Malmstrom O-3 facing court-martial

[unhappycamper]

Malmstrom O-3 facing court-martial
The Associated Press
Posted : Sunday Jan 25, 2009 10:53:45 EST

GREAT FALLS, Mont. — An officer stationed at Malmstrom Air Force Base is set to face court-martial proceedings Tuesday on charges he sexually assaulted a female co-worker while the two were in a bunker controlling nuclear missiles.

Capt. Adam Pitman is charged with aggravated sexual contact and conduct unbecoming an officer. A preliminary hearing was held in September to determine if there was enough evidence to go ahead with the court-martial, the military equivalent of a trial.

At the hearing, the woman said Pitman held her down and groped her while the two were stationed in a bunker 30 feet underground.

Dozens of nuclear missile launch facilities are scattered across central Montana and are operated by Malmstrom. Each has a bunker in which two missileers are stationed at all times, typically in 24-hour shifts.

Air Force officials have said that every Minuteman III missile is under constant watch by five separate crews, so the public was never in danger by the alleged assault.


Article at: http://airforcetimes.com/news/2009/01/ap_sexassaultcharges_012409/%2e