Two Top Air Force Officials to Leave

June 05, 2008 12:57 PM

ABC News' Jonathan Karl reports:

A senior defense official confirms that the top two officials in the U.S. Air Force -- Chief of Staff Michael Moseley and Secretary Michael Wynne -- are soon to be fired.

Defense Secretary Robert Gates asked for the resignations  after a blistering, and still classified, report on the screwup that resulted in nuclear fuses being sent to Taiwan.  Said one official, "It's a very serious report that makes very serious allegations."

Another senior defense official told ABC News, "This is about holding senior officers to high standards of accountability. It's one of the most important things for the United States military."

The official says they are being fired because of "a pattern of leadership decisions" and lack of leadership.

The pattern includes:

- The accidental shipment of sensitive nuclear technology to Taiwan (this was "the last straw")

- the incident in September 2006 when the Air Force accidentally flew live nuclear bombs over U.S. airspace aboard a B-52.

- the $50 million public relations contract to promote the Thunderbirds that was improperly given to a retired AF general

- the statements of a top general that directly contracted Gates about spending on Air Force F-22s

This will be the second service secretary to be fired by Robert Gates.  Last year, he fired Army Secretary Francis Harvey.

This news was first reported in the Air Force Times.

At a press gaggle, White House Press Secretary Dana Perino told reporters on camera, "The White House has not played any role" in this.

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