Minot commander eyes rebuilding reputation

[unhappycamper]

Minot commander eyes rebuilding reputation
The Associated Press
Posted : Friday Nov 2, 2007 12:28:44 EDT

MINOT, N.D. — The new commander of Minot Air Force Base says airmen there have something to prove and a reputation to reclaim.

“We’ve got to prove, first of all, that we are capable, and I believe we are,” Col. Joel Westa said as he officially took command of the base Thursday. “Once we do that, then I want to get back to business as usual as much as possible.”

Westa’s appointment, announced in October, came in the wake of a cross-country flight of a nuclear-armed B-52 bomber from the base to Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana in late August.

The military, after a six-week investigation, called the flight an “unacceptable mistake.” The Minot commander at the time, Col. Bruce Emig, was relieved of command.

Westa also is the commander of the 5th Bomb Wing at the base. He came to Minot from Guam, where he was vice commander of the 36th Wing at Andersen Air Force Base.

About 65 airmen at Minot have been disciplined and barred from handling nuclear weapons, according to the military. Westa said they will be recertified as soon as possible.


Rest of article at: http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2007/11/ap_westa_minot_071102/



uhc comment: The new Minot commander should also eye on telling us about that missing sixth nuke.