MINOT (AP) - Officials at the Minot Air Force Base say inspectors have decided the base needs more time to make changes after an August incident in which a B-52 bomber mistakenly flew six nuclear-tipped cruise missiles to Louisiana.

About 65 airmen were decertified from handling nuclear weapons after the incident. The Minot base commander was replaced.

The base's 5th Bomb Wing had been scheduled for a Jan. 23 inspection to help the Air Force decide whether to re-certify the bomb wing. Air Force inspectors have been there since Sunday to help prepare.

The bomb wing operates and maintains B-52 bombers. The certification process looks the wing's reliability in the handling of nuclear weapons.

"The Air Combat Command inspectors gave us a very thorough look and determined we deserve more time to incorporate the long-term changes in our procedures and to give our teams the opportunity to make those processes second nature," said Col. Joel Westa, base commander.

No new date for the inspection was set.

"I believe this (inspection) team is setting us up for success. I have full confidence in the hardworking airmen here who are committed to the mission," Westa said.

In the August incident, the missiles were supposed to be taken to Louisiana, but the warheads were supposed to have been removed before the fight. Officials said airmen had replaced complex procedures for tracking the missiles' status with a more informal system that did not meet standards.

A base spokeswoman, Maj. Laurie Arellano, said re-certification and perfecting its mission are top priorities for the bomb wing.

"We are taking a holistic look at the wing. That includes ensuring that we fill leadership positions that are currently vacant and build the teams necessary, with the leadership in place to oversee the long-term changes," Arellano said.

The 91st Space Wing at the Minot base, which oversees Minuteman III missiles, will go through its inspection next month as planned.