Secretary of Defense Robert Gates has relieved the Air Force Chief of Staff and the Secretary of the Air Force of their duties for being lax in their duties in regards to our nuclear arsenal.

The results of a military investigation into four nuclear fuses sent to Taiwan this spring coupled with an accidental cross-country shipment last year of nuclear weapons by an Air Force bomber have cost the top two Air Force leaders their jobs.

Defense Secretary Robert Gates announced the findings of the report regarding the Taiwan shipments Thursday, and said there has been an “erosion of performance standards” and there are “systemic weaknesses” in the Air Force’s nuclear arsenal program.

As a result, Gates said he consulted with the president and asked Air Force Secretary Michael Wynne — the service’s top civilian leader — and Air Force Chief of Staff Michael Moseley — the top uniformed leader — both to step down. Sources told FOX News they were given the option Thursday either to resign or to be fired.

It is of the utmost urgency that our nuclear secrets and materials be kept in our hands and not allowed to slip into the hands of any foreign country without the express consent of the president and Congress.