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| Nine fired in US nuclear force cheating scandal | Nine fired in US nuclear force cheating scandal |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| The US Air Force has sacked nine mid-level nuclear commanders and will discipline dozens more in a test cheating scandal, officials have said. | The US Air Force has sacked nine mid-level nuclear commanders and will discipline dozens more in a test cheating scandal, officials have said. |
| Nearly one in five of the Air Force's nuclear missile officers have been implicated in a ring of cheating on monthly proficiency tests. | Nearly one in five of the Air Force's nuclear missile officers have been implicated in a ring of cheating on monthly proficiency tests. |
| Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James has said the nuclear force is suffering from "systemic problems". | Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James has said the nuclear force is suffering from "systemic problems". |
| A series of programmes to improve leadership are also said to be planned. | A series of programmes to improve leadership are also said to be planned. |
| None of the fired commanders is directly involved in the alleged cheating. Each was instead determined to have failed in leadership responsibility. | None of the fired commanders is directly involved in the alleged cheating. Each was instead determined to have failed in leadership responsibility. |
| The most senior leader said to be involved is the commander of Malmstrom Air Force Base's 341st Missile Wing, Col Robert Stanley, who was reportedly allowed to resign. | The most senior leader said to be involved is the commander of Malmstrom Air Force Base's 341st Missile Wing, Col Robert Stanley, who was reportedly allowed to resign. |
| Commanders of the 341st Wing's three missile squadrons - each of whom is responsible for three nuclear missiles - were also fired, the Associated Press news agency reports. | Commanders of the 341st Wing's three missile squadrons - each of whom is responsible for three nuclear missiles - were also fired, the Associated Press news agency reports. |
| Ninety-one missile launch crew members at Malmstrom have thus far been implicated in the cheating scandal, including more than 40 who face disciplinary action that may include dismissal. | Ninety-one missile launch crew members at Malmstrom have thus far been implicated in the cheating scandal, including more than 40 who face disciplinary action that may include dismissal. |
| Cheating allegations first emerged during investigations into alleged drug use by personnel at other bases. | Cheating allegations first emerged during investigations into alleged drug use by personnel at other bases. |
| In the wake of the revelations, the Air Force announced the entire team at the base would be re-tested. | In the wake of the revelations, the Air Force announced the entire team at the base would be re-tested. |
| It is the latest scandal to hit the US Air Force and nuclear missile force. | It is the latest scandal to hit the US Air Force and nuclear missile force. |
| Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel had previously ordered a high-level review of the US nuclear forces, saying he was "deeply concerned" about morale and discipline among nuclear officers, while insisting that US nuclear arms were safe. | Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel had previously ordered a high-level review of the US nuclear forces, saying he was "deeply concerned" about morale and discipline among nuclear officers, while insisting that US nuclear arms were safe. |