Air Force Fires General in Charge of ICBMs

The Air Force said today it fired the two-star general from command of its nuclear missiles in response to an investigation into alleged personal misbehavior. It was the second sacking this week of a senior commander of nuclear forces. Maj. Gen. Michael Carey was removed from command of the 20th Air Force, which is responsible for three wings of intercontinental ballistic missiles—a total of 450 missiles at three bases across the country.

An internal email obtained by the AP said the allegations against Carey stem from an inspector general probe of his behavior while on an unspecified "temporary duty assignment." The email said the allegations are not related to the operational readiness of the ICBM force or recent failed inspections of ICBM units. An Air Force spokesman would not provide details about the alleged misbehavior by Carey except to say it does not involve sexual misconduct. On Wednesday, the second-in-command at US Strategic Command, Vice Adm. Tim Giardina, was relieved of command amid an investigation into gambling issues. (More Tim Giardina stories.)