Study: Nuclear Force Feeling 'Burnout' from Work

[SurelySerious]

Wow. This is an absolutely brutal commentary on the Air Force and our nukes:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Y1ya-yF35g

I like CNN's footage of I-HAWKs followed by a Patriot launcher while discussing the sleeping launch officers for Minuteman missiles. Solid.

[Fuzz]

ICBMs have a WIC

Why? (Serious question)

[Champ Kind]

Why? (Serious question)

I guess ICBMs are a "weapon", too.

....and someone in their community felt the need for 8 hour debriefs?

Edited July 30, 2014 by Champ Kind

[Fuzz]

I guess ICBMs are a "weapon", too.

....and someone in their community felt the need for 8 hour debriefs?

"Good job today Lt. Snuffy, you didn't press the big red button. However, if you move your seat .69 feet to the right you could put the launch order, your checklist and the button all in arms reach. In fact let me get my whiteboard and I'll draw it out for you and break it down over the next 8 hours".

[Breckey]

It's more of a strategic integration course than a classic weapons school (I would assume very similar to the Intel WIC). They focus on more integrating with other CAF assets to better enable them to accomplish national directives. They don't get out much and it allows them to see the rest of the Air Force and how they execute the mission.

IMO the WIC prepares them to be at the 625th STOS/STRATCOM as planners for targeting/scheduling. The shell game that is involved to ensure that all of the targets are covered with the right number/weapon configuration to ensure the required PK is ridiculous.

Edited July 30, 2014 by Breckey

[deaddebate]

Semi-related news.

https://www.stripes.com/news/air-force/grand-forks-afb-reprimands-48-airmen-for-cheating-on-test-1.305046

Grand Forks AFB reprimands 48 airmen for cheating on test

Air traffic control airmen of the 319th Operations Support Squadron received “various degrees of administrative and punitive action” that ranged from letters of counseling (least severe) to Article 15 (most severe), according to a news release issued Thursday.

[pawnman]

Semi-related news.

https://www.stripes.com/news/air-force/grand-forks-afb-reprimands-48-airmen-for-cheating-on-test-1.305046

Grand Forks AFB reprimands 48 airmen for cheating on test

So...bonuses and new medals for ATC in the future?

[HU&W]

Semi-related news.

https://www.stripes.com/news/air-force/grand-forks-afb-reprimands-48-airmen-for-cheating-on-test-1.305046

Grand Forks AFB reprimands 48 airmen for cheating on test

I hear there's an opening for an air traffic controller at Chicago Center.

[deaddebate]

I hear there's an opening for an air traffic controller at Chicago Center.

At first I didn't understand what the hell you meant. Then I started watching the nightly national news and it became rapidly apparent.

[Learjetter]

Semi-related news.

https://www.stripes.com/news/air-force/grand-forks-afb-reprimands-48-airmen-for-cheating-on-test-1.305046

Grand Forks AFB reprimands 48 airmen for cheating on test

Wait, WHAT?!? Grand Forks AFB has 48+ ATC airmen?

Grand Forks? Really? How many does a busy airport get?

[Breckey]

They need people to put up the UAV TFRs every day.

[Clayton Bigsby]

Wait, WHAT?!? Grand Forks AFB has 48+ ATC airmen?

Grand Forks? Really? How many does a busy airport get?

Seems like an awful lot. Are they 24hrs? That jacks the staffing requirements up.

I think larger towers are in the 30 to 40-ish range.

Edit, come to think of it, I think the AFB runs the approach control for the area, and the civil airport at GFK is extremely busy with UND having a major flying school there. UND rivals Embry-Riddle, but all consolidated to one location. GFK is one of the busiest tower-only fields in the country.

That would explain the high numbers.

Edited September 28, 2014 by Clayton Bigsby

[HU&W]

More firings making headlines.

Lt. Col. Jimmy Brown, in command of the 741st Missile Squadron at Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, was relieved of command on Monday by Col. Michael Lutton, 91st Missile Wing commander, "because of a loss of confidence in Brown's ability to lead his squadron." An investigation "substantiated that Brown engaged in unlawful discrimination or harassment." That included the finding "that many squadron members believe women are, or will be, treated differently than men," the statement said. (...) "Brown made statements to subordinates that created a perception within his squadron that pregnancy would negatively affect a woman's career." It also found instances when "he failed to fulfill his responsibilities as a commander by ensuring the well-being of his Airmen," Sheets said. One sauch (sic) incident specified in the report was in March 2014, when a missile crew became ill from fumes at a launch control center, but remained at their posts because they believed they would have gotten in trouble with Brown if they had left. They eventually received medical attention at a local post after their shift was over.

