Another nuke commander sacked magnifying fears of warhead use

Maj. Gen. Michael Carey, who oversees the nation’s arsenal of intercontinental missiles, was fired on Friday for personal misbehavior, the Air Force said, adding that the matter was not tied to readiness or security. http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/12/us/another-military-commander-is-fired.html?ref=us  On Wednesday, the deputy commander of United States Strategic Command, which oversees America’s nuclear arsenal and space operations, was removed in a gambling investigation. The Air Force did not say what General Carey did wrong but provided a list of things he was not being accused of, including sexual misconduct. The general in charge of the US Air Force’s long-range nuclear missiles has been sacked due to “loss of trust and confidence”, officials have said.
The Air Force said Maj Gen Michael Carey’s removal was for “behaviour during a temporary duty assignment”.The sacking was not linked to the operation of the nuclear arsenal, which was safe, the officials insisted.
On Wednesday the US Navy announced an admiral overseeing nuclear weapons forces had been sacked from the role.
Michael Carey is a two-star general in the 20th Air Force and was responsible for maintaining intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) at three bases across the US – a total of 450 missiles. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-24499310
In a statement, the Air Force said Lt Gen James Kowalski, the commander of Air Force Global Strike Command, had made the decision.
It read: “Kowalski made his decision based on information from an Inspector General investigation into Carey’s behaviour during a temporary duty assignment.
“The allegations are not related to operational readiness or the inspection results of any 20th AF unit, nor do they involve sexual misconduct.”
Gen Kowalski said: “It’s unfortunate that I’ve had to relieve an officer who’s had an otherwise distinctive career spanning 35 years of commendable service.”
Gen Kowalski oversees all Air Force nuclear weapons, including aircraft-delivered.
The vice commander of Air Force Global Strike Command, Maj Gen Jack Weinstein, is temporarily replacing Gen Carey.
The Air Force’s biography of Gen Carey says he is in charge of 9,600 people at three operational wings and served in operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. It lists 13 major awards he has received.

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