Question Regarding Nukes Over America and Use of Nuclear Force Authorization.

paparush

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Mon Sep-10-07 06:14 PM
Original message

Question Regarding Nukes Over America and Use of Nuclear Force Authorization.

Regarding the Nukes on the B-52 - Is there any delineation in the authorization chain of command for these 'tactical / dial-a-yield' nukes?

I'm making the assumption that only the President can authorize the release of sub-launched and silo-base ICMBS.

Do these nuclear capable Tomahawks come under any different level of authorization? Would the President have to authorize their use?

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Rick Myers

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Mon Sep-10-07 06:17 PM
Response to Original message

1. It's hard to know any specifics...

Edited on Mon Sep-10-07 06:41 PM by Rick Myers

We do know that Bush AND Cheney have the ability to give a 'go-code' and it's believed the SefDef could also do the same. All this stuff is layed out in various OPLANS and the legendary SIOP, and there MAY be conditions where theatre commanders could be given control. It's all very fuzzy...

on edit: The OPLANS and SIOP are basically a MENU of responses.

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SteppingRazor

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Mon Sep-10-07 06:19 PM
Response to Original message

2. I believe exact delegation of nuclear authorization is classified

However, in Cold War administrations, the executive orders of many of which have been declassified, the commander in chief of Strategic Air Command was authorized to use nuclear weapons if America was nuked and the president couldn't be reached. I imagine there are similar contingency plans around today. But, especially without the possibility of total nuclear war as in the time of the Cold War, as a general rule, any use of nukes would have to be approved by the president, even as a counterattack.

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Rick Myers

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Mon Sep-10-07 06:27 PM
Response to Reply #2

3. Bush signed an executive order giving Cheney the power to take command

Edited on Mon Sep-10-07 06:34 PM by Rick Myers

thru the Secret Service in the event of any National Special Security Event. I'll dig for the specifics...

on edit: There have been times when both the US and Russians have delegated some authority to field commanders. That was a long time ago. However, these chowderheads could have changed everything, since the Bush Doctrine allows for unilateral first-use of nuclear weapons. I'm NOT kidding...

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bananas

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Mon Sep-10-07 06:30 PM
Response to Reply #3

4. I was just thinking of that. nt

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angrycarpenter

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Mon Sep-10-07 06:40 PM
Response to Original message

5. Good question

I was thinking the same thing myself. silos and subs have elaborate systems to support the launch of missiles and these systems have been in place for years. But according to the air force nukes have not been carried on b52's for decades yet here they are hanging from the wings of this bomber that certainly has the ability to launch them. It makes sense that if they are loaded they already have authorization to launch so theoretically if they are loaded they can be launched by the crew alone. Sending launch codes over the radio is not entirely safe and I would imagine that the only transmission would be an order to abort launch. I may be wrong I am just guessing.

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Rick Myers

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Mon Sep-10-07 06:42 PM
Response to Reply #5

6. Radio traffic to nuke units is VERY secure...

I would take a full-on WAR to disrupt those channels.

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angrycarpenter

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Mon Sep-10-07 06:53 PM
Response to Reply #6

7. yes but I was wondering if they have nuclear safe guarding

equipment on a bomber that hasn't carried nukes since the 60's or if they are put aboard live just like an everyday cruise missile.

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slackmaster

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Mon Sep-10-07 06:57 PM
Response to Original message

8. Someone lower than the President can order retaliation under certain conditions

Edited on Mon Sep-10-07 06:57 PM by slackmaster

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Rick Myers

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Mon Sep-10-07 07:11 PM
Response to Reply #8

9. Ah yes... Wing Attack Plan R

Major T. J. "King" Kong:

Well, I've been to one world fair, a picnic, and a rodeo, and that's the stupidest thing I ever heard come over a set of earphones. You sure you got today's codes?

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