How is a Hellfire missile mistakenly shipped to Cuba??

2016-01-08T13:45:59-05:00

An inert air-to-surface Hellfire missile, produced by the United States and intended for training purposes in Europe, was shipped to Cuba by mistake after it's use in a NATO exercise.

The missile was supposed to be put on a flight to Florida but somehow ended up on a Air France flight to Cuba.

In the last couple of months the U.S. has had a thawing of relations between itself and Cuba with the reestablishment/opening of the U.S. embassy in Havana in July. Hopefully talks between Washington and Havana will lead to the safe return of this missile to the U.S. and avoid any repercussions of lost engineering secrets.

"WASHINGTON (Sputnik) – US authorities have tried to retrieve the missile from the Cuban government for over a year, The Wall Street Journal said on Thursday citing people familiar with the matter. The officials have also been working on establishing what actions led to the mistake made in 2014.

The missile manufacturer, Lockheed Martin, sent the weapon to Spain from Orlando International Airport in early 2014, after acquiring permission from the State Department.

The Hellfire missile was used in a North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) military exercise, according to media reports. Following the training, it was eventually delivered to Germany, and was expected to be loaded on a Florida-bound flight. However, officials discovered that the missile was for unclear reasons placed on an Air France flight to Havana.
People familiar with the incident said US authorities have been concerned that Cuba could share the sensitive military technology with such nations as China, Russia and North Korea, according to media reports.

At present, the US State Department is probing whether the redirection of the weapon was a criminal act."

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Jan 8 at 2016 1:50 PM

2016-01-08T13:50:36-05:00

That sounds like an Oxymoron CPT Private RallyPoint Member
If it really happened I am glad it was not a nuclear capable missile.
Hopefully whoever was responsible for moving the missile to the Air France flight will be prosecuted.

Response by SSG Audwin Scott made Jan 8 at 2016 1:56 PM

2016-01-08T13:56:06-05:00

Mistakenly huh????

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 8 at 2016 2:01 PM

2016-01-08T14:01:25-05:00

I am not too sure is a "mistake" ...

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Jan 8 at 2016 2:03 PM

2016-01-08T14:03:42-05:00

Somebody needs to be fired and prosecuted.

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made Jan 8 at 2016 2:36 PM

2016-01-08T14:36:29-05:00

Inert meaning no explosives or propellant? Are the electronics package classified and still aboard? Good thing we have such good relationships with the Cubans. I'm sure they will return it after reverse engineering the critical components. Talk about FUBAR!

Response by SGM David W. Carr LOM, DMSM MP SGT made Jan 8 at 2016 2:38 PM

2016-01-08T14:38:18-05:00

Some one needs to be held accountable and why was this not transported on a military flight?

Response by Capt Richard I P. made Jan 8 at 2016 3:22 PM

2016-01-08T15:22:26-05:00

oops

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jan 8 at 2016 3:40 PM

2016-01-08T15:40:56-05:00

I ordered an anchor while I was in the Army JK lol

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 8 at 2016 3:52 PM

2016-01-08T15:52:18-05:00

Damn those UPS guys

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 8 at 2016 4:07 PM

2016-01-08T16:07:33-05:00

It was probably shipped by mistake via Amazon, on one of their delivery Drones.

Response by SSG Warren Swan made Jan 8 at 2016 4:29 PM

2016-01-08T16:29:52-05:00

well to all those who were part of this "mistake"..........

Response by MSgt James Mullis made Jan 8 at 2016 4:37 PM

2016-01-08T16:37:52-05:00

It happens! I seem to recall in the 80's, there was a damaged all-up-round container, someone marked "EMPTY" when it was actually filled with 4 live AIM 7 missiles. It was brought to DRMO and sold with a large lot of scrap metal. Fortunately, the new "owners" decided to open the container before putting it into a car crusher/shredder and had a OMG moment.

Response by SSgt Terry P. made Jan 8 at 2016 5:58 PM

2016-01-08T17:58:15-05:00

CPT Private RallyPoint Member Mistakes happen,but this one seems really incongruous.Curiouser and curiouser.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 8 at 2016 6:40 PM

2016-01-08T18:40:26-05:00

"mistakenly" Sold to the highest bidder

Response by PO2 Steven Erickson made Jan 8 at 2016 7:03 PM

2016-01-08T19:03:38-05:00

How could this have happened? How?

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 8 at 2016 7:20 PM

2016-01-08T19:20:24-05:00

Air Force Air France.

Yep close. :(

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 9 at 2016 5:47 AM

2016-01-09T05:47:39-05:00

I am just shaking my head in disbelief.