HQ-level office created for nuclear mission

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WASHINGTON (AFNS) --  Air Force leaders have created a new Air Staff directorate that began operations Nov. 1 to strengthen the focus on the nuclear enterprise.

The new office, aligned as A10 on the staff, is officially called the Strategic Deterrence and Nuclear Integration Office and will be led by Maj. Gen. C. Donald Alston. General Alston also directed the Air Force Nuclear Task Force.

"These organizational changes, together with other roadmap initiatives and strong leadership at all levels, will improve our support to our missile and bomber forces in their vital role providing nuclear deterrence," General Alston said. "The concentration of nuclear expertise in A10 will improve the focus on nuclear issues across the air staff and the flow of information between the Air Force, the Department of Defense and other mission partners."

As the assistant chief of staff for strategic deterrence and nuclear integration, General Alston will be the focal point on the air staff for the Air Force nuclear enterprise.

"The new directorate provides policy oversight, increased institutional focus and staff integration for nuclear issues," said Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz. "The A10 will be instrumental in managing the overall nuclear enterprise and will be directly involved in implementing the Air Force nuclear roadmap as well as preparing to stand up Air Force Global Strike Command."

The stand up of the A10 is the second significant organizational change Air Force officials have implemented to improve management of the nuclear enterprise. They already have taken steps to further consolidate nuclear sustainment responsibilities in Air Force Materiel Command, specifically at the Nuclear Weapons Center.

Air Force officials also recently unveiled the proposal for a nuclear-only major command, Air Force Global Strike Command, as its future field operating construct for the nuclear enterprise.

With plenty of more work to be done, the office plans to fully stand up in September 2009, General Alston said.

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