TURNER LAUDS HAGEL’S CALL FOR REVIEW OF AIR FORCE NUCLEAR MISSION

Rep. Mike Turner (R-Ohio), the chairman of the House Armed Services Tactical Air and Land Forces Subcommittee, lauded Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel’s decision to launch a pair of reviews of the Air Force’s nuclear mission. “I am pleased to see the Department of Defense’s announcement of several proactive measures to begin addressing personnel failures within the nuclear enterprise,” Turner said in a statement Friday. “It is critical that we address any systemic failures in the training or management approaches we are currently using for the men and women who support the nuclear mission. Maintaining a safe, secure, reliable and effective nuclear force is vital to our national security strategy. I am committed to fixing these issues and look forward to hearing the Secretary’s recommendations following an independent review.” Hagel called for the reviews in the wake of a series of incidents among the Air Force’s nuclear mission, capped by recent revelations of cheating by members of the ICBM corps on proficiency exams. Hagel said he was convening a meeting of top officials, with an action plan to address any issues due in 60 days, and a separate independent review is due in 90 days.