“Nuclear Weapon Accident Response Overview”
Flag Words for Accidents and Incidents Involving Nuclear Weapons
- NUCFLASH
- BROKEN ARROW
- EMPTY QUIVER
- BENT SPEAR
- DULL SWORD
- PINNACLE FADED GIANT
- BEELINE FADED GIANT
Nuclear weapon accident defined as
An unexpected event due to accidental circumstances involving
U.S. nuclear weapons or weapon components that result in the
following:
Errors committed in assembly, testing, loading, transportation of
equipment or the malfunctioning of equipment and material that
could lead to unintentional operation of all or part of the weapon
arming or firing sequence or could lead to a substantial change in
yield or increased dud probability.
Accidental or unauthorized launching, firing, use by U.S. forces or
U.S. supported allied forces, of a nuclear capable weapon system
that risks war.
Loss or destruction of nuclear weapon or weapon component,
including jettisoning.
Increased probability of explosion, nuclear detonation or
radioactive contamination.
Non-nuclear detonation or burning of a nuclear weapon or
component.
Public hazard, actual or implied.
Any act of God, unfavorable environment or condition resulting in
damage to the weapon, facility or component.
Los Alamos National Lab, July 9, 2020, document linked here: https://permalink.lanl.gov/object/tr?what=info:lanl-repo/lareport/LA-UR-20-25060
“The Palomares Incident,” January 17, 1966:, B52 Bomber accident during refueling, with lost nuclear weapons and bombs hitting the ground at Palomares, Spain – radioactive material, including plutonium, was buried at the Savannah River Plant in the low-level waste dump (uh, burial ground).
“Secret military, nuclear history. in Jan 1966 a B52 bomber with 4 hydrogen bombs crashed into a KC135 re-fueling aircraft and the fiery wreckage hit the small Spanish town of Palomares. This ‘Broken Arrow’ incident spread plutonium across the town and fields of Spain. Leading to the withdrawal of USAF from all Spanish bases.”