Nuclear missile crew sacked for sleeping on job

The US Air Force discharged three North Dakota ballistic missile crew members who fell asleep while holding classified launch code devices.

Officials said the codes were outdated and remained secure at all times.

Spokeswoman Laurie Arellano said the crew members were discharged under orders from Air Force Secretary Michael Donley.

They had been barred from working around nuclear weapons and classified material since the July 12, 2008 incident, she said.

The crew members were coming off a shift at a missile alert facility about 70 miles from Minot Air Force Base when they fell asleep in a secure crew rest area, Ms Arellano said.

The crew had with them code components – classified devices that allow them to communicate with missiles.