by order of the air force instruction 13-503...

BY ORDER OF THE

SECRETARY OF THE AIR FORCE

AIR FORCE INSTRUCTION 13-503

24 JULY 2017

Nuclear, Space, Missile, Command and

Control

NUCLEAR-CAPABLE UNIT

CERTIFICATION, DECERTIFICATION

AND RESTRICTION PROGRAM

COMPLIANCE WITH THIS PUBLICATION IS MANDATORY

ACCESSIBILITY: This publication is available for on the e-Publishing website at

http://www.ePublishing.af.mil for downloading.

RELEASABILITY: There are no releasability restrictions on this publication.

OPR: AF/A10C

Supersedes: Air Force Instruction 13-503,

02 October 2012

Certified by: AF/A10

(Lt Gen Jack Weinstein)

Pages: 14

This publication implements Air Force Policy Directive (AFPD) 13-5, Air Force Nuclear

Enterprise and is consistent with AFPD 63-1, Acquisition and Sustainment Life Cycle

Management. This instruction applies to all Air Force units that are nuclear-capable, to include

Air Force Reserve Command and Air National Guard units supporting nuclear logistics

requirements. It provides procedures required for nuclear-capable unit certification,

decertification and operational restrictions. Ensure that all records created as a result of processes

prescribed in this publication are maintained in accordance with (IAW) Air Force Manual

(AFMAN) 33-363, Management of Records, and disposed of IAW Air Force Records

Information Management System (AFRIMS) Records Disposition Schedule (RDS), or any

updated statement provided by the AF Records Management office (SAF/CIO A6P). Refer

recommended changes and questions about this publication to the Office of Primary

Responsibility (OPR) using the AF Form 847, Recommendation for Change of Publication.

Route the AF Form 847 from the field through the appropriate functional chain of command.

Major Commands (MAJCOM) must submit all supplements to AF/A10 prior to certification and

approval. The authorities to waive wing/unit level requirements in this publication are identified

with a Tier (“T-0, T-1, T-2, T-3”) number following the compliance statement. See AFI 33-360,

Publications and Forms Management, Table 1.1 for a description of the authorities associated

with the Tier numbers. Submit requests for waivers through the chain of command to the

appropriate Tier waiver approval authority, or alternately, to the publication’s OPR for non-

tiered compliance items.

http://www.epublishing.af.mil/

2 AFI13-503 24 JULY 2017

SUMMARY OF CHANGES

This document has been revised and must be completely reviewed. This revision highlights

AF/A10’s infrastructure change from an Assistant Chief of Staff to a Deputy Chief of Staff,

removes obsolete Limited Nuclear Surety Inspection criteria, identifies tiered waiver authorities

for unit level compliance items, updates Attachment 2 to reflect current contact information, and

incorporates updated publication references.

1. Purpose. This publication codifies the process to inform, facilitate and document Air Force

decisions with regard to operational nuclear certification (initial and recertification),

decertification, and restrictions of Air Force nuclear-capable units

2. Roles and Responsibilities.

2.1. Deputy Chief of Staff (DCS), Strategic Deterrence and Nuclear Integration (AF/A10)

will:

2.1.1. Publish certification and restriction guidance for organizations and units.

2.1.2. Support the Secretary of the Air Force, Inspector General (SAF/IG) in developing

the list of nuclear-capable units as is required under CJCSI 3263.05, Nuclear Weapons

Technical Inspections.

2.1.3. Communicate with Joint Staff and the respective Combatant Command (CCMD)

on situations affecting operational certification, decertification, recertification and

restrictions of nuclear-capable units.

2.2. MAJCOM Commanders (MAJCOM/CC) will:

2.2.1. Conduct a Nuclear Surety Inspection (NSI) as described in CJCSI 3263.05 and

AFI 90-201, The Air Force Inspection System, and use the results of those NSIs as a basis

for operational certification, decertification, or recertification of nuclear-capable units.

