Maj. Gen. Kathleen Close, one of the six general officers the Air Force just disciplined following the mistaken shipment of ICBM parts to Taiwan, released a public statement, acknowledging her acceptance of the rebuke. The Salt Lake Tribune printed her statement, in which she said, “I take full responsibility for the deficiency issues uncovered within the 309th Maintenance Wing. … I and all members of Team Hill fully support the Secretary of the Air Force and the Chief of Staff’s initiatives to restore accountability at all levels for the Air Force’s nuclear mission. The safety, security, and reliability of our nuclear weapons is paramount.” She declared her commitment to “actively working” on new efforts to “maintain positive control of nuclear weapons-related components,” saying that “much work has been done since March 21, 2008,” when the issue came to light.
Airmen and Guardians in the Active and Reserve component, as well as civilian employees, in “mission critical and high-risk populations” are now required to receive influenza vaccinations annually to “preserve force readiness,” according to a recent Department of the Air Force memo.