Mike463

Greetings, We have finally published our second book on nuclear weapons accidents (Broken Arrows). The second volume also contains nuclear weapons incidents (Bent Spears), in addition to declassified material on Soviet accidents and UK incidents. The title is "Broken Arrow, Volume II- A Disclosure of Significant U.S., Soviet, and British Nuclear Weapons Incidents and Accidents, 1945-2008" by Michael H. Maggelet and James C. Oskins. ISBN 9780557655939, 338 pages, black and white photos (many never before published), see your favorite bookseller for more info- http://www.amazon.com/Broken-Arrow-Disclosure-Incidents-Accidents/dp/0557655935 In our three year quest using the Freedom of Information Act, we've received several thousand pages of declassified material. So, what did our research reveal? 1. Loss of a Navy nuclear weapon off the city of Jacksonville, Florida in June 1957 (no, not the Tybee Island, Georgia bomb, but close). 2. U.S. Navy warship hit by communist bloc artillery, severely damaging several nuclear anti-submarine rockets (ASROC). 3. Rocket motor fire which damaged a U.S. Army T-4 gun type atomic demolition munition. 4. Accidental salvoes of weapons from bomber aircraft onto the ramp at Loring AFB, Maine in 1956, and Ellsworth AFB, South Dakota in 1958. Parts of the weapons nuclear physics package were damaged. 5. Lightning strikes on several missile systems in Europe during the Cold War leading to severe damage and activation of the tritium reservoirs. 6. Declassified information on the loss of the USS Scorpion which sheds more light on the tragedy, and some interesting clues regarding the sinking of the boat. 7. Background on known Soviet nuclear weapons accidents and incidents, and information on the 1974 CIA retrieval of Soviet nuclear weapons from a sunken submarine. 8. A few dozen Bent Spear incidents dating from the 1950's, up to and including the Minot-Barksdale incident (too many to list, but your favorite Air Force, Navy, or Army nuclear weapon system is likely presented). 9. Dozen's of exclusive photographs including declassified weapon pictures, accident investigation photo's, and a photo record of the Titan II disaster at Damascus, Arkansas. 10. Transcribed records of official Broken Arrow and Bent Spear reports from the Atomic Energy Commission and Explosive Ordnance Disposal. We also include several personal stories from individuals who were present during several accidents and incidents. All told, we believe the US Broken Arrow list is well above 60 accidents, not the 32 presented in the DOD "Narrative Summaries of U.S. Nuclear Weapons Accidents". Yours, Michael H. Maggelet (Retired USAF 46370)

My nephew made the mistake of playing a track from ACCEPT's new album, "Blood of the Nations" on YouTube... Being a metalhead and Accept fan I dutifully ran off to the music store to pick up a copy (last one in stock). Last time I did that was after hearing a cut from Judas Priest's "Painkiller" when I was stationed in Germany (in the days before the internet was widespread and just as CD's were coming out- gotta love AAFES). (may want to let video load due to lag from popups, etc). Yours, Mike