2.2.2. Certify or decertify nuclear-capable units in writing. This authority to certify,

decertify or recertify a unit applies to all levels within the command and cannot be

delegated. The commander may delegate authority to place and remove operational

restrictions on units to the Wing Commander.

2.2.3. Notify AF/A10 of all decisions regarding certification, decertification,

recertification and operational restrictions of a nuclear-capable unit.

2.2.4. Notify units when a change to its certification status occurs. Notification of a

unit’s continued certification is not required.

2.2.5. Document operational certifications, decertifications, recertifications and

restrictions of nuclear-capable units with a memorandum (Attachments 3, 4 and 5).

2.2.6. Maintain a library of nuclear-capable certification, decertification and operational

restriction packages and distribute as necessary.

2.2.7. Develop procedures to certify, decertify, recertify, and operationally

restrict/unrestrict nuclear-capable units. For units requiring an Initial Nuclear Surety

Inspection (INSI), develop a training timeline and determine readiness to receive an INSI.

AFI13-503 24 JULY 2017 3

2.2.8. Develop inspection criteria to be used by MAJCOM/IGs, in addition to required

AF inspection criteria.

2.2.9. Develop Public Affairs guidance in coordination with AF/A10 and the Secretary

of the Air Force, the Directorate of Public Affairs (SAF/PA) to address the public release

of information related to nuclear certification, decertification and restrictions.

3. Operational Nuclear Certification. The operational certification of a unit is required prior

to deeming a unit nuclear-capable. A unit is operationally certified when the Lead/Using

Command qualifies/certifies the unit’s personnel to perform mission-specific nuclear tasks (i.e.

maintenance, transport, etc.), certifies personnel in the Personnel Reliability Assurance Program

(PRAP) IAW DoDM5210.42_AFMAN 13-501, trains them in nuclear surety, and assigns a

“Ready” rating following a successful INSI. Additionally, operational certification is required

prior to receiving a new or modified weapon/delivery system or following the decertification of a

nuclear-capable unit.

3.1. The Lead/Using command will determine the need to conduct an INSI as required in

AFI 63-125, Nuclear Certification Program to establish a unit’s operational certification and

readiness, employ a new or modified weapon system, conduct operations in new or modified

maintenance and storage facilities, or resume a nuclear mission. The Lead/Using command

commander will make the ultimate determination in coordination with their respective

MAJCOM Safety Office and the Air Force Safety Center/Weapons Safety Division

(AFSEC/SEW). The MAJCOM/CC will document the decision on whether an INSI is

required. The signed memorandum will be distributed to the units affected and the recipients

listed in Attachment 2.

3.1.1. The MAJCOM/CC, through the designated lead staff agency, will prepare a

training timeline and determine readiness of the unit to receive an INSI.

3.1.2. Initial certification of a unit prior to accepting a new mission or weapons system

will be based on an INSI assessing the unit’s nuclear mission proficiency. The assessment

will consider applicable criteria specified in CJCSI 3263.05 and AFI 90-201.

3.1.3. Assuming all other criteria are met, units will maintain their operational

certification until notified by the MAJCOM/CC. Operational certification will be

continually assessed through NSI criteria specified in CJCSI 3263.05 and AFI 90-201.

4. Decertification. The decertification of a nuclear-capable unit removes all of the unit’s

authorization to employ, assemble, maintain, transport or store war reserve (WR) nuclear

weapons, associated components and certified support equipment.

4.1. Decertification may result from one or more of the following:

4.1.1. Unsatisfactory results of a NSI conducted by the MAJCOM/IG.

4.1.2. Accident(s)/incident(s) that directly or indirectly affect the safety, security,

effectiveness and control of nuclear weapons

4.1.2.1. If required, Command Post personnel will transmit an Air Force Operational

Report (AF OPREP-3) IAW AFI 10-206, Operational Reporting. (T-0).

4.1.3. The unit’s inability to comply with requirements in DoD Nuclear Weapons System

Surety Standards and/or the appropriate AFI 91-11X Weapon System Safety Rule.

