Air Force Firing General In Charge Of All Its Nuclear Missiles

FILE - This undated handout photo made available by the Department Of Defense shows a U.S. Air Force B-52 bomber dropping conventional weapons. As of mid-2010, the United States deploys 316 nuclear bombs and nuclear ... FILE - This undated handout photo made available by the Department Of Defense shows a U.S. Air Force B-52 bomber dropping conventional weapons. As of mid-2010, the United States deploys 316 nuclear bombs and nuclear cruise missiles on some 60 strategic bombers. A movement is growing worldwide to abolish nuclear weapons, encouraged by President Barack Obama's endorsement of that goal. But "realists" argue that more stability and peace must first be achieved in the world. (AP Photo/U.S. Department of Defense) MORE LESS
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WASHINGTON (AP) — Officials tell The Associated Press that the Air Force is firing the two-star general in charge of all of its nuclear missiles.

Maj. Gen. Michael Carey is being removed from command of the 20th Air Force, which is responsible for three wings of intercontinental ballistic missiles — a total of 450 missiles at three bases across the country.

The Air Force is citing “loss of trust and confidence” in Carey’s leadership, but the exact reason for the firing was not immediately clear. The decision was disclosed to the AP by officials speaking on condition of anonymity because it has not been announced.

The decision was made by Lt. Gen. James Kowalski, commander of Air Force Global Strike Command. Kowalski is in charge of all Air Force nuclear weapons, including bombers.

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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