how the US lost a nuclear bomb in the ice

And the United States managed to lose even a nuclear bomb off the coast of Greenland. So where is she now?

In 1961, the Americans launched Operation Chrome Dome, in which Boeing B-52s carrying thermonuclear bombs patrolled the skies of the Arctic Ocean. For what? In order to be the first to hit important objects of the USSR in the event of a declaration of war.

One of the main bases for American aviation was the Thule base, built on the coast of Greenland. Permission to place it was obtained from Denmark during the Second World War.

And everything went according to plan, until one of the Boeings caught fire, which led to its fall into the sea 11 kilometers from the base. At that time, there were already 4 hydrogen bombs on board. Due to the impact on the water, the bodies of the bombs fell apart, but a nuclear explosion was miraculously avoided. True, this did not save from the spread of radiation, which is why 80 thousand square meters were contaminated.

Why did the plane catch fire and crash? It’s all about human negligence. The alternate pilot, who was on board, placed foam cushions under his seat, accidentally blocking the ventilation hole. Due to the cold in the cabin, it was decided to supply air from the engine to the heating system, thereby raising the temperature.

As a result, these same pillows quickly flared up, and there were simply not enough fire extinguishers to extinguish them. The distress signal was given by the crew, but there was no time to save the board, so they had to evacuate.

The plane broke through the ice with a wormwood with diameters of 50 meters, leaving behind an infected plume along the way. It was not possible to find hydrogen bombs, but parts of the uranium shells of 3 out of 4 shells were found. And then, with great difficulty, because I had to work in the conditions of the polar night and frosts, reaching minus 60.

As a result, hazardous materials were transported for burial in a repository in South Carolina, and all patrol flights were quickly curtailed, hiding all documents. Only partially they were revealed in the 90s, which led to a scandal. The United States was able not only to resolve issues with Denmark and the European Commission, but also left everyone without compensation.

So, where is the last hydrogen bomb? Probably lost in the ice of Greenland, where he is waiting for his doomsday!