The U.S. Air Force says a nuclear-armed missile was damaged in its launch silo in 2014 due to maintenance errors by three airmen who were stripped of their nuclear certification over the incident, according to a new Associated Press report.
The accident on May 17, 2014, triggered an investigation, but the Air Force only explained the consequences on January 22 following questions by AP, the news agency reported.
The Air Force said the accident did not put public safety at risk, and the damaged missile was removed from its silo, according to the report.
AP reported that the Air Force provided the news agency with a brief summary of the results of the investigation into the accident.
The launch site in question is operated by the 320th Missile Squadron of the 90th Missile Wing in a remote area of northeastern Colorado, AP reported.