Treaty office helps AF monitor weapons systems Published May 19, 2009 By Howdy Stout Tinker Public Affairs TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- For some, the effects of the Cold War haven't ended. Not until this December, that is, when the current Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START I) ends. And even then, work will continue at the Treaty Compliance Office at Tinker. The United States is a signatory to over 30 arms treaties. Most important of the treaties are START, the Open Skies agreement that allows reciprocal reconnaissance over-flights, and those concerning chemical warfare. James Ruth, Treaty Compliance Officer, says the Arms Control Office is responsible for maintaining Air Force compliance with these treaties "All of the arms controls treaties are monitored through this office," Mr. Ruth explains. Specifically, Mr. Ruth ensures that B-1B bombers leaving Tinker after refurbishment are not capable of carrying nuclear weapons. Limiting the number of nuclear-capable strategic bombers is a key feature of the START treaty. "The modification of B-1 to render them non-nuclear was part of the agreement," Mr. Ruth said. When President Reagan proposed limiting strategic nuclear weapons in the early 1980s, the U.S. held a commanding lead in strategic bombers. Just coming in to service was the B-1B Lancer, which could, with the new AGM-85 cruise missiles, reach strategic targets throughout the then-Soviet Union. Although the older B-52 could also carry the nuclear cruise missiles, the low-level, high-speed B-1 had a better chance of penetrating Soviet airspace without interception. US negotiators used this advantage to counter the Soviet superiority in the number of intercontinental ballistic missiles. At the time, the Soviets had an estimated three-to-one numerical advantage in long-range nuclear missiles. Both the US and the Soviet Union eventually signed the START treaty in 1991, just a few months before the collapse of the Soviet Union. The treaty limited the total number of ICBM, submarine-launched ballistic missiles and nuclear-capable bombers. The treaty reduced the total number of strategic weapons held by the two countries by an estimated 80 percent, making it one of the most sweeping arms reduction treaties in history. As a result of the treaty, all B-1s were modified to prevent them from carrying nuclear weapons. Those modifications include eliminating hard points for bomb attachment and installing a bulkhead in the bomb bay to prevent the carrying of nuclear-sized weapons. "What we do here at Tinker, when the B-1s come in for depot maintenance, is to make sure those attachment points are in fact still disabled," Mr. Ruth explained. "We inspect it after it's painted to make sure the hard points have been treated and then we check it again before it goes back to its base." A key to any arms control agreement is verification, says Mr. Ruth. Part of the verification is the Open Skies agreement that allows reconnaissance over flights of signatory countries "to verify that what they see is what they're being told," Mr. Ruth said. Although the over flights are scheduled ahead of time with the routes and timing well-planned, it does provide a way to verify weapons disarmament and treaty compliance. "Trust but verify," Mr. Ruth said. Most of the treaties also provide for "challenge inspections" if anything unexpected is observed, said Mr. Ruth. To date, none have been conducted, although Mr. Ruth is on standby to assist with any challenge inspections. Normally, concerns over treaty compliance are also raised and resolved at regular armaments conferences. Although the START treaty is due to expire December 5, Mr. Ruth says the treaty's legacy is a good one. Both START signatories are willing to continue reduction of their nuclear arsenals, Mr. Ruth said. In many ways, nuclear weapons are no longer the single deterrent in the modern world, he explained, where Cyber warfare could also devastate a developed country. Whether or not the treaty is renewed, it provides a starting point for future arms talks. "It provides a platform for the future in many ways," he said. "It is just one of the approaches for the struggle for peace."