At F.E. Warren, Col. Carl Jones, the number two commander of the 90th Missile Wing was relieved of command "for a loss of trust and confidence in his leadership abilities." An investigation substantiated allegations that Jones had maltreated subordinates on multiple occasions. That investigation was triggered by an event in September in which Jones had gone to an on-base thrift store operated by volunteers known as "The Airman's Attic." According to the report, during a discussion with volunteers about the store's shopping hour policies Jones "repeatedly hit the Airman's Attic's front counter while raising his voice, using profanity and threatening to shut down the Airman's Attic." Earlier this spring he was visibly angry and directed profanity at employees at the base's bowling center because of the long wait times for food, the report said. In another incident Jones made derogatory remarks to a first lieutenant in front of others about the officer's job knowledge.

Edited November 4, 2014 by HU&W

[Homestar]

In another incident Jones made derogatory remarks to a first lieutenant in front of others about the officer's job knowledge.

So....we can't do this anymore?

[17D_guy]

So....we can't do this anymore?

Other articles say this was at the club in front of enlisted folks, unrelated to a debrief. Do you guys do that?

[Homestar]

Other articles say this was at the club in front of enlisted folks, unrelated to a debrief. Do you guys do that?

What's a debrief?

Seriously though, I don't really have any idea what happened, and think that people of all ranks should treat everyone with basic dignity.

[BFM this]

Seriously though, I don't really have any idea what happened, and think that people of all ranks should treat everyone with basic dignity.

That's fine except Lt's aren't real people.

[GKinnear]

[brickhistory]

https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Latest-News-Wires/2014/1113/Hagel-orders-top-to-bottom-changes-in-nuclear-bomb-systems-to-fix-failures

Make another four-star billet, another three-star billet, and problem solved.

If the rational is that a four-star can advocate better to fix these long-festering problems, that doesn't say much for the combatant command that is notionally responsible for nukes.

[deaddebate]

https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Latest-News-Wires/2014/1113/Hagel-orders-top-to-bottom-changes-in-nuclear-bomb-systems-to-fix-failures

Make another four-star billet, another three-star billet, and problem solved.

If the rational is that a four-star can advocate better to fix these long-festering problems, that doesn't say much for the combatant command that is notionally responsible for nukes.

Other highlights:

[...] the reviews found a "disconnect" between what nuclear force leaders say and what they deliver to lower-level troops who execute the missions in the field. [...] [the Personnel Reliability Program] has devolved into a burdensome administrative exercise that detracts from the mission [...] Hagel ordered that it be overhauled. [...] Hagel concluded that despite tight Pentagon budgets, billions of dollars more will be needed over the next five years to upgrade equipment. That will include a proposal to replace the Vietnam-era UH-1 Huey helicopter fleet that is part of the security forces at ICBM bases. The Air Force declared them out of date years ago but put available resources into other priorities.

Still waiting on this supposed announcement.

[Breckey]

That will include a proposal to replace the Vietnam-era UH-1 Huey helicopter fleet that is part of the security forces at ICBM bases. The Air Force declared them out of date years ago but put available resources into other priorities.

With a 20 year old ex-Army UH-60A/L. They couldn't at least transition to a UH-60M standard to streamline training in the schoolhouse. Instead the missile/NCR and PR units will still have different training, and limited opportunities to transition between the different communities.

[Guest]

Found it: https://www.defense.gov/pubs/NER-Fact-Sheet.pdf

The Air Force has exempted 4,000 nuclear force Airmen from manpower reductions, and is reshaping nuclear force training, evaluations, and force management. The Air Force will add nearly 1,100 (military and civilian) billets to the forces assigned to its Global Strike Command to address manpower shortfalls.

[...]

The Air Force has also established an ICBM-duty Reserve Officer Training Corps scholarship program for ten officers in 2014 growing to 20 in 2015 and beyond.

[...]

The Air Force revised proficiency test scoring policies for missileers to pass/fail at a high standard eliminating the expectation that crew members score 100 percent on every test to advance in their career.

[...]

Secretary Hagel has directed an update to the Personnel Reliability Program (PRP) regulations to remove administrative burden on the service members that fall under this program. Under new guidelines, inspectors will be prevented from questioning judgments made by medical professionals. The rules will also provide some common sense adjustments governing who must be in the PRP program and ensure reliability without imposing bureaucratic red tape that harms the mission.

[...]

The Air Force will replace its ICBM security force helicopter fleet of UH-1s and improve its associated infrastructure. The Air Force will fund nearly 1,100 (military and civilian) billets to fill gaps in operations, maintenance, security and other critical mission areas. Personnel will begin filling these billets as the Air Force Personnel Center can place them. The Air Force is also planning Military Construction to improve the Weapon Storage Facilities (WSF) at four sites beginning with FE Warren Air Force Base over the coming years.

Continuing to include the Reserves in the nuclear mission demonstrates how heavily the DoD is pivoting to the Reserve model.

"[E]liminating the expectation that crew members score 100 percent"? Yeah, right. Does this just mean they're expected to do more bake sales and CGO-of-the-Quarter packages to truly stand out? This is an AF-level cultural problem that won't be fixed with a magical memo or new regulation.

Also, this report was finished at the end of June, but it's just now released.

https://www.defense.gov/pubs/Independent-Nuclear-Enterprise-Review-Report-30-June-2014.pdf It's pretty lengthy, but I'll try to post some highlights later.

