BY ORDER OF THE SECRETARY OF THE AIR FORCE AIR FORCE INSTRUCTION 13-503 24 JULY 2017 Nuclear, Space, Missile, Command and Control NUCLEAR-CAPABLE UNIT CERTIFICATION, DECERTIFICATION AND RESTRICTION PROGRAM COMPLIANCE WITH THIS PUBLICATION IS MANDATORY ACCESSIBILITY: This publication is available for on the e-publishing website at http://www.epublishing.af.mil for downloading. RELEASABILITY: There are no releasability restrictions on this publication. OPR: AF/A10C Supersedes: Air Force Instruction 13-503, 02 October 2012 Certified by: AF/A10 (Lt Gen Jack Weinstein) Pages: 14 This publication implements Air Force Policy Directive (AFPD) 13-5, Air Force Nuclear Enterprise and is consistent with AFPD 63-1, Acquisition and Sustainment Life Cycle Management. This instruction applies to all Air Force units that are nuclear-capable, to include Air Force Reserve Command and Air National Guard units supporting nuclear logistics requirements. It provides procedures required for nuclear-capable unit certification, decertification and operational restrictions. Ensure that all records created as a result of processes prescribed in this publication are maintained in accordance with (IAW) Air Force Manual (AFMAN) 33-363, Management of Records, and disposed of IAW Air Force Records Information Management System (AFRIMS) Records Disposition Schedule (RDS), or any updated statement provided by the AF Records Management office (SAF/CIO A6P). Refer recommended changes and questions about this publication to the Office of Primary Responsibility (OPR) using the AF Form 847, Recommendation for Change of Publication. Route the AF Form 847 from the field through the appropriate functional chain of command. Major Commands (MAJCOM) must submit all supplements to AF/A10 prior to certification and approval. The authorities to waive wing/unit level requirements in this publication are identified with a Tier ( T-0, T-1, T-2, T-3 ) number following the compliance statement. See AFI 33-360, Publications and Forms Management, Table 1.1 for a description of the authorities associated with the Tier numbers. Submit requests for waivers through the chain of command to the appropriate Tier waiver approval authority, or alternately, to the publication s OPR for nontiered compliance items.
2 AFI13-503 24 JULY 2017 SUMMARY OF CHANGES This document has been revised and must be completely reviewed. This revision highlights AF/A10 s infrastructure change from an Assistant Chief of Staff to a Deputy Chief of Staff, removes obsolete Limited Nuclear Surety Inspection criteria, identifies tiered waiver authorities for unit level compliance items, updates Attachment 2 to reflect current contact information, and incorporates updated publication references. 1. Purpose. This publication codifies the process to inform, facilitate and document Air Force decisions with regard to operational nuclear certification (initial and recertification), decertification, and restrictions of Air Force nuclear-capable units 2. Roles and Responsibilities. 2.1. Deputy Chief of Staff (DCS), Strategic Deterrence and Nuclear Integration (AF/A10) will: 2.1.1. Publish certification and restriction guidance for organizations and units. 2.1.2. Support the Secretary of the Air Force, Inspector General (SAF/IG) in developing the list of nuclear-capable units as is required under CJCSI 3263.05, Nuclear Weapons Technical Inspections. 2.1.3. Communicate with Joint Staff and the respective Combatant Command (CCMD) on situations affecting operational certification, decertification, recertification and restrictions of nuclear-capable units. 2.2. MAJCOM Commanders (MAJCOM/CC) will: 2.2.1. Conduct a Nuclear Surety Inspection (NSI) as described in CJCSI 3263.05 and AFI 90-201, The Air Force Inspection System, and use the results of those NSIs as a basis for operational certification, decertification, or recertification of nuclear-capable units. 2.2.2. Certify or decertify nuclear-capable units in writing. This authority to certify, decertify or recertify a unit applies to all levels within the command and cannot be delegated. The commander may delegate authority to place and remove operational restrictions on units to the Wing Commander. 2.2.3. Notify AF/A10 of all decisions regarding certification, decertification, recertification and operational restrictions of a nuclear-capable unit. 2.2.4. Notify units when a change to its certification status occurs. Notification of a unit s continued certification is not required. 2.2.5. Document operational certifications, decertifications, recertifications and restrictions of nuclear-capable units with a memorandum (Attachments 3, 4 and 5). 2.2.6. Maintain a library of nuclear-capable certification, decertification and operational restriction packages and distribute as necessary. 2.2.7. Develop procedures to certify, decertify, recertify, and operationally restrict/unrestrict nuclear-capable units. For units requiring an Initial Nuclear Surety Inspection (INSI), develop a training timeline and determine readiness to receive an INSI.
