Air Force's Stuck Radioactive Source Triggers NRC Safety Overhaul Deal
Published Date: 9/24/2026
Notice
Summary
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission made a deal with the Department of the Air Force to fix safety issues after a stuck radioactive source incident at Kirtland Air Force Base. The Air Force promised to improve safety checks, update procedures, and boost safety culture. These changes started right away with no extra costs announced.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 3 costs, 0 mixed.
Maintenance Restricted to Licensed Personnel
Within 180 days and via a license amendment, the Air Force must ensure annual inspection and maintenance for the AFRL irradiator are performed by persons specifically authorized (licensed) by the NRC or an Agreement State, and the license will be updated to describe irradiator activities that only licensed persons may perform. This requirement also directs the Air Force to revise maintenance procedures, require sign-offs for work, and update work logs within 180 days.
Security Plans and Training Must Be Updated
Within 90 days, all permittees subject to 10 CFR part 37 must revise Security Plans to include guidance on temporary security measures, and within 90 days must update required security training to include lessons learned from the 2024 event and topics such as security equipment loss and staffing needs. By 180 days, permittees must document temporary compensatory security measures for applicable emergency procedures.
Safety-Culture Notices and Training Required
Within 365 days, the Air Force must distribute a notice to each permittee, Permit Radiation Safety Officer (PRSO), Alternate PRSO (APRSO), employees and contractors describing the 2024 stuck-source event (including that the source remained stuck for 5 additional months) and must incorporate elements of the NRC's Safety Culture Policy into DAFMAN 40-201 and require training on updated Safety Culture expectations for PRSOs, APRSOs, and staff. The Air Force must verify that permittees have reviewed the notice within that 365-day period.
Emergency Cable System Inspections and Testing
Within 180 days, the Air Force must establish procedures to (1) annually inspect the Emergency Cable System to verify condition and configuration per the device safety evaluation, (2) establish a testing protocol based on the service provider's recommendations and prior inspection results, and (3) test the Emergency Cable System any time the cable is disconnected and reconnected.
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