For all its growing missile prowess, the U.S. still keeps squadrons of nuclear-armed B-52s constantly patrolling the skies within reach of Communist borders, both to respond to any nuclear attack and to act as a deterrent to one. In the course of their duties, on land and in the air, the B-52s have had twelve announced nuclear-weapons "mishaps," the most famous being the collision of a B-52 and a refueling tanker over Palomares, Spain, in 1966.
Last week No. 13 occurred. One of the huge eight-engine bombers, patrolling the Arctic stratosphere on an air-alert mission, caught fire and headed for...
To continue reading:
or
Log-In
