Non Strategic Nuclear Weapons - Federation of American Scientists

U.S. Non-Strategic Nuclear Weapons
The 701 st MUNSS at Kleine Brogel AB consists of 137 active duty personnel from
19 separate USAF Specialty Codes to “provide custody operations for a level one stockpile
and an annual budget of $200K.” The cost of maintaining the property occupied by
the MUNSS personnel is paid for by the Belgian Air Force. 46 The unit oversees a “$5.5
million weapons storage and security system,” 47 and “is responsible for more than $2.5
million is security vehicles, munitions, and other equipment providing direct support to
NATO’s strike mission.” The Custody Flight Training Section manages “$135.000 worth
of arms, ammunition and equipment,” 48 and the MUNSS maintains “two $250.000
weapons maintenance trucks.” 49
The 702 nd MUNSS at Buechel AB has approximately 139 active duty military personnel
from 20 USAF Specialty Codes, as well as eight other employees. The unit is responsible
for “ownership, custody, maintenance, and release of a level 1 stockpile with an
annual budget of $200K.” The German Air Force pays for the property occupied by the
U.S. personnel. 50
The 703 rd MUNSS at Volkel AB consists of 140 active duty personnel from 24
USAF Specialty Codes. 51 The unit provides security “and custody for a half-billion dollar
special weapons stockpile and maintains continuous custody of Air Force resources
through the operation of a $6.5 million weapon storage and security system.” 52
The 704 th MUNSS at Ghedi Torre AB in Italy includes approximately 134 personnel
and has an annual budget of $200,000. Unlike the other three national bases, Ghedi does
not have personnel support facilities or billeting for U.S. forces. 53 It is unclear how this
affects security at the base. Around 2005, Ghedi was said to have “$100 million in US
weapons and related hardware” and a “$20 million Weapon Security Storage System
(WS3).” 54
It is unknown how much each of the four host countries spends on maintaining the
nuclear bases and fighter aircraft and personnel required to perform the NATO nuclear
strike mission. But cost is a significant issue now because all of the national aircraft are
reaching the end of their service life and need to be replaced in the near future. Due to the
financial crisis and its effects of overall defense budgets, it is highly unlikely that national
46 U.S. Air Force, “Fact Sheet: 701ST Munitions Support Squadron,” [as of May 11, 2007], accessed April 19, 2012, available
at http:// www.spangdahlem.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=8419
47 U.S. Air Force, “52 nd Munitions Maintenance Group,” Eifel Salutes, Eifel Times, June 15, 2007, p. 2.
48 U.S. Air Force, “Top Saber Performer,” and “Top Saber Team,” Eifel Elite, Eifel Times, September 2, 2005, p. 3.
49 U.S. Air Force, “Eifel Salutes: 38 th Munitions Maintenance Group,” Eifel Elite, Eifel Times, January 28, 2005, p. 3.
50 U.S. Air Force, “Fact Sheet: 702 nd Munitions Support Squadron,” [as of October 21, 2010], accessed April 19, 2012,
available at http:// www.spangdahlem.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=8418
51 U.S. Air Force, “Fact Sheet: 703 rd Munitions Support Squadron,” [as of May 11, 2007], accessed April 19, 2012, available
at http:// www.spangdahlem.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=8417
52 “38 th Munitions Maintenance group,” Eifel Elite, Eifel Times, June 10, 2005, p. 3.
53 U.S. Air Force, “Fact Sheet: 704 th Munitions Support Squadron,” [as of May 11, 2007], accessed April 19, 2012, available
at http:// www.spangdahlem.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=8416
54 Resumé, Frederich F. Noecker II, n.d. [2005?], p. 3.
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