued exacting focus, attention to detail, discipline and adherence to the highest standards for all activities surrounding nuclear-capable weapons systems, the officials said.
A safety investigation team is currently performing a routine investigation of the incident.
Comments
12/8/2011 12:18:18 PM ET To Jay Stayton, most likely the WSA since the Minot Daily News reported the event as having taken place at a maintainence bay off the base and not at a launch facility. Maybe they went to Jiffy Lube or MAACO.
Repair Man, Pentagon
12/7/2011 4:00:53 PM ET So did this happen in the missile complex or at the WSA? I am really curious to know what component we are talking about here.
J. Stayton, CO
12/7/2011 1:43:56 PM ET The incident didn't warrant a report due to continued exacting focus, attention to detail, discipline and adherence to the highest standards. It warranted a report because one of those things was not done. Regardless, this is not news.
Maj, SWA
12/7/2011 12:41:54 PM ET AFGSC - winner of the Gen Creech Maintenance Excellence Award for 2011. I think if a mnx troop in the field incorrectly broke wind while working in the silo, PA would launch a pre-emptive news release. Have we become so gunshy? There are other reporting means for those sorts of incidents and they do not warrant national attention. Much ado about nothing.
I Miss SAC, Colo Spgs
12/7/2011 9:19:38 AM ET Ozzy: You don't have to apologize for not understanding somethin. It's perfectly ok. Just like your car, ICBMs have maintenance performed on components that are not physically attached to the ICBM. The mechanic removes your tire to repair it, right? There are numerous maintenance procedures that apply to non-installed components...far too many to mention here. Trust me on this one or Google it.Greg, I agree. This is definitely not news worthy.
Old ICBM Maintainer, Washington DC
12/7/2011 5:58:17 AM ET Stories like this hurt the great progress our ICBM team is making. Replaceable components do get broken for many different reasons, so why is this a story? Begs too many questions ...
lsls, VA
12/6/2011 4:44:24 PM ET In answer to the above: This probably happened in what we used to call RV Van..Go missile Maintenace Teams or Muscle Maintenance
Vince Wolski, Clearfield Ut
12/6/2011 3:07:05 PM ET How is this news?
Greg Arious, SWA
12/5/2011 9:35:20 PM ET SORRY I DONT UNDERSTAND SOMETHING while maintenance technicians at Minot Air Force Base N.D. conducted routine maintenance.THEN WE HAVE THIS The component was not installed on a missile at the time of the incident.THE QUESTION IS WHAT MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES APPLY TO A NON INSTALLED COMPONENT INSPECTION?
