Warrens 90th passes nuclear inspection

CHEYENNE, Wyo. - The 90th Missile Wing at F.E. Warren Air Force Base has passed its nuclear inspection after failing an inspection in December, Air Force officials said.

""We have a long history with nuclear surety inspections and traditionally they are extremely difficult to pass "" especially since we have increased the intensity, depth and rigor of our inspections,"" said Col. Scott Gilson, inspector general with the Air Force Space command.

The wing received an overall grade of ""satisfactory"" after a dozen inspectors from the AFSC conducted in the inspection from March 11-13.

""Part of reinvigorating the nuclear enterprise is demanding the absolute highest standards of compliance and accountability. Perfection is the standard for the nuclear enterprise and is the benchmark to which operations are evaluated during these inspections,"" Gilson said.

In December, the wing received an ""unsatisfactory"" grade after an inspection found administrative and paperwork issues.

The 90th Missile Wing oversees dozens of silo-based Minuteman missiles in southeast Wyoming and northern Colorado.

Malmstrom Air Force Base near Great Falls, Mont. , also failed an inspection in November, and received a ""satisfactory"" score after a re-inspection in February. The first Malmstrom inspection found problems with technical operations in the 341st Missile Wing's maintenance groups, along with problems within a program that monitors who can work with nuclear weapons.