Defense secretary scolds Air Force for war effort

Last month Air Force Secretary announced that four Air Force nose cone assemblies designed for use with nuclear missiles were mistakenly shipped to Taiwan in 2006. The error was not verified until shortly before Wynne made the announcement, and the matter is under Pentagon investigation.

Last week the Pentagon said its investigators had found that a $50 million contract to promote the Air Force's Thunderbirds aerial stunt team was tainted by improper influence and preferential treatment. The Defense Department's Inspector General found no criminal conduct, but laid out a trail of communications from Air Force leaders -- including from its top officer, Gen. Michael Moseley -- that eventually influenced the 2005 contract award.