AFGSC missile wings conduct limited inspections

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BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. (AFNS) --  Each of Air Force Global Strike Command's three missile wings successfully passed a no-notice limited nuclear surety inspection Dec. 8, the first such inspections launched by the new command.

Inspection teams of nine to 10 members, including observers from U.S. Strategic Command and oversight from the Air Force Inspection Agency, arrived Dec. 8 for the no-notice limited NSI.

The teams reviewed the qualifications and certifications of those operations, security and maintenance missile wing personnel headed out to perform their assigned duties that day, officials said.

"Inspections will be a big part of how we do business in Air Force Global Strike Command," said Lt. Gen. Frank G. Klotz, the AFGSC commander. "These initial inspections are a way for us to gauge two things: both our own ability to carry-out inspections as a new command and to gauge our readiness to properly carry out the mission at our three missile wings."

All three of 20th Air Force's main units hosted the teams: the 90th Missile Wing, at F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyo.; the 341st Missile Wing at Malmstrom AFB, Mont.; and the 91st Missile Wing at Minot AFB, N.D.

"The idea of a spot, or no-notice inspection like this is to ensure we in Air Force Global Strike Command are doing the right thing, the right way, every day," said Col. Sandy Finan, the AFGSC Inspector General. "The fundamental question we were trying to answer was, 'Are the Airmen we are sending to the field properly trained and certified to accomplish the tasks they are doing?'"

AFGSC assumed responsibility for the missile wings Dec. 1 from Air Force Space Command, at which time General Klotz stressed that the Air Force places special trust and responsibility in each and every global strike Airman to operate, maintain, secure and support the most powerful weapons in the nation's arsenal.

"This requires an uncompromising adherence to standards and superior technical weapons systems expertise. We are proud and delighted to have gained highly skilled and disciplined teams from Air Force Space Command," General Klotz said.