VA3 Ch4 - Nuclear Enterprise Flashcards
List two significant events that occurred in the history of nuclear weapons.
Cuban Missile Crisis, Berlin Airlift, Hiroshima
Define nuclear deterrence.
Deterrence is the prevention from action by fear of consequences. Deterrence is a state of mind brought about by the existence of a credible threat of unacceptable counteraction.
Complete the formula used to define deterrence with the missing inter-related factors.
Deterrence = _______ x Will x _______
Capability, Perception
What is the role of nuclear weapons in deterrence?
The primary purpose of maintaining the US nuclear arsenal is to discourage an enemy from pursuing, procuring, and employing nuclear weapons or other weapons of mass destruction (WMD) for fear of reprisals. Maintaining this capability is an essential factor in deterrence (along with will and perception).
List three ways in which an NCO supports deterrence and impacts national security strategy.
NCOs should do the following to support deterrence:
- Practice OPSEC
- Augmentee SFS if needed
- Participate in nuclear surety inspections and exercises
- Transport/secure nuclear weapons
- Support the administrative and medical needs of those who work with nuclear weapons (PRP)
- Supervise subordinate performance
- Discipline substandard performance
- Promote the importance of deterrence
The rapid increase or spread of nuclear weapons and nuclear material, technology, and information to nations that aren’t recognized by NWS
Nuclear proliferation
An effort by members to detect, secure, and dispose of weapons of mass destruction
Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT)
A nation that has nuclear weapons and the capability for their employment
Nuclear Weapon State (NWS)
Materiel, personnel, and procedures that contribute to the security, safety, and reliability of nuclear weapons and to the assurance that there will be no nuclear weapon accidents, incidents, unauthorized weapon detonations, or degradation in performance at the target
Nuclear surety
Name the key components of nuclear surety.
Security, safety, and reliability
Individual reliability encompasses two processes: ______________________ ensures that those persons whose behavior demonstrates integrity, reliability, and are trustworthy to the United States shall be allowed to perform duties associated with nuclear weapons; _________________ requires the presence at all times two PRP individuals perform tasks and duties associated with the nuclear weapon.
Personnel Reliability Program (PRP), two-person concept
What was the purpose of creating the Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC) in 2009? (Select all that apply)
____ Execute nuclear weapons with precision when called upon by our Nation
____ Mandates rules for storage and handling nuclear weapons
____ Ensure oversight of the nuclear mission of the US Air Force
____ Restore our country’s and our allies’ faith in our ability to safeguard nuclear assets
X Execute nuclear weapons with precision when called upon by our Nation
X Ensure oversight of the nuclear mission of the US Air Force
X Restore our country’s and our allies’ faith in our ability to safeguard nuclear assets
The Air Force Global Strike Command operates two new commands that encompass two numbered Air Forces: ____________ Air Force, which is responsible for all nuclear-capable ____________; and the ____________ Air Force, which is responsible for all ____________.
8th, bombers, 20th, ICBMs
The components of the new triad include which of the following? (Select all that apply). \_\_\_\_SLBMs \_\_\_\_ICBMs \_\_\_\_C2 \_\_\_\_Bombers
X SLBMs
X ICBMs
X C2
X Bombers
Which of the following is not a component of the new triad’s non-nuclear and nuclear strike capabilities? \_\_\_\_SLBMs \_\_\_\_Active and passive defenses \_\_\_\_Warhead reliability \_\_\_\_Responsive infrastructure
X Warhead reliability
The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff has the authority to order the use of nuclear weapons.
a. True
b. False
b. False
List two current regional nuclear security issues that are of concern to the United States.
Iran’s nuclear weapons program, increased tension between India and Pakistan; both countries have conducted nuclear tests and developed sophisticated delivery systems, North Korea’s development and tests of nuclear weapons and the treat of using these weapons against the United States or its allies.
Name two ways the United States can prepare to defend itself and its allies against the threats of nuclear proliferation.
Continue to conduct research and technology, military training (CBRNE), invent new nuclear weapons, and continue to collect credible intelligence.
