This timeline augments @higginbomb's thesis presentation on the Air Force's crisis communication. The presentation can be found at http://storify.com/higginbomb/lost-missiles-and-lost-messages

1. Sept. 5
Aug. 29 New York Times blog
Airmen mistakenly load The Lede cites Military Sept. 17
six armed nuclear Times story in report of Bismarck Tribune runs two opinion
weapons under the wing incident (Appendix G) pieces – one from the mayor
of a B-52 and leave on defending the base and one calling
runway without special Sept. 6 for a thorough review and major
guard Washington Post (Appendix Sept. 28
changes
Sept. 5 I) and New York Times Washington Post story gives
Military Times breaks (Appendix H) run stories interim conclusions regarding the
story about incident about incident, both citing failures that led to the incident
with info from Military Times
anonymous sources
(Appendix E)
Sept. 5
Incident comes up Sept. 13 Sept. 23
during Q&A Military Times Washington Post
portion of reports AF Secretary publishes “Missteps”
Pentagon briefing Wynne heads to article that details
Sept. 1 Minot initial reports and
Defense Secretary breakdown of
Gates notified Sept. 7
incident
Bismarck Tribune runs first story
Aug. 30 on incident (Appendix J)
B-52 takes off on 3.5 hour flight Military Times story says Minot
from Minot, N.D. to Barksdale,
La. Weapons are discovered
commander fired as result of
incident (Appendix K)
Chronology of communication and
and notification of incident The Lede adds ironic post about media interest over life of Bent Spear
goes up chain of command. Minot press release with “Be
Safe” theme

2. Oct. 18 Dec. 14
Military Times and Bismarck Tribune editorial
Washington Post discusses the upcoming
report that five AF recertification test for 5th
personnel will be Bomb Wing, says AF has
fired and several to demonstrate
others punished competence Jan. 7
Oct. 21 Bismarck Tribune reports that 91st
Military Times reports Space Wing is preparing for its
that 5th Bomb Wing is regular Nuclear Surety Inspection
decertified from Feb. 13
nuclear operations and Washington Post reports on
commanding officer is investigation finding
fired decrease in attention in
nuclear operations as culprit
for errors
Feb. 15
New York Times writes
Oct. 26 editorial on incident.
Bismarck Tribune editorial says Air
Feb. 14
Force isn’t being transparent
Military Times reports that
about the incident
several AF generals were
Oct. 20 grilled over the incident at a
Washington Post article about press Congressional panel
conference has more detailed Feb. 9
numbers regarding disciplinary Bismarck Tribune reports
actions than what MG Newton that 91st passes Nuclear
released Surety Inspection
Oct. 19 Jan. 25
Defense Dept press conference with MG Bismarck Tribune reports that
Newton and AF Sec. Wynne – announces new policies have been issued
disciplinary actions taken so far and says regarding the handling of
investigations continue nuclear weapons

3. March 25 May 30
Defense Dept briefing with AF Sec Military Times reports 5th Bomb Wing fails
Wynne, LTG Carter Ham and Ryan nuclear surety inspection
Henry discusses shipment of nosecones
to Taiwan
Issue also comes up at White House
briefing with Dana Perino May 31
Washington Post reports 5th Bomb
March 26 Wing fails nuclear inspection
Washington Post and
New York Times report
on nuclear parts being
mistakenly sent to
Taiwan
June 6
March 28 Washington Post and New
Bismarck Tribune and York Times report
Washington Post report resignation of AF Sec
that Defense Sec Gates Michael Wynne and Chief Of
ordered a full inventory of Staff Gen. Michael Moseley
US nuclear equipment
March 27
Washington Post reports that U.S.
was initially unconcerned about
the erroneous shipment