Aug. 29Airmen mistakenly load six armed nuclear weapons under the wing of a B-52 and leave on runway without special guard

Aug. 30B-52 takes off on 3.5 hour flight from Minot, N.D. to Barksdale, La. Weapons are discovered and notification of incident goes up chain of command.

Sept. 5Military Times breaks story about incident with info from anonymous sources (Appendix E)

Sept. 5Incident comes up during Q&A portion of Pentagon briefingSept. 1

Defense Secretary Gates notified

Sept. 5New York Times blog The Lede cites Military Times story in report of incident (Appendix G)

Sept. 6Washington Post (Appendix I) and New York Times (Appendix H) run stories about incident, both citing Military Times

Sept. 7Bismarck Tribune runs first story on incident (Appendix J)Military Times story says Minot commander fired as result of incident (Appendix K)The Lede adds ironic post about Minot press release with “Be Safe” theme

Sept. 13Military Times reports AF Secretary Wynne heads to Minot

Sept. 17Bismarck Tribune runs two opinion pieces – one from the mayor defending the base and one calling for a thorough review and major changes

Sept. 23Washington Post publishes “Missteps” article that details initial reports and breakdown of incident

Sept. 28Washington Post story gives interim conclusions regarding the failures that led to the incident

Chronology of communication and media interest over life of Bent Spear

Oct. 18Military Times and Washington Post report that five AF personnel will be fired and several others punished

Oct. 19Defense Dept press conference with MG Newton and AF Sec. Wynne – announces disciplinary actions taken so far and says investigations continue

Oct. 20Washington Post article about press conference has more detailed numbers regarding disciplinary actions than what MG Newton released

Oct. 21Military Times reports that 5th Bomb Wing is decertified from nuclear operations and commanding officer is fired

Oct. 26Bismarck Tribune editorial says Air Force isn’t being transparent about the incident

Dec. 14Bismarck Tribune editorial discusses the upcoming recertification test for 5th Bomb Wing, says AF has to demonstrate competence Jan. 7

Bismarck Tribune reports that 91st Space Wing is preparing for its regular Nuclear Surety Inspection

Jan. 25Bismarck Tribune reports that new policies have been issued regarding the handling of nuclear weapons

Feb. 9Bismarck Tribune reports that 91st passes Nuclear Surety Inspection

Feb. 13Washington Post reports on investigation finding decrease in attention in nuclear operations as culprit for errors

Feb. 14Military Times reports that several AF generals were grilled over the incident at a Congressional panel

Feb. 15New York Times writes editorial on incident.

March 25Defense Dept briefing with AF Sec Wynne, LTG Carter Ham and Ryan Henry discusses shipment of nosecones to TaiwanIssue also comes up at White House briefing with Dana Perino

March 26Washington Post and New York Times report on nuclear parts being mistakenly sent to Taiwan

March 27Washington Post reports that U.S. was initially unconcerned about the erroneous shipment

March 28Bismarck Tribune and Washington Post report that Defense Sec Gates ordered a full inventory of US nuclear equipment

May 31Washington Post reports 5th Bomb Wing fails nuclear inspection

May 30Military Times reports 5th Bomb Wing fails nuclear surety inspection

June 6Washington Post and New York Times report resignation of AF Sec Michael Wynne and Chief Of Staff Gen. Michael Moseley