Bent Spear is a flag word identifying what kind of incident and requires re-certification by which agency?

• A. Nuclear weapon incident requiring immediate evacuation
• B. Flag word identifying nuclear weapon incident & requires re-certification by DOE
• C. Major system failure within a facility
• D. Chemical release within a secure area

Answer: (B)

Bent Spear is the flag word used for a nuclear weapon incident that involves a weapon or component but does not involve detonation or loss. It signals a noteworthy safety or security issue that requires formal review and recertification. The re-certification is performed by the Department of Energy because DOE oversees the safety, arming, and reliability certification of nuclear weapons and their components, ensuring they remain safe to handle after any incident. This differs from broader facility failures or chemical releases, which are handled under different reporting categories and agencies.