US AIR FORCE NUKE OFFICERS CAUGHT IN CHEATING SCANDAL

(CNN) -- The U.S. Air Force's nuclear command has been rocked by a cheating scandal involving 34 officers.

The Pentagon said, Cheating on a proficiency exam involving intercontinental missile launch officers at the Global Strike Command at Malmstrom Air Force base in Montana apparently was carried out around last August and September by text and appears to be the largest incident of its kind.

Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James said "This is absolutely unacceptable behavior and it is completely contrary to our core values in the Air Force and as everybody here knows, the No. 1 core value for us is integrity," 

The case involving 34 officers with the 341st Missile Wing stemmed from a drug possession investigation at multiple air bases in the United States and overseas. Two of those caught up in the cheating episode have been linked to the other probe, officials said.

Sixteen officers were ultimately found to have actually cheated on the monthly proficiency exam while the rest knew the answers had been shared with others and did not report the violation, the Pentagon said.

Air Force Chif of Staff Gen. Mark said, all those disciplined in the investigation are no longer certified to conduct nuclear operations.