A mistake in loading procedures on the ground sent five nuclear warheads on a flight from Minot to Louisiana last week.

Officials at Minot Air Force Base tell the Air Force Times online newspaper that members of the ground crew responsible for mistakenly loading the nuclear weapons onto the B-52 bomber's wings have been temporarily decertified from doing their duties involving weapons.

In addition, Pentagon officials who spoke on condition of anonymity say the munitions commander involved in the incident has been fired. According to the Air Force Times, the B-52 flew from Minot Air Force Base to the only other B-52 base in the nation, Barksdale Air Force Base, on August 30th.

The newspaper says the bomber was mistakenly loaded with six Advanced Cruise Missiles.

An Air Force official says there was no danger to the public. The main problem, according to a former Defense Department official, was that the Air Force was not aware of the nuclear missiles on the flight and would not have handled it with the proper safeguards in case of an emergency.

He said there was no danger of a nuclear detonation, even in the event of a crash.

The Air Combat Command has ordered a command-wide stand down on Sept. 14th to review procedures. watch the video | save this article / add to your favorites list