4 AFI13-503 24 JULY 2017

4.1.4. Commander’s assessment results in lack of confidence in unit’s operational

capability.

4.2. A nuclear-capable unit must be decertified if it does not receive a Nuclear Weapons

Technical Inspection (NWTI) within the time limits specified in CJCSI 3263.05.

4.3. The MAJCOM/CC is responsible for ensuring the safety and security of all nuclear

assets during the interim period between decertification and recertification and will develop

and implement mitigation measures that ensure safe, secure and effective WR assets.

4.4. The MAJCOM/CC will document decertification via memorandum (Attachment 4) and

will include, as a minimum, the following:

4.4.1. Unit decertified, specific reason(s), and any prohibited activities.

4.4.2. Specific actions unit personnel must perform to ensure the safety and security of

any assigned nuclear weapons. For example, allow the Security Forces Squadron (SFS) to

continue providing required security measures, although the SFS’s parent wing has been

decertified.

4.4.3. Unambiguous information to the unit commander on the specific reasons for

decertification.

4.4.4. A MAJCOM-developed training plan (in coordination with the decertified unit) to

correct deficiencies identified in the decertification memorandum. The plan should

include a projected timeline for completion.

4.4.5. MAJCOM/CC direction to conduct a re-inspection and use the results as the basis

for re-certifying a decertified nuclear-capable unit if desired.

4.4.6. The decertification memorandum will be classified, properly marked and handled

IAW AFI 16-1404, Air Force Information Security Program and sent to the unit

commander and the recipients in Attachment 2.

4.5. Upon resolution of the issue(s) that resulted in decertification, the MAJCOM/CC will

document recertification using the memorandum in Attachment 5. Distribute memorandum

to the unit commander and the recipients in Attachment 2.

5. Operational restrictions. Operational restrictions remove the unit’s authority to perform

specific actions directly related to safe, secure and reliable operations involving nuclear

weapons. They restrict specific actions, but do not decertify the nuclear-capable unit.

5.1. Operational restrictions are implemented immediately upon notification from the

MAJCOM/CC or the delegated authority. Either the MAJCOM/CC or the delegated authority

will document the specific operational restriction(s) by memorandum (Attachment 5) and

distribute to the unit commander and the recipients in Attachment 2.

5.2. The restricted unit, in coordination with MAJCOM functional staff, will develop a

corrective plan to address deficiencies identified in the operational restriction memorandum.

5.3. The MAJCOM functional staff will develop criteria, training, and methods required for

the unit to resume unrestricted operations.

5.4. Operational restriction(s) are removed when the unit is notified by the MAJCOM/CC or

delegated authority. MAJCOM Safety Office will document removal of operational

AFI13-503 24 JULY 2017 5

restrictions by memorandum (Attachment 6) and distribute to the unit commander and the

recipients in Attachment 2.

JACK WEINSTEIN, Lt Gen, USAF

DCS, Strategic Deterrence & Nuclear Integration

6 AFI13-503 24 JULY 2017

Attachment 1

GLOSSARY OF REFERENCES AND SUPPORTING INFORMATION

References

DoDD 3150.02, DoD Nuclear Weapons Surety Program, 24 April 2013, Incoporating Change 2,

12 May 2016

DoDM5210.42_AFMAN 13-501, Nuclear Weapons Personnel Reliability Program, 09 Mar

2017

CJCSI 3263.05C, Nuclear Weapons Technical Inspections, 10 March 2017

AFPD 13-5, Air Force Nuclear Enterprise, 29 Jun 2017

AFPD 63-1, Integrated Life Cycle Management, 03 June 2016

AFI 10-206, Operational Reporting, 11 June 2014

AFI 33-360, Publications and Forms Management, 01 December 2015, Incoporating AFI 33-

360_AFGM2016-01, 30 November 2016

AFI 63-125, Nuclear Certification Program, 08 August 2012

AFI 90-201, The Air Force Inspection System, 21 April 2015, Incoporating Change 1, 11

