VA3 Ch4 - Nuclear Enterprise

Question 1

List two significant events that occurred in the history of nuclear weapons.

Answer 1

Cuban Missile Crisis, Berlin Airlift, Hiroshima

Question 2

Define nuclear deterrence.

Answer 2

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.

Question 3

Complete the formula used to define deterrence with the missing inter-related factors.

Deterrence = _______ x Will x _______

Answer 3

Capability, Perception

Question 4

What is the role of nuclear weapons in deterrence?

Answer 4

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).

Question 5

List three ways in which an NCO supports deterrence and impacts national security strategy.

Answer 5

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

Question 6

The rapid increase or spread of nuclear weapons and nuclear material, technology, and information to nations that aren’t recognized by NWS

Answer 6

Nuclear proliferation

Question 7

An effort by members to detect, secure, and dispose of weapons of mass destruction

Answer 7

Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT)

Question 8

A nation that has nuclear weapons and the capability for their employment

Answer 8

Nuclear Weapon State (NWS)

Question 9

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

Answer 9

Nuclear surety

Question 10

Name the key components of nuclear surety.

Answer 10

Security, safety, and reliability

Question 11

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.

Answer 11

Personnel Reliability Program (PRP), two-person concept

Question 12

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

Answer 12

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

Question 13

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 ____________.

Answer 13

8th, bombers, 20th, ICBMs

Question 14

The components of the new triad include which of the following? (Select all that apply).
\_\_\_\_SLBMs
\_\_\_\_ICBMs
\_\_\_\_C2
\_\_\_\_Bombers

Answer 14

X SLBMs
X ICBMs
X C2
X Bombers

Question 15

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

Answer 15

X Warhead reliability

Question 16

The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff has the authority to order the use of nuclear weapons.

a. True
b. False

Answer 16

b. False

Question 17

List two current regional nuclear security issues that are of concern to the United States.

Answer 17

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.

Question 18

Name two ways the United States can prepare to defend itself and its allies against the threats of nuclear proliferation.

Answer 18

Continue to conduct research and technology, military training (CBRNE), invent new nuclear weapons, and continue to collect credible intelligence.

Question 19

Heavily secured areas inside the perimeter of a base commonly referred to as igloos

Answer 19

Weapons Storage Areas (WSAs)

Question 20

Peacetime support of logistical airlift; specially trained C-130 and C-17 aircrews and support personnel

Answer 20

Prime Nuclear Airlift Force (PNAF)

Question 21

Includes electronic monitoring and controls and weapons storage vaults built into the floor of a Protective Aircraft Shelter

Answer 21

Weapons Storage and Security System (WS3)

Question 22

Deep underground structure of reinforced concrete and steel in a blast and pressure protected hardened capsule

Answer 22

Launch Control Center (LCC)

Question 23

Underground, vertical cylindrical container; physically hardened and protected by a large “blast door” on top

Answer 23

Missile silo

Question 24

Materiel, personnel, and procedures that contribute to the safety, security, reliability, and control of nuclear weapons

Answer 24

Nuclear surety

Question 25

Safety, security, and reliability

Answer 25

Key components of nuclear surety

Question 26

Two certified personnel knowledgeable in the task and are capable of detecting incorrect acts

Answer 26

Two-person concept

Question 27

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

Answer 27

Personnel Reliability Program (PRP)

Question 28

State of mind brought about by the existence of a credible threat of unacceptable counteraction

Answer 28

Deterrence

Question 29

Capability, will, and perception

Answer 29

Factors of the deterrence equation

Question 30

Activities by non-members of the Non-proliferation Treaty to secure, transport, and employ weapons of mass destruction.

Answer 30

Nuclear proliferation

Question 31

Acts by members of the NPT to detect, secure, and dispose of these weapons

Answer 31

Nuclear non-proliferation

Question 32

Has manufactured and exploded a nuclear weapon or other nuclear explosive device prior to 1 January 1967.

Answer 32

Nuclear Weapons State (NWS)

Question 33

Non-nuclear and nuclear, active and passive defenses, and infrastructure

Answer 33

Elements of the new triad

Question 34

Name two incidents that led to the US Air Force reemphasizing the nuclear enterprise.

Answer 34

The unauthorized movement of nuclear weapons and the misshipment of sensitive missile components.

Question 35

What was a lesson learned as a result of the misshipment of sensitive missile components in March 2008?

Answer 35

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.

Question 36

How do lessons learned from the unauthorized movement of nuclear weapons and misshipment of sensitive missile component relate to an NCO’s responsibilities?

Answer 36

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

Question 37

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.

Answer 37

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.

Question 38

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.

Answer 38

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.