Nuclear missile launch officer facing drug charges

WASHINGTON - The Air Force is court-martialing a nuclear missile launch officer on drug charges stemming from a criminal investigation that led to the separate disclosure of an exam-cheating scandal that implicated nearly 100 nuclear officers.

Second Lt. Nicole Dalmazzi of the 341st Missile Wing at Malmstrom Air Force Base in Montana is the first launch officer known to have been charged since the drug investigation was announced in January. Four were under investigation.

Dalmazzi was charged with illegal drug use and impeding the Air Force Office of Special Investigations probe by dyeing her hair to "alter the results of potential hair-follicle drug tests," according to Josh Aycock, a spokesman at Malmstrom.

Efforts to reach her Tuesday for comment were unsuccessful.

Aycock said her court martial is scheduled for Jan. 21.