February 2016, Incoporating AFGM 2017-01, 26 January 2016

AFI 91-102, Nuclear Weapons System Safety Studies, Operational Safety Reviews, and Safety

Rules, 12 April 2017

AFMAN 33-363, Management of Records, 01 March 2008, Incoporating Change 2, 09 June

2016, Incorporating AFMAN33-363_AFGM2017-01, 02 Jun 2017

Prescribed and Adopted Forms

AF Form 847, Recommendation for Changes of Publication, 22 September 2009

Abbreviation and Acronyms

AF—Air Force

AFI—Air Force Instruction

AFPD—Air Force Publication Directive

AFMAN—Air Force Manual

AFRIMS—Air Force Records and Information Management System

AFSEC—Air Force Safety Center

CJCSI—Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Instruction

CCMD—Combatant Command

DCS—Deputy Chief of Staff

DoD—Department of Defense

AFI13-503 24 JULY 2017 7

DoDD—Department of Defense Directive

DTG—Date Time Group

DTRA—Defense Threat Reduction Agency

HHQ—Higher Headquarters

IG—Inspector General

INSI—Initial Nuclear Surety Inspection

MAJCOM—Major Command

NSI—Nuclear Surety Inspection

NWTI—Nuclear Weapons Technical Inspection

OPR—Office of primary responsibility

OPREP—Operational Report

RDS—Records Disposition Schedule

SEW—Weapons Safety Division

USEUCOM—United States European Command

USSTRATCOM—United States Strategic Command

WR—War Reserve

Terms

Initial Nuclear Surety Inspection (INSI)—An inspection to evaluate a unit’s readiness to

assume or resume a nuclear mission or to evaluate and certify new or significantly modified

maintenance and storage facilities or significant changes to weapons systems or portions thereof.

Major Graded Area (MGA)—Key processes, procedures or requirements based on legal

requirements, executive orders, DoD directives (DoDD), Air Force, MAJCOM or applicable Air

National Guard Instructions.

Nuclear-Capable Unit—A unit or an activity assigned responsibilities for employing,

assembling, maintaining, transporting or storing WR nuclear weapons, their associated

components and ancillary equipment.

Nuclear Surety Inspection (NSI)—A compliance-based inspection conducted to evaluate a

unit's ability to manage nuclear resources while complying with all nuclear surety standards.

Reliability—The ability of a system and system parts to perform their mission without failure,

degradation, or demand on the support system. (USAF)

Unit—For the purposes of this Instruction, a “unit” is defined as a squadron, group, or wing.

8 AFI13-503 24 JULY 2017

Attachment 2

NUCLEAR CERTIFICATION/DECERTIFICATION AND OPERATIONAL

RESTRICTION RECIPIENTS REFERENCE

Table A2.1. Air Staff

AIR STAFF

SAF/LLW

1160 Air Force Pentagon (Room 4B852A)

Washington, DC 20330-1160

SIPR:

USAF Pentagon SAF-LL Mailbox SAF-LL

SAF-LLW Workflow MBX

SAF/IG

1140 Air Force Pentagon


SIPR:

AF Pentagon SAF-IG SAF-IGI Workflow MBX

AF/A3



SIPR:

USAF Pentagon AF-A3 Mailbox A3

Workflow

AF/A4



SIPR:

AF Pentagon AF-A4 Mailbox A4L Workflow

AF/A10



SIPR:

USAF Pentagon AF-A10 Mailbox AF-A10

AF-A10-C Workflow MBX

AF/SE



SIPR:

USAF Pentagon AF-SE Mailbox AF-SE AF-SE

Workflow MBX

Table A2.2. Agencies and Centers

AGENCIES & CENTERS

AFIA/OV/NI

9700 Ave G SE, Suite 340

Kirtland AFB, NM 87117-5670

SIPR:

