The U.S. Air Force has suspended 34 officers in charge of launching nuclear missiles for allegedly cheating or tolerating cheating on a proficiency test.
The alleged cheating was discovered during a separate investigation into charges of drug possession by officers at Malmstrom Air Force Base in Montana .
Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James said Wednesday she is "profoundly disappointed." She called the alleged cheating absolutely unacceptable, but assured Americans that the country's nuclear arsenal is always safe. James said all officers responsible for the nuclear missiles will be retested.
News of the scandal broke at a time of troubling developments in the U.S. nuclear force. There are reports of low morale and boredom among airmen.
An Air Force general was fired last year for getting drunk while in Russia for a nuclear exercise.
The alleged cheating was discovered during a separate investigation into charges of drug possession by officers at Malmstrom Air Force Base in Montana .
Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James said Wednesday she is "profoundly disappointed." She called the alleged cheating absolutely unacceptable, but assured Americans that the country's nuclear arsenal is always safe. James said all officers responsible for the nuclear missiles will be retested.
News of the scandal broke at a time of troubling developments in the U.S. nuclear force. There are reports of low morale and boredom among airmen.
An Air Force general was fired last year for getting drunk while in Russia for a nuclear exercise.