AFI13-503 24 JULY 2017 3 2.2.8. Develop inspection criteria to be used by MAJCOM/IGs, in addition to required AF inspection criteria. 2.2.9. Develop Public Affairs guidance in coordination with AF/A10 and the Secretary of the Air Force, the Directorate of Public Affairs (SAF/PA) to address the public release of information related to nuclear certification, decertification and restrictions. 3. Operational Nuclear Certification. The operational certification of a unit is required prior to deeming a unit nuclear-capable. A unit is operationally certified when the Lead/Using Command qualifies/certifies the unit s personnel to perform mission-specific nuclear tasks (i.e. maintenance, transport, etc.), certifies personnel in the Personnel Reliability Assurance Program (PRAP) IAW DoDM5210.42_AFMAN 13-501, trains them in nuclear surety, and assigns a Ready rating following a successful INSI. Additionally, operational certification is required prior to receiving a new or modified weapon/delivery system or following the decertification of a nuclear-capable unit. 3.1. The Lead/Using command will determine the need to conduct an INSI as required in AFI 63-125, Nuclear Certification Program to establish a unit s operational certification and readiness, employ a new or modified weapon system, conduct operations in new or modified maintenance and storage facilities, or resume a nuclear mission. The Lead/Using command commander will make the ultimate determination in coordination with their respective MAJCOM Safety Office and the Air Force Safety Center/Weapons Safety Division (AFSEC/SEW). The MAJCOM/CC will document the decision on whether an INSI is required. The signed memorandum will be distributed to the units affected and the recipients listed in Attachment 2. 3.1.1. The MAJCOM/CC, through the designated lead staff agency, will prepare a training timeline and determine readiness of the unit to receive an INSI. 3.1.2. Initial certification of a unit prior to accepting a new mission or weapons system will be based on an INSI assessing the unit s nuclear mission proficiency. The assessment will consider applicable criteria specified in CJCSI 3263.05 and AFI 90-201. 3.1.3. Assuming all other criteria are met, units will maintain their operational certification until notified by the MAJCOM/CC. Operational certification will be continually assessed through NSI criteria specified in CJCSI 3263.05 and AFI 90-201. 4. Decertification. The decertification of a nuclear-capable unit removes all of the unit s authorization to employ, assemble, maintain, transport or store war reserve (WR) nuclear weapons, associated components and certified support equipment. 4.1. Decertification may result from one or more of the following: 4.1.1. Unsatisfactory results of a NSI conducted by the MAJCOM/IG. 4.1.2. Accident(s)/incident(s) that directly or indirectly affect the safety, security, effectiveness and control of nuclear weapons 4.1.2.1. If required, Command Post personnel will transmit an Air Force Operational Report (AF OPREP-3) IAW AFI 10-206, Operational Reporting. (T-0). 4.1.3. The unit s inability to comply with requirements in DoD Nuclear Weapons System Surety Standards and/or the appropriate AFI 91-11X Weapon System Safety Rule.
4 AFI13-503 24 JULY 2017 4.1.4. Commander s assessment results in lack of confidence in unit s operational capability. 4.2. A nuclear-capable unit must be decertified if it does not receive a Nuclear Weapons Technical Inspection (NWTI) within the time limits specified in CJCSI 3263.05. 4.3. The MAJCOM/CC is responsible for ensuring the safety and security of all nuclear assets during the interim period between decertification and recertification and will develop and implement mitigation measures that ensure safe, secure and effective WR assets. 4.4. The MAJCOM/CC will document decertification via memorandum (Attachment 4) and will include, as a minimum, the following: 4.4.1. Unit decertified, specific reason(s), and any prohibited activities. 4.4.2. Specific actions unit personnel must perform to ensure the safety and security of any assigned nuclear weapons. For example, allow the Security Forces Squadron (SFS) to continue providing required security measures, although the SFS s parent wing has been decertified. 4.4.3. Unambiguous information to the unit commander on the specific reasons for decertification. 4.4.4. A MAJCOM-developed training plan (in coordination with the decertified unit) to correct deficiencies identified in the decertification memorandum. The plan should include a projected timeline for completion. 4.4.5. MAJCOM/CC direction to conduct a re-inspection and use the results as the basis for re-certifying a decertified nuclear-capable unit if desired. 