Here's a Table of Contents from our book, pretty much self explanatory for anyone who may be interested in nuclear weapons and Cold War history- "Broken Arrow, Volume II- A Disclosure of Significant U.S., Soviet, and British Nuclear Weapon Incidents and Accidents, 1945-2008" by Michael H. Maggelet and James C. Oskins. Table of Contents Chapter 1- Nuclear Safety Aspects and Materials Chapter 2- Additional U.S. Broken Arrows, 1945 to 1989 [Mike's note- research into our FOIA material on two dozen additional nuclear weapons accidents- the key word was "extensive damage"] Chapter 3- Updated Information on DOD Broken Arrows [with newly declassified documents on previously known accidents] Chapter 4- Palomares, Spain Updated Information Chapter 5- Thule, Greenland Updated Information Chapter 6- USS Scorpion Updated Information Chapter 7- Damascus, Arkansas Updated Information Chapter 8- Bent Spear Incidents of Interest [Nuclear weapon incidents- serious damage to a weapon or system due to human error, mechanical failure, lightning strikes, etc) Chapter 9- USSR Nuclear Weapons Accidents Chapter 10- USSR Nuclear Weapons Incidents [some very interesting material into newly discovered incidents] Chapter 11- United Kingdom Nuclear Weapons Incidents Chapter 12- Espionage, Sabotage, and Security Chapter 13- Unrecovered Classified Components, Training, and OST Weapons Chapter 14- AFSWP Guidelines on Jettisoning Weapons Chapter 15- Statistical Summary of Accidents/Incidents by Functional Activity Chapter 16- Photo Record and Narrative of USS Ozbourn Chapter 17- Photo Record of USS Scorpion Chapter 18- Photo Record of Damascus, Arkansas Titan II Silo Chapter 19- Photo Record of F.E. Warren Minuteman III Bent Spear Index Excerpt from "Broken Arrow, Volume II-" Accident 8 Date Unknown/Possibly Loring AFB, Maine/Mk 17/B-36 DASA TL 20-3 Appendix 1 Summary A live Mk 17 Weapon was loaded aboard an aircraft by an MA-1 Lift. The aircraft taxied to take-off position where normal operating and preflight checks were made. The manual U-2 Locking Pin was removed by the co-observer. Approximately four minutes later, the weapon released through the closed bomb bay doors and came to rest under the aircraft. The investigation revealed faulty insulation in the wiring at station eight and a faulty pneumatic safety switch. The weapon was damaged internally and retired from the OST program. [Category 6] Authors Comments and Additional Information Date, location, and type of aircraft involved in this accident were not published in TL 20-3. Research by the authors indicates this accident likely occurred in March 1956 at Loring Air Force Base, Maine and involved a B-36 aircraft. The Sandia Corporation Summary additionally states “six detonators were smashed” with a hand written notation in a column appearing to be “Loring”.

wpnssgt, Ah, the good ol' days of clip-ins, pylons, and SRAM rotary launchers. I was never at a BUFF base, just FB-111's and F-16's. By the time I PCS'd to a B-1 base, I was set to retire. Check this out- B-52 MITO, Minot AFB, June 2009 (Global Thunder) Yours, Mike Retired 463 (2W2)

The B-52 didn't carry B28EX weapons. A load out for the bomb bay would be something like this- 1 or 2 medium or large diameter bombs, or a combo thereof (such as Mark 15 or 39, Mark 21 or 36, Mark 41, Mark 53) 1 or two MHU-20A/C clip-in (or PWU-6) with B28FI in the bomb bay. The 28FI was most commonly carried since it was more versatile. B43's could also be carried. B61's were fielded in 1968. 2 Hound Dog's on the wings. 1 clip-in in the fwd bay, and a large diameter bomb such as the B53 aft. Of course, SRAM on wings and rotary launcher added more versatility. If we could implement a timer delay function (say, 100 seconds) on parachute retarded nukes, that would improve playability (at least for us SAC veterans). Picture of clip-in here- http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/factsheet...eet.asp?id=1036 More weapons here- http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/exhibits/coldwar/index.asp Yours, Mike

I knew one of the victims, Sgt Michael Stinnett, U.S. Army. He worked with my roommate at Ramstein. Yours, Mike http://www.victimsofpanamflight103.org/victims

When I had Gepard's Afghanistan terrain for WOE I had moving columns of Taliban which would fire at my Mi-24. Unfortunately I accidentally deleted it... Would like the same for FE, but modifying the wwi_verdun targets.ini and types.ini doesn't produce the same effect (for single mission, armed recon). Am using Heck's WWI Bloody Infantry in the objects folder. Any ideas? Yours, Mike

I added Monty cz's individual troops and they showed up in game as a column of 18 or so troops. No weapons, so they didn't fire at me. Will continue to work on the problem and post any developments.

