A Department of Defense task force formed after several recent incidents of nuclear weapons mismanagement found a lack of enthusiasm and understanding of the importance of nuclear deterrence throughout the department and recommended a series of changes to improve the department's performance. The report came as department officials said that changes recommended in an earlier report, focused on similar problems in the Air Force, were beginning to bear fruit.
On Dec. 18, the Task Force on Nuclear Weapons Management, headed by former Secretary of Defense James Schlesinger, submitted its second report to Secretary of Defense Robert Gates. It recommended that Pentagon professionals be educated on the role and strategic dynamics of deterrence through a series of seminar war games. In addition, the task force pointed out that understanding of the strategic mission must begin at the White House and therefore that the secretaries of defense and energy should periodically brief the president on the state of U.S. nuclear capabilities. They called for the Navy to conduct biennial self-assessments of its nuclear mission to maintain the safety and ensure the reliability of the submarine-based component of the strategic triad. Finally, to coordinate these efforts, the panel recommended creating the position of assistant secretary of defense for deterrence.
The task force also reported on NATO and the state of nuclear forces in Europe. The report recommended that the Pentagon re-evaluate the role of nuclear weapons in Europe and warned against removing weapons from Europe without consulting NATO allies. This recommendation came at a time when some leading statesmen such as former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, were calling for consolidation of deployed nuclear weapons. The task force showed concern for the state of the nuclear planning staff for the U.S. combatant command for Europe and recommended that the staff be fully manned with experienced people and not neglected as it has said to have been in recent years. The task force did find, however, that the level of nuclear weapons security in Europe "meets or exceeds" Defense Department and NATO standards. With regard to U.S. Strategic Command, the panel warned that the combatant command is being overwhelmed and recommended that its missions be limited to deterrence, global strike, and space.
Finally, the task force commented on the significant progress the Air Force had made in implementing the recommendations from its first report. (See ACT, October 2008.) In response to the task force's recommendations, the Air Force released a "Nuclear Roadmap" in October, which called for the creation of a new Global Strike Command to manage all bombers and ICBMs. On Jan. 12, the Air Force established a provisional Global Strike Command at Bolling Air Force Base in Washington, D.C., until a permanent location can be determined.
The Air Force also apparently improved its nuclear weapons safety and reliability procedures. Reports indicated that the Air Force failed several safety inspections late last year. In October, Malmstrom Air Force Base in Montana received an unsatisfactory rating during its nuclear surety inspection. This was followed by another unsatisfactory rating in December at Warren Air Force Base in Wyoming. More recent inspections have resulted in improved scores. Malmstrom was reinspected in early February and received a satisfactory rating. During his opening remarks to the Senate Armed Services Committee Jan. 24, Gates showed his approval for the Air Force's progress, stating, "[D]espite the shortcomings of the past, I do believe the U.S. nuclear deterrent remains safe, secure, and reliable. The Air Force has taken significant steps to improve its nuclear stewardship."