Two Pantex Plant employees examine the final B53 bomb prior to its dismantling. | Photo Courtesy of NNSA.
I was honored to have the opportunity today to watch the dismantling of the final B53 bomb at the Pantex Plant in Amarillo, Texas.
Dismantling the B53 bomb – the oldest weapon in America’s nuclear arsenal and one of the highest-yield nuclear weapons every fielded by the United States – is a tremendous accomplishment for the National Nuclear Security Administration and for the Energy Department. After today, this Cold War-era weapon will never again be part of the U.S. nuclear weapons stockpile.
I extend my congratulations to all those involved in the project at the Pantex Plant and across the Department’s nuclear security enterprise.
It is important to note that this is just the latest milestone in the Department’s efforts to realize President Obama’s vision of a world without nuclear weapons. Over the past two years, the NNSA has taken a number of significant steps to reduce the role of nuclear weapons in our national security strategy and to urge others to do the same.
President Obama also made clear, though, that as long as nuclear weapons exist, the United States will maintain a safe, secure, and effective nuclear deterrent to keep America safe. And just as it has throughout its 70-year history, Pantex is continuing to play an important role in this effort.
To see more about the B53 dismantlement process, I encourage you to check out this video.