Had to re-install FE with patches, however at present there are no observation balloons at the front. There are balloons for balloon busting missions, but only in the target area. Otherwise the map is empty. Any suggestions appreciated. Yours, Mike

The target ini would be too long to post, but here is an easy explanation on how to do things (feel free to correct me, Tailspin). Took me about 30 minutes to cut and paste everything. First, download the mod here- http://forum.combatace.com/index.php?autoc...p;showfile=6169 Follow the directions for installation. BACKUP your original files! I added the following line to each target (Axis and allies), you have to change the weapons for each side if copying and pasting- Target[001].Type=Balloon Target[001].Offset=0.00,0.00 Target[001].Heading=0 Target[002].Type=ParabellumAAA Target[002].Offset=-210.00,175.00 Target[002].Heading=90.00 Target[003].Type=ParabellumAAA Target[003].Offset=-100.00,-240.00 Target[003].Heading=0.0 Target[004].Type=ParabellumAAA Target[004].Offset=240.00,-80.00 Target[004].Heading=270 EXAMPLE ENEMY [TargetArea001] Name=Amagne Position=72626.00,162874.00 Radius=100 ActiveDate=01/01/0001 Location=1 Alignment=ENEMY Target[001].Type=Balloon Target[001].Offset=0.00,0.00 Target[001].Heading=0 Target[002].Type=ParabellumAAA Target[002].Offset=-210.00,175.00 Target[002].Heading=90.00 Target[003].Type=ParabellumAAA Target[003].Offset=-100.00,-240.00 Target[003].Heading=0.0 Target[004].Type=ParabellumAAA Target[004].Offset=240.00,-80.00 Target[004].Heading=270 EXAMPLE FRIENDLY [TargetArea047] Name=Châlons Position=62945.00,101704.00 Radius=100 ActiveDate=01/01/0001 Location=1 Alignment=FRIENDLY Target[001].Type=Balloon Target[001].Offset=0.00,0.00 Target[001].Heading=0 Target[002].Type=VickersAAA Target[002].Offset=-210.00,175.00 Target[002].Heading=90.00 Target[003].Type=VickersAAA Target[003].Offset=-100.00,-240.00 Target[003].Heading=0.0 Target[004].Type=VickersAAA Target[004].Offset=240.00,-80.00 Target[004].Heading=270 Note that alignment is ENEMY with German ParabellumAAA MG's. I've varied the Type with AAA or ParabellumAAA or VickersAAA depending on side. I've noticed in testing that the target AAA will vary- in some instances the target will have an Archie and some AAA guns or all guns. Also note that each target has three parameters per entry, these must be in numerical order if you add them to a city or near an airfield. I've also added significant quantities of ammo to the MG's in the gundata file. Yours, Mike

Tailspin, I modified your "First Eagles Verdun Bridges and Airfield AAMGs" mod by adding a balloon and three MG's to each target. Most of the references I've read state that most balloons were located near the front lines (but it adds to the immersion factor- it's a pain in the *** trying to avoid ground based MG's and AAA over enemy territory). http://forum.combatace.com/index.php?autoc...p;showfile=6169 I highly recommend this mod (different download for Expansion Pack). With a little copying and pasting, you can add a balloon and ring of three MG's around each target (took me about 45 minutes to modify my wwiverdun target ini file). Make sure you review the "readme", and back up your original file. Yours, Mike

Tailspin, Appears to have helped. I remember seeing a lot more balloons around, I probably edited the target.ini years ago and added them to some locations. Thanks for the help. Yours, Mike

One of the reasons I took early retirement in the '90's was the poor prospect of making rank in our career field (only seven TSgt's were promoted each cycle). At least no one I know was involved in the Minot fiasco. Congrats on making E-7! Yours, Mike 46370, Retired

DPRK is sabre rattling again- http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/as...ve-1700590.html I think the US and Russia have the capability to produce pure fusion weapons- they're called "asteroids"! Yours, Mike

Using nuclear weapons will not render the countryside useless for decades (people live in Hiroshima and Nagasaki). Nuclear weapons, depending on yield, were designed for a number of contingencies- artillery fired projectiles for large enemy formations (like we faced in NATO against the Warsaw Pact), aerial bombs for airfields, depots, command posts, missile fields, sub bases, etc. Atomic demolition munitions to take out bridges, dams, airfields, etc. Weapons like the AIR-2A and AIM-54 Nuclear Falcon were designed specifically for formations of aircraft consisting of Mya-4, Tu-95 (let's not forget Nike Hercules, BOMARC, SA-2, SA-5, etc). Early TN bombs such as the Mk17 were designed not for cities, but military industrial areas. More info on the Nuclear Weapon Archive website- http://www.nuclearweaponarchive.org/ If you truly want to educate yourself, read "The Effects of Nuclear Weapons" by Samuel Glasstone. The fact that the DPRK and Iran are pursuing nuclear weapons (thanks in part to A.Q. Khan) shows that nuclear disarmament is not credible. Yours, Mike