Heavily secured areas inside the perimeter of a base commonly referred to as igloos
Weapons Storage Areas (WSAs)
Peacetime support of logistical airlift; specially trained C-130 and C-17 aircrews and support personnel
Prime Nuclear Airlift Force (PNAF)
Includes electronic monitoring and controls and weapons storage vaults built into the floor of a Protective Aircraft Shelter
Weapons Storage and Security System (WS3)
Deep underground structure of reinforced concrete and steel in a blast and pressure protected hardened capsule
Launch Control Center (LCC)
Underground, vertical cylindrical container; physically hardened and protected by a large “blast door” on top
Missile silo
Materiel, personnel, and procedures that contribute to the safety, security, reliability, and control of nuclear weapons
Nuclear surety
Safety, security, and reliability
Key components of nuclear surety
Two certified personnel knowledgeable in the task and are capable of detecting incorrect acts
Two-person concept
Ensures only those persons whose behavior demonstrates integrity, reliability, trustworthiness, allegiance, and loyalty to the United States shall be allowed to perform duties associated with nuclear weapons
Personnel Reliability Program (PRP)
State of mind brought about by the existence of a credible threat of unacceptable counteraction
Deterrence
Capability, will, and perception
Factors of the deterrence equation
Activities by non-members of the Non-proliferation Treaty to secure, transport, and employ weapons of mass destruction.
Nuclear proliferation
Acts by members of the NPT to detect, secure, and dispose of these weapons
Nuclear non-proliferation
Has manufactured and exploded a nuclear weapon or other nuclear explosive device prior to 1 January 1967.
Nuclear Weapons State (NWS)
Non-nuclear and nuclear, active and passive defenses, and infrastructure
Elements of the new triad
Name two incidents that led to the US Air Force reemphasizing the nuclear enterprise.
The unauthorized movement of nuclear weapons and the misshipment of sensitive missile components.
What was a lesson learned as a result of the misshipment of sensitive missile components in March 2008?
The lesson learned in the incident involving the misshipment of sensitive missile components was a violation of process discipline, which requires following standard operating procedures to accomplish routine missions.
How do lessons learned from the unauthorized movement of nuclear weapons and misshipment of sensitive missile component relate to an NCO’s responsibilities?
An NCOs primary responsibility is mission accomplishment. These incidents have shown that when supervisors stop valuing the mission everything breaks down and mission readiness fails. NCOs must know and enforce nuclear regulations and lead by positive example. An NCO can assume the responsibility of ensuring nuclear weapons related events do not occur by:
- Leading by positive example
- Assuming responsibility for their actions
- Communicating the importance of nuclear surety to Airmen
- Monitoring personnel actions
- Disciplining inappropriate behavior and substandard duty performance
- Knowing/enforcing nuclear regulations
SrA Trip is a weapons loader on a crew that has been loading the B-2 Bomber. While loading the Rotary Launcher Assembly (RLA) that contains nuclear weapons, he notices one of the racks that attach the bomb to the RLA was missing a bolt. From training, he remembered it as one of several bolts that holds the locking mechanism and could affect the rack’s ability to hold the bomb in place. He wonders if this is something he should report to the Team Chief. However, he continues his task and decides not to mention it figuring it has already been verified by both the breakout and tow crews, and was accepted by the crew chief. It was later discovered by QA and the RLA removed from service.
This scenario BEST illustrates a violation of the ________________________ element of the nuclear surety concept and an impact to __________________________.
a. reliability; nuclear deterrence.
b. security; non-proliferation of nuclear weapons.
c. safety; nuclear employment.
THE CORRECT ANSWER IS C
REASON: According to the Nuclear Enterprise chapter, safety is one of three key elements of nuclear surety. It consists of program guidance, system evaluation, safety assurance, and for conduct of safe nuclear weapon system operations. Trip violated that by disregarding what he knew to be a safety issue and justified it by telling himself that others have verified the system and it was cleared. This could result in a nuclear mishap and degradation of nuclear employment.
SSgt Field and A1C Thomas is on duty as the Monitoring Facility Operator for the Weapons Storage and Security System (WS3). Early one morning Thomas experienced several momentary alarm failures. Each outage lasted for only a few seconds and communications to the security system was regained. Field wondered if the alarm glitch was due to the recent inclement weather they had experienced. Since the system appeared to auto correct itself, Field decided to hold off reporting the incident to the Maintenance Operations Center immediately as required by the Air Base Instructions.
Field’s inaction will MOST LIKELY result in a compromise of nuclear weapons’ ____________________ which will negatively impact mission effectiveness.
a. reliability and positive measures.
b. security and nuclear weapons security standards.
c. security and the two-person concept.
THE CORRECT ANSWER IS C
REASON: According to the Nuclear Enterprise chapter, security is the total spectrum of procedures, facilities, equipment, and personnel employed to protect nuclear weapon. In this scenario, security of the nuclear weapons is compromised due to uncertainty of the alarm system integrity. Field should have followed the Air Base Instruction and reported the incident immediately. Compromise of the nuclear weapons security is a serious matter and will cause degradation of nuclear surety.
