Langley jets grounded next week for safety review
HAMPTON, Va. (AP) -- Langley Air Force Base will ground its jets next week.The Air Force says the service's Air Combat Command has ordered all jet fighters and bombers to remain grounded so airmen can review safety procedures and protocol.
Langley is home to three fighter squadrons, which fly the F-15 Eagle and F-22A Raptor.
Officials say the stand down next Friday was prompted by an August incident where a B-52 bomber was mistakenly armed with six nuclear warheads and flown across several states.The advanced nuclear cruise missiles loaded on the B-52 were scheduled to be decommissioned and were flying from North Dakota to Louisiana.
Officials say the warheads are designed so they don't accidentally detonate. To accidentally load them onto the bomber meant that safety protocols were ignored.
(Copyright 2007 Associated Press. All rights reserved.)
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