Officials says the COVID-19 pandemic won't affect nuclear preparedness, but military exercises and deployments are being scaled down and canceled, and plans are being put in place to sustain essential operations.
U.S. Air National Guard Tech. Sgt. Justin Aeckerle, a B-2 crew chief assigned to the 131st Maintenance Squadron, salutes B-2 Spirit pilot before takeoff at Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, March 8, 2020. The B-2"Spirit of Washington" launched from Whiteman AFB to support U.S. Strategic Command Bomber Task Force operations in Europe. The 131s Bomb Wing’s 131st MXS is the total-force partner unit to the 509th Bomb Wing.
Adm. Richard said that his Omaha, Nebraska-based command"had plans in place that we have updated and are executing,'' to deal with a pandemic. The nuclear force, he said, was designed to operate isolated for long periods of time. An example of those operations is the deployment of the three B-2 stealth bombers to Europe on March 8, the bombers and their maintainers first landing atin the Azores, an archipelago of nine islands 850 miles off the coast of Portugal. The next day, the bombers flew to RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire in the southwest U.K.
As for the nuclear arsenal itself, the Department of Energy, which is responsible for the nuclear warheads, said last week that it would continue"its National Essential Functions, Primary Mission Essential Functions, and Mission Essential Functions" despite coronavirus shifts to telework and other social distancing operations.
Though U.S. European Command says its readiness remains high"for the foreseeable future," it admits it is already curtailing numerous military exercises due to coronavirus. In the coming months, Gen. Tod Wolters, overall European commander says, it is likely that between 30 and 65 percent of exercises will be reduced or canceled.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
6 Ways To Protect Your Business During The Coronavirus OutbreakAs a business owner, these are unprecedented times - Here are six ways to ease the burden for everyone involved
Read more »
Food Delivery Amid Coronavirus: Here’s How To Protect Your DinnerRestaurants have since undergone a seismic shift, as cities across the country force them to stop serving dine-in customers. Restaurants are now more reliant on delivery than ever before – and are coming up with new ways to insure hygiene and trust with their customers.
Read more »
2020 Olympics Postponed Amid Coronavirus PandemicThe Tokyo 2020 Games have been postponed amid the widespread coronavirus pandemic — read more
Read more »
Taylor Swift Says This Is What That Leaked Kanye West Phone Call ProvesThe superstar also used her 'response' to urge her fans to donate amid coronavirus crisis.
Read more »
Rouhani: U.S. should lift sanctions if it wants to help Iran amid coronavirusThe United States should lift sanctions if Washington wants to help Iran to cont...
Read more »