Security Incidents

In January 2001 Sandia responded to a US Air Force "Dull Sword," a low-level incident involving a nuclear weapon. The incident occurred when uncharacterized electrical energy surged through a Minuteman III missile weapon system in its silo. Sandians immediately responded with engineering support from several organizations. Deploying on site, the Sandians assisted in the evaluation and disposition of the warheads. There was no apparent damage to the warheads, and they have been safely transferred to DOE/NNSA custody awaiting further disassembly and inspection. Sandia continues to guide the warhead inspection effort.

This category includes, but is not limited to, security incidents, Helping Hand/Covered Wagon incidents, Dull Sword incidents, unlawful entry to aircraft, sabotage or attempted sabotage to AF aircraft, any breech of aircraft security, acts of vandalism directed at AF priority resources, unauthorized entry into restricted areas, hijacking or attempts, unauthorized entry into a launch facility (LF), significant security incidents at AF sponsored air shows, and any damage to aircraft.

• Security Incident -- Unauthorized Entry to Military Airlift Aircraft, Davis-Monthan AFB AZ, August 1990.
• Security Incident -- Damage to a C-5 Aircraft, Dover AFB DE, February 1992.
• Security Incident -- Unauthorized Entry to Minuteman Launch Facility, Ellsworth AFB SD, April 1988.
• Security Incident -- Vandalism on a Deployed B-52 Aircraft, RAF Fairford England, March 1992.
• Security Incident -- Attempt to Crash Vehicle into a Parked C-5A Aircraft, RAF Greenham Common England, November 1983.
• Security Incident -- Unauthorized Entry to Flightline, Holloman AFB NM, November 1992.
• Security Incident -- Damage to a C-141B Aircraft, Holloman AFB NM, December 1992.
• Security Incident -- DUI/Unauthorized Entry to Flightline, Robins AFB GA, August 1991.
• Security Incident -- Unauthorized Entry to Military Airlift Aircraft, March AFB CA, August 1990.
• Security Incident -- Reporter Alleges Inadequate Nuclear Security, 1977.
• Security Incident -- Unauthorized Entry to a Restricted Area/Alleged Attempted hijacking of a USAF Aircraft, Mt Home AFB ID, March 1986.
• Security Incident -- Sabotage to an A-7 Aircraft, Muniz ANG Base PR, January 1981.
• Security Incident -- Sabotage to an A-7 Aircraft, Muniz ANG Base PR, March 1991.
• Security Incident -- Attempted Vandalism to an F-117A, Oshkosh Air Show, Nekemi WI, July 1990.
• Security Incident -- Sabotage to Alert B-52, Robins AFB GA, February 1978.
• Security Incident -- Vandalism to NAVSTAR GPS, Seal Beach CA, May 1992.
• Security Incident -- Unauthorized Entry/Vandalism to an F-111E, RAF Upper Heyford UK, March 1990.
• Security Incident -- B-2 Naming Ceremony, Hickam AFB HI, Memorial Day 1996.