Live nukes flown across U.S.
The week's news at a glance.
Washington, D.C.
The Air Force this week said it was investigating how six nuclear warheads were mistakenly loaded onto a B-52 bomber and flown from North Dakota to Louisiana. The cruise missiles attached to the bomber were supposed to have been warhead-free, but when the plane landed at Barksdale Air Force Base last week, officers discovered it was carrying 150-kiloton nukes. The squadron commander in charge of the mission, whose name has not been released, has been relieved of his command. “The weapons were always in our custody,” said Air Force spokesman Lt. Col. Ed Thomas, “and there was never a danger to the American public.” All U.S.-based flights of fighters and bombers will be halted next week, the Pentagon said, to allow for a thorough review of procedures.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
-
How to create a healthy 'germier' home
Under The Radar Exposure to a broad range of microbes can enhance our immune system, especially during childhood
-
George Floyd: Did Black Lives Matter fail?
Feature The momentum for change fades as the Black Lives Matter Plaza is scrubbed clean
-
National debt: Why Congress no longer cares
Feature Rising interest rates, tariffs and Trump's 'big, beautiful' bill could sent the national debt soaring