Nice introductory video (I worked on the B61 from '81 to '92)- Yours, Mike USAF Retired

AGM-69A SRAM (Short Range Attack Missile), worked 'em for nearly eight years- - Rocket motor bands are brown, not black. - Fins are a reddish brown phenolic color. - Fuze (point initiating-base detonating) is also reddish brown phenolic. Pics here- http://flickr.com/search/?q=pease+afb How some loader took those pics in a restricted area is beyond me, officially they would be USAF (unofficially someone would be in big trouble). Pics look to be prior to 1980 (note blue colored rank). Yours, Mike WSA Pease '81-'83

One of the SAC old timers I know said in the '50's and '60's, they worked until the job was done, no 12 hour work limit. There were monthly alerts in addition to the wing airborne alert tasking. In the '80's, our biggest worry was SAC MSET inspectors (Maintenance Standardization and Evaluation Team) who were quite knowledgeable from your own career field. We also had to endure SAC Inspector General (every three years) and Field Command, Defense Nuclear Agency inspections (every four years). Also had Wing Quality Assurance who always took an interest in our tech ops. Our wing alert exercises were quarterly. One aspect I hated the most was "Global Shield", which was like two weeks of 12 hour shifts. Try eating those disgusting "bag nasties" (in flight meals in the white box) for a week straight. Really hated mobility training. At least in SAC we didn't have to worry about chem gear, hated our LSN's in USAFE. Yours, Mike

We had a term for U.S. Army troops stationed in the Fulda Gap facing the Warsaw Pact- "Speedbumps" Warsaw Pact Order of Battle June 1989 http://www.orbat.com/site/history/historic...warsawpact.html Yours, Mike

Dave, Much radiation I have absorbed! Here's a great vid of nuke delivery, compliments of the 379th BMW, Wurtsmith AFB- The same series has conventional delivery also. Yours, Mike

One problem I noticed is loadout of nukes on BUFF's. The loadout differed during the Cold War era, to include but not limited to two large diameter bombs in the bay, or a large diameter bomb and 2 Hound Dogs on wings, or a clip-in of Mk28's, 43's, or 61's along with Hound Dogs (or Quails internal). When SRAM came along, the loadout could be a single bomb, or a clip-in and a rotary launcher of 6 SRAMS. SRAM's could also be mounted externally on the wings of B-52's. The loadout varied according to the mission. Then of course there's ALCM and ACM, the Common Strategic Rotary Launcher, etc. Yours, Mike

A target list of North Korea, circa 1968 compliments of the SR-71 and CIA, can be found on this page- http://www.foia.cia.gov/search.asp?pageNum...;sortOrder=DESC or type in "BLACK SHIELD MISSION BX6847" then click on "view document in full..." Yours, Mike

Depending on atmospheric conditions and height of burst, a mushroom cloud would form. Numerous atmospheric test shots have shown this. When the fireball cools, it forms ice caps, bells, and skirts that will eventually dissipate into irregular cloud formations (with very little residual fallout). Lots of American, British, Soviet, and French tests show this. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zCz7lJvwb2M Cloud from Genie shot- http://www.geocities.com/usaf463/Genie.html Yours, Mike

During the Vietnam era AC-119 and AC-47's would drop parachute flares at night. Some aircraft were equipped with spotlights. AC-130's certainly had thermal imaging equipment (sensor operators). There should be some stock footage on YouTube (I can ask some of the old timers since I live near Hurlburt). As for ground troops, one practice was to place a strobe light inside the muzzle of an unloaded M-79 grenade launcher and point it straight up; an overhead FAC could make it out against jungle canopy or at night. I remember reading a MACV-SOG "tips of the trade" booklet on not using penflares to signal a position to a FAC, since it looked like a tracer round. Yours, Mike