USAF Kirtland AFB AFMC Mailbox

AFIA OV Workflow Mailbox

AFSEC/SEW

9700 Ave G SE


SIPR:

USAF Kirtland AFB AFMC Mailbox HQ

AFSEC SEW Organizational Mailbox

DTRA/J10IEI

1680 Texas St SE


SIPR:

DTRA Kirtland AFB J10 List J10NLL

ALL (SIPR Distro List)

AFI13-503 24 JULY 2017 9

Table A2.3. Combatant Commands

COMBATANT COMMANDS

USSTRATCOM/JFCC-GS 901 SAC Blvd, Ste 1F22 Offutt AFB NE

68113-6090

SIPR:

NUCLEARCURRENTOPSDO@STRATC

OM.SMIL.MIL

HQ USEUCOM/ECJ3

Unit 30400, APO AE 09131-0400

SIPR:

EUCOM Stuttgart ECJ3 Mailbox J3

Table A2.4. Major Command

MAJOR COMMAND

ACC/A10

190 Dodd Boulevard

Joint Base Langley-Eustis VA 23665-1942

SIPR:USAF JBLE ACC A10 Mailbox

ACC A10 workflow

ACC/IG

205 Thornell Ave, Ste 131

Joint Base Langley-Eustis VA 23665-2734

SIPR: usaf.jble.acc-ig.mbx.accige-executive-

[email protected]

AFGSC/A4

841 Fairchild Ave, Bldg 5541

Barksdale AFB, LA 71110-2145

SIPR:

USAF Barksdale AFB AFGSC Mailbox

AFGSC A4 7 Workflow

AFGSC/IG

245 Davis Ave, Ste 200

Barksdale AFB, LA 71110

SIPR:

USAF Barksdale AFB AFGSC Mailbox AFGSC

IG Workflow

AMC A3/A10N

510 POW-MIA Drive, Suite 105

Scott AFB, IL 62225-5020

SIPR:

USAF Scott AFB AMC A3 Mailbox AMC

A3N Nuclear Operations Division

AMC/IG

304 W. Birchard St.

Scott AFB, IL 62225

SIPR:

USAF Scott AFB AMC IG Mailbox AMC IG

Inspector General

USAFE/A10N

Unit 3050 Box 15

APO, AE 09094-0015

SIPR:

USAF Ramstein AB USAFE Mailbox

A10N Nuclear Operations

USAFE/IG

Unit 3281

APO AE 09094-5060

SIPR:

USAF Ramstein AB USAFE Mailbox IG Gate

Keeper

AFRC/A3N/SEW

155 Richard Ray Blvd

Robins AFB, GA 31098-1661

SIPR: usaf.warnerrobins.afrc.mbx.a3n-org-

[email protected]

AFRC/IG

255 Richard Ray Blvd Bldg 220

Robins AFB, GA 31098-1661

SIPR: usaf.warnerrobins.afrc.mbx.ig-

[email protected]

10 AFI13-503 24 JULY 2017

Attachment 3

EXAMPLE OF NUCLEAR CERTIFICATION MEMORANDUM

Figure A3.1. Example of Nuclear Certification Memorandum

AFI13-503 24 JULY 2017 11

Attachment 4

EXAMPLE OF NUCLEAR DECERTIFICATION AND/OR OPERATIONAL

RESTRICTION MEMORANDUM

Figure A4.1. Example of Nuclear Decertification and/or Operational Restriction

Memorandum, Pg 1.

12 AFI13-503 24 JULY 2017

Figure A4.2. Example of Nuclear Decertification and/or Operational Restriction

Memorandum, Pg 2.

AFI13-503 24 JULY 2017 13

Attachment 5

EXAMPLE OF NUCLEAR RECERTIFICATION MEMORANDUM

Figure A5.1. Example of Nuclear Recertification Memorandum

14 AFI13-503 24 JULY 2017

Figure A5.2. Example of Removal of Restrictions Memorandum

by order of the air force instruction 13-503...

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