The US nuclear missile force has been hit by scandal after 34 officers responsible for launching nuclear missiles were removed from duty for their alleged involvement in a cheating ring.

The US Air Force said on Wednesday that 34 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) officers at Malmstrom Air Force Base, Montana, were either sharing material or were aware that material was being shared on proficiency tests.

Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James, who described the behaviour as "completely unacceptable", said the cheating ring was uncovered during a drug possession investigation involving 11 officers at several US Air Force bases, with two of the 11 also suspected of participating in the cheating ring.

Al Jazeera's David Shuster reports from New York.