[Guest]

https://www.defense.gov/pubs/Independent-Nuclear-Enterprise-Review-Report-30-June-2014.pdf

Highlights of the problems:

The Review consistently heard from the Sailors, Airmen, and Marines on practices and requirements that are burdensome, inefficient, and negatively impacting mission readiness. The issues are frequently associated with the various agencies and staffs that are to provide support to the forces or that are involved in the inspection of these forces. While the most common issue cited was the PRP, other examples included manning, threat assessment, and the impact on security forces, inspection procedures, test equipment, parts support, and technical documentation. The forces see immediate, sometimes draconian, reaction to incidents that create negative publicity, followed after a few months by a return to business as usual. They do not see proactive approaches that resolve the issues negatively impacting their mission needs.[...]Missile crews in various Launch Control Centers (LCCs) cite equipment that remains broken for months or years, work orders that are five-years or more old, and conditions that shut down an LCC which have been repeat issues for a decade. The LCCs are badly in need of an end-to-end survey of discrepancies and an urgent continuing program to address and correct the issues.

A good example of this was the 60 Minutes piece about out-dated and broken equipment.

The mission is too important to fail, so the forces must be ready at all times to execute their essential mission functions. What the forces see, though, are leaders who demand zero mistakes in every operational and administrative action (an impossible expectation that cannot be realized), often unnecessarily and at the expense of sustained mission performance, primarily to reduce the risk of external criticism. The resulting disconnect of micro-perfection comes from a corrupted risk assessment process.

[...]

In many cases, in response to an inspection failure or untoward incident, new burdensome processes are implemented in an attempt to ensure “this never happens again.” This reactive approach has led to a widespread substitution of process and procedure for personal responsibility and commander/supervisor responsibility, authority, and accountability. With the longstanding insistence on perfection on all fronts, a culture has evolved in which commanders accept attempts to eliminate the possibility of error in even non-essential processes and procedures through means that are so cumbersome and inefficient that overall risk to the mission increases. Micro-perfection generates macro-risk to the mission.

[...]

Sailors, Airmen, and Marines who perform the mission see inspection preparation, staff assistance visits, and responses to inspections as supplanting focus on mission performance. They see fear of inspection failure driving commanders’ decisions, in too many cases, more strongly than mission readiness.

[...]

Most commanders acknowledged that continuing these inefficient practices was a defense against inspection findings, instead of providing a useful addition to the commander’s confidence in the fitness of his people for their daily duties.

[...]

Although most units pass their nuclear inspections and assessments, a single issue or a set of minor issues with little or no impact on mission performance can have a significant impact on the unit. Because inspection results have more gravity than mission success, a culture has developed where inspection is the mission.

Well said and most accurate.

A great deal of the report is focused on the solutions, which don't translate well into a forum post because they are very detailed and worded like regulation. The common English wording of the proposed solutions should be generally obvious to anyone with military experience, so just imagine whatever you think the solution is and you're probably right. Here's an example:

The Secretary of the Air Force and the CSAF should: > Establish and institutionalize across Headquarters Air Force and Air Force Materiel Command that responding to Air Force Global Strike Command needs is their highest priority with near-term demonstrations of support that are immediately visible to the nuclear forces.

See? Pretty obvious. I just wanted to stress that the report is not simply doom and gloom, just focusing on what is wrong.

Finally, regarding the new 4-star:

[These issues demonstrate] the critical need to recreate an effective nuclear enterprise with the structure and processes that ensure senior leaders understand the issues addressed in this report.

[...] the Review found a loose federation of separate nuclear activities often imbedded in and indistinguishable from support for and execution of a wide range of non-nuclear activities.

A most interesting conclusion. I'm very intrigued to see if a cultural and operational shift is really possible by re-allocating command from a 3- to 4-star level. Edited November 14, 2014 by deaddebate
Double post

[pawnman]

Mother Jones is a left-leaning publication, but this was a good read:

https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2014/11/air-force-missile-wing-minuteman-iii-nuclear-weapons-burnout

A few months into the modernization program, sewer pipes in two Malmstrom launch facilities ruptured and a deep stew of human waste lingered at the bottom of the capsules. Despite the intolerable stench, the colonel in charge refused to take the units offline for repair. The men were instead ordered to defecate in a cardboard box lined with a plastic bag, but since nobody wanted to carry the box upstairs when it got full, the missileers began relieving themselves from a gangplank directly into the bottom of the capsule. This went on for four or five months. "You are sitting there being told you are operating the most vital system to the defense of the country," says a former missileer who worked in one of the affected capsules, "and then you are shitting and pissing in a bag. It just caused a corrosive lack of faith in our leaders."

[sqwatch]

Mother Jones is a left-leaning publication, but this was a good read:

https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2014/11/air-force-missile-wing-minuteman-iii-nuclear-weapons-burnout

Wow.

I'll remember this the next time I bitch about MICT.