4.4.6. The decertification memorandum will be classified, properly marked and handled IAW AFI 16-1404, Air Force Information Security Program and sent to the unit commander and the recipients in Attachment 2. 4.5. Upon resolution of the issue(s) that resulted in decertification, the MAJCOM/CC will document recertification using the memorandum in Attachment 5. Distribute memorandum to the unit commander and the recipients in Attachment 2. 5. Operational restrictions. Operational restrictions remove the unit s authority to perform specific actions directly related to safe, secure and reliable operations involving nuclear weapons. They restrict specific actions, but do not decertify the nuclear-capable unit. 5.1. Operational restrictions are implemented immediately upon notification from the MAJCOM/CC or the delegated authority. Either the MAJCOM/CC or the delegated authority will document the specific operational restriction(s) by memorandum (Attachment 5) and distribute to the unit commander and the recipients in Attachment 2. 5.2. The restricted unit, in coordination with MAJCOM functional staff, will develop a corrective plan to address deficiencies identified in the operational restriction memorandum. 5.3. The MAJCOM functional staff will develop criteria, training, and methods required for the unit to resume unrestricted operations. 5.4. Operational restriction(s) are removed when the unit is notified by the MAJCOM/CC or delegated authority. MAJCOM Safety Office will document removal of operational
AFI13-503 24 JULY 2017 5 restrictions by memorandum (Attachment 6) and distribute to the unit commander and the recipients in Attachment 2. JACK WEINSTEIN, Lt Gen, USAF DCS, Strategic Deterrence & Nuclear Integration
6 AFI13-503 24 JULY 2017 References Attachment 1 GLOSSARY OF REFERENCES AND SUPPORTING INFORMATION DoDD 3150.02, DoD Nuclear Weapons Surety Program, 24 April 2013, Incoporating Change 2, 12 May 2016 DoDM5210.42_AFMAN 13-501, Nuclear Weapons Personnel Reliability Program, 09 Mar 2017 CJCSI 3263.05C, Nuclear Weapons Technical Inspections, 10 March 2017 AFPD 13-5, Air Force Nuclear Enterprise, 29 Jun 2017 AFPD 63-1, Integrated Life Cycle Management, 03 June 2016 AFI 10-206, Operational Reporting, 11 June 2014 AFI 33-360, Publications and Forms Management, 01 December 2015, Incoporating AFI 33-360_AFGM2016-01, 30 November 2016 AFI 63-125, Nuclear Certification Program, 08 August 2012 AFI 90-201, The Air Force Inspection System, 21 April 2015, Incoporating Change 1, 11 February 2016, Incoporating AFGM 2017-01, 26 January 2016 AFI 91-102, Nuclear Weapons System Safety Studies, Operational Safety Reviews, and Safety Rules, 12 April 2017 AFMAN 33-363, Management of Records, 01 March 2008, Incoporating Change 2, 09 June 2016, Incorporating AFMAN33-363_AFGM2017-01, 02 Jun 2017 Prescribed and Adopted Forms AF Form 847, Recommendation for Changes of Publication, 22 September 2009 Abbreviation and Acronyms AF Air Force AFI Air Force Instruction AFPD Air Force Publication Directive AFMAN Air Force Manual AFRIMS Air Force Records and Information Management System AFSEC Air Force Safety Center CJCSI Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Instruction CCMD Combatant Command DCS Deputy Chief of Staff DoD Department of Defense
AFI13-503 24 JULY 2017 7 DoDD Department of Defense Directive DTG Date Time Group DTRA Defense Threat Reduction Agency HHQ Higher Headquarters IG Inspector General INSI Initial Nuclear Surety Inspection MAJCOM Major Command NSI Nuclear Surety Inspection NWTI Nuclear Weapons Technical Inspection OPR Office of primary responsibility OPREP Operational Report RDS Records Disposition Schedule SEW Weapons Safety Division USEUCOM United States European Command USSTRATCOM United States Strategic Command WR War Reserve Terms Initial Nuclear Surety Inspection (INSI) An inspection to evaluate a unit s readiness to assume or resume a nuclear mission or to evaluate and certify new or significantly modified maintenance and storage facilities or significant changes to weapons systems or portions thereof. Major Graded Area (MGA) Key processes, procedures or requirements based on legal requirements, executive orders, DoD directives (DoDD), Air Force, MAJCOM or applicable Air National Guard Instructions. Nuclear-Capable Unit A unit or an activity assigned responsibilities for employing, assembling, maintaining, transporting or storing WR nuclear weapons, their associated components and ancillary equipment. Nuclear Surety Inspection (NSI) A compliance-based inspection conducted to evaluate a unit's ability to manage nuclear resources while complying with all nuclear surety standards. Reliability The ability of a system and system parts to perform their mission without failure, degradation, or demand on the support system. (USAF) Unit For the purposes of this Instruction, a unit is defined as a squadron, group, or wing.
