§ 87. Mr. Haleasked the Minister of Defence why practice in unloading and loading a thermonuclear bomb to an aircraft cannot take place exclusively on the ground; and what are the operational training advantages of carrying the bomb in position in the aeroplane.
§ Mr. SandysNuclear bombs are carried only infrequently in peace time. This 57W is not normally necessary except for special operational exercises or for training exercises which involve moving aircraft from one airfield to another with their weapons. Practice in loading and unloading bombs into aircraft is carried out on the ground. Those general principles apply equally to the Royal Air Force and to the units of the United States Air Force stationed at or visiting bases in the United Kingdom.