At least six U.S. Air Force generals were disciplined for their roles in mistakenly shipping nuclear warhead fuses to Taiwan, Defense officials said.

In addition to the generals, several lower-ranking Air force officials also were disciplined following investigations in the 2006 mishap, the officials told The Washington Post.

One Pentagon official said the disciplinary actions were "extensive and severe," suggesting the actions could end the advancement hopes or careers of those involved.

The shipment and another incident in August 2007 in which Air Force pilots unknowingly flew nuclear warheads between North Dakota and Louisiana prompted Defense Secretary Robert Gates to fire the Air Force's top leaders, Gen. T. Michael Moseley, Air Force chief of staff at the time, and Air Force Secretary Michael Wynne.

An independent task force appointed by Gates earlier in September criticized the Air Force's management of the nuclear arsenal and recommended consolidating nuclear weapons responsibilities under one command.