8 AFI13-503 24 JULY 2017 Attachment 2 NUCLEAR CERTIFICATION/DECERTIFICATION AND OPERATIONAL RESTRICTION RECIPIENTS REFERENCE Table A2.1. Air Staff SAF/LLW 1160 Air Force Pentagon (Room 4B852A) Washington, DC 20330-1160 USAF Pentagon SAF-LL Mailbox SAF-LL SAF-LLW Workflow MBX AIR STAFF SAF/IG 1140 Air Force Pentagon Washington, DC 20330-1400 AF Pentagon SAF-IG SAF-IGI Workflow MBX AF/A3 1630 Air Force Pentagon Washington, DC 20330-1400 USAF Pentagon AF-A3 Mailbox A3 Workflow AF/A10 1488 Air Force Pentagon Washington, DC 20330-1488 USAF Pentagon AF-A10 Mailbox AF-A10 AF-A10-C Workflow MBX AF/A4 1030 Air Force Pentagon Washington, DC 20330-1030 AF Pentagon AF-A4 Mailbox A4L Workflow AF/SE 1400 Air Force Pentagon Washington, DC 20330-1400 USAF Pentagon AF-SE Mailbox AF-SE AF-SE Workflow MBX Table A2.2. Agencies and Centers AFIA/OV/NI 9700 Ave G SE, Suite 340 Kirtland AFB, NM 87117-5670 USAF Kirtland AFB AFMC Mailbox AFIA OV Workflow Mailbox DTRA/J10IEI 1680 Texas St SE Kirtland AFB, NM 87117-5669 DTRA Kirtland AFB J10 List J10NLL ALL (SIPR Distro List) AGENCIES & CENTERS AFSEC/SEW 9700 Ave G SE Kirtland AFB, NM 87117-5670 USAF Kirtland AFB AFMC Mailbox HQ AFSEC SEW Organizational Mailbox
AFI13-503 24 JULY 2017 9 Table A2.3. Combatant Commands USSTRATCOM/JFCC-GS 901 SAC Blvd, Ste 1F22 Offutt AFB NE 68113-6090 NUCLEARCURRENTOPSDO@STRATC OM.SMIL.MIL Table A2.4. Major Command ACC/A10 190 Dodd Boulevard Joint Base Langley-Eustis VA 23665-1942 USAF JBLE ACC A10 Mailbox ACC A10 workflow COMBATANT COMMANDS HQ USEUCOM/ECJ3 Unit 30400, APO AE 09131-0400 EUCOM Stuttgart ECJ3 Mailbox J3 MAJOR COMMAND ACC/IG 205 Thornell Ave, Ste 131 Joint Base Langley-Eustis VA 23665-2734 usaf.jble.acc-ig.mbx.accige-executiveofficer@mail.smil.mil AFGSC/A4 841 Fairchild Ave, Bldg 5541 Barksdale AFB, LA 71110-2145 USAF Barksdale AFB AFGSC Mailbox AFGSC A4 7 Workflow AMC A3/A10N 510 POW-MIA Drive, Suite 105 Scott AFB, IL 62225-5020 USAF Scott AFB AMC A3 Mailbox AMC A3N Nuclear Operations Division USAFE/A10N Unit 3050 Box 15 APO, AE 09094-0015 USAF Ramstein AB USAFE Mailbox A10N Nuclear Operations AFRC/A3N/SEW 155 Richard Ray Blvd Robins AFB, GA 31098-1661 usaf.warnerrobins.afrc.mbx.a3n-orgbox@mail.smil.mil AFGSC/IG 245 Davis Ave, Ste 200 Barksdale AFB, LA 71110 USAF Barksdale AFB AFGSC Mailbox AFGSC IG Workflow AMC/IG 304 W. Birchard St. Scott AFB, IL 62225 USAF Scott AFB AMC IG Mailbox AMC IG Inspector General USAFE/IG Unit 3281 APO AE 09094-5060 USAF Ramstein AB USAFE Mailbox IG Gate Keeper AFRC/IG 255 Richard Ray Blvd Bldg 220 Robins AFB, GA 31098-1661 usaf.warnerrobins.afrc.mbx.igworkflow@mail.smil.mil
10 AFI13-503 24 JULY 2017 Attachment 3 EXAMPLE OF NUCLEAR CERTIFICATION MEMORANDUM Figure A3.1. Example of Nuclear Certification Memorandum
AFI13-503 24 JULY 2017 11 Attachment 4 EXAMPLE OF NUCLEAR DECERTIFICATION AND/OR OPERATIONAL RESTRICTION MEMORANDUM Figure A4.1. Example of Nuclear Decertification and/or Operational Restriction Memorandum, Pg 1.
12 AFI13-503 24 JULY 2017 Figure A4.2. Example of Nuclear Decertification and/or Operational Restriction Memorandum, Pg 2.
AFI13-503 24 JULY 2017 13 Attachment 5 EXAMPLE OF NUCLEAR RECERTIFICATION MEMORANDUM Figure A5.1. Example of Nuclear Recertification Memorandum
14 AFI13-503 24 JULY 2017 Figure A5.2. Example of Removal of Restrictions Memorandum