News - Tag nuclear deterrence

April 15, 2025
134th ARW enhances readiness with nuclear operational readiness, combat readiness exercises

The 134th Air Refueling Wing at McGhee Tyson Air National Guard Base conducted a four-day Nuclear Operational Readiness Exercise and Combat Readiness Exercise
March 5, 2025
Air Force aims to instill Warrior Ethos, increase lethality

The Air Force is aligning with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's priorities, says Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David W. Allvin, while saving taxpayer dollars and redirecting them into combat readiness.
Aug. 16, 2024
Sentinel: The history of the DAF modernizing the backbone of America’s national security

The U.S. Air Force is replacing the 54-year-old LGM-30G Minuteman III ICBM weapon system with the LGM-35A Sentinel ICBM. Upgrading to Sentinel ICBMs ensures the land-based leg of America's Nuclear Triad remains safe, secure & effective.
May 9, 2024
2023 Nuclear Deterrence Operations, Missile Operations awards announced

These awards recognize the outstanding accomplishments of Airmen, Guardians, and civilians contributing to nuclear deterrence operations and the missile operations career field.
Feb. 27, 2024
Senior leaders visit 90th MW, focus on mission modernization

The visit provided an opportunity to gain more in-depth knowledge of how Airmen execute the nuclear deterrence mission at missile alert facilities and launch facilities and what changes are needed with ICBM modernization efforts.
Oct. 12, 2023
VCSAF visits Minot AFB

During the visit, Allvin met with 5th Bomb Wing and 91st Missile Wing leaders to gather insight into the only U.S. Air Force base holding two-thirds of the nuclear triad.
April 3, 2023
2022 Nuclear Deterrence Operations, Missile Operations awards announced

These awards recognize the outstanding accomplishments of Airmen contributing to nuclear deterrence operations and the missile operations career field respectively.
May 2, 2022
2021 Nuclear Deterrence, Missile Operations awards announced

The Department of the Air Force announced the 2021 Deterrence Operations and the Nuclear and Missile Operations Award winners.
April 5, 2022
Air Force’s new intercontinental ballistic missile system has a name: Sentinel

Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall approved the designation for the system that modernizes the ICBM leg of the Nation’s nuclear triad.
Aug. 3, 2021
New AFCEC division key to nuclear infrastructure modernization

The Air Force Civil Engineer Center is centralizing its support of the Air Force’s multi-billion-dollar nuclear infrastructure portfolio with a new division.
Sept. 11, 2020
Around the Air Force: Testing Future Warfare, New ICBM, and Tax Deferment

Today’s look Around the Air Force features a look at the second phase of testing for the Advanced Battle Management System, a contract award for development of a new intercontinental ballistic missile and information on the government tax deferment plan. (Hosted by Senior Airman Angelo Rosario)
Dec. 6, 2019
VCSAF meets with nuclear scientists, engineers about future operations

The visit gave the leaders an opportunity to discuss future operations and algorithmic warfare – the method by which battles are fought using artificial intelligence and machine learning as a weapon system – with members of the Defense Department’s sole nuclear treaty monitoring center and the
March 28, 2019
Scobee highlights Air Force Reserve success on Capitol Hill

Lt. Gen. Richard W. Scobee, chief of Air Force Reserve and Air Force Reserve Command commander, testified on the status of the Reserve and the fiscal year 2020 budget request before the U.S. House Appropriations Committee’s defense subcommittee, March 26, on Capitol Hill. Counterparts from the Army,
Feb. 12, 2018
Air Force Fiscal Year 2019 budget addresses great power competition

The Air Force budget request of $156.3 billion for fiscal year 2019 builds on the progress made in 2018 to restore the readiness of the force, increase lethality, and cost-effectively modernize.
Dec. 7, 2017
Upgrades to missile detection radar earns civilian recognition

Dr. Donald Hoying, the radar’s program manager at Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado, leads a team of 50 military and government civilians and contractors who are working to upgrade these SSMs while improving the radar’s satellite, space-borne object and missile detection capabilities. In November,
Nov. 16, 2017
BLUE: Testing the Minuteman

FORT GEORGE G. MEADE, Md. (AFNS) – Air Force TV has released the latest episode of the Air Force's flagship television program, BLUE.Nuclear deterrence has been a mainstay in keeping America safe from nuclear threats for decades. One group of Airmen carry the awesome responsibility of ensuring the
Oct. 18, 2017
CSAF highlights Airmen's role in nuclear mission

Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David L. Goldfein discussed the important role Barksdale Air Force Base Airmen perform in executing the nuclear deterrence and assurance mission during an all-call at the Weapons Load Training hangar, Oct. 17, 2017.
Sept. 19, 2017
Nuclear deterrence critical to national defense

The Deputy Chief of Staff for Strategic Deterrence, Lt. Gen. Jack Weinstein, spoke on a panel about the importance of U.S. nuclear deterrence, and its foundational importance to national defense, at the Air Force Association Air, Space and Cyber Conference, Sept. 19, 2017.
July 5, 2017
2016 Nuclear Deterrence Operations, Nuclear & Missile Operations awards winners announced

Air Force officials recently named the winners of the 2016 Nuclear Deterrence Operations Award and the Nuclear & Missile Operations Award.
June 27, 2017
ICBM Country: Ogden Air Logistics Complex restoring Air Force’s nuclear launch facilities

For more than 50 years, rural American pastures in the Great Plains have housed a key leg in the air, land and sea based strategic deterrent triad – mission-ready Airmen controlling highly-survivable, nuclear-armed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missiles.
Sept. 28, 2016
Carter: Nuclear triad needs investment for future

All three legs of the nuclear triad operate with a high degree of readiness, reliability and excellence, but the aging systems need more investment for the future, Defense Secretary Ash Carter said Sept. 27 at Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico.
Aug. 5, 2016
Tankers enable long-range bomber capability during Polar Roar

Mobility Airmen play a vital role in deterrence and stand ready to operate in support of global operations at a moment’s notice. Air Mobility Command Airmen, 15 KC-135 Stratotankers and 10 KC-10 Extenders enabled Air Force Global Strike Command B-52 Stratofortresses and B-2 Spirits to sustain air
July 29, 2016
AF releases new ICBM solicitation

The Air Force released July 29 a request for proposals for its Ground Based Strategic Deterrent (GBSD) intercontinental ballistic missile weapon system program; up to two contract awards are expected in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2017.
July 25, 2016
National security requires modernized nuclear deterrence

The Air Force’s deputy chief of staff for strategic deterrence and nuclear integration stressed the importance of nuclear deterrence and the need for nuclear modernization July 21 at an Air Force Association breakfast at the Key Bridge Marriott Hotel in Arlington, Virginia.
July 18, 2016
Govt, military leaders testify on nuclear deterrent modernization plans

Key leaders in the nation’s nuclear deterrence mission testified in Washington, D.C., July 14 before the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Strategic Forces about the importance of the nuclear triad and the growing need to modernize it.
July 15, 2016
DOD experts talk nuclear modernization efforts

Modernization and sustainment across the nuclear triad are essential to maintaining national and allied security, three Defense Department experts told Congress on July 14.
Jan. 25, 2016
STRATCOM chief talks nuclear deterrence, modernization

The global security environment calls for a continued strong nuclear deterrent along with modernization for elements of the nuclear triad and advanced training for U.S. Strategic Command’s workforce, the STRATCOM commander said Jan. 22 during a Washington, D.C., event.
Jan. 12, 2016
Air Force 101: Talks aim to improve legislation for AF missions

A day after the Air Force flew a B-52 Stratofortress over South Korea in the wake of their northern neighbor’s nuclear bomb test, Air Force officers discussed the service’s nuclear capabilities with policymakers Jan. 11.
Aug. 6, 2015
CSAF listens to Airmen, discusses nuclear enterprise mission

Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A Welsh III visited three Air Force Global Strike Command bases to listen to Airmen of all ranks who support the Global Strike mission on a daily basis, while addressing the importance of the nuclear enterprise and its future.
July 28, 2015
Rand takes command of AF Global Strike Command

Gen. Robin Rand took command of Air Force Global Strike Command during a ceremony at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, July 28, becoming the newest leader of the organization responsible for the nation's force of ICBMs and nuclear-capable bombers.
July 17, 2015
2014 Nuclear Deterrence, Missile Operations award winners announced

Air Force officials recently named the winners of the 2014 Nuclear Deterrence Operations Award and the Nuclear and Missile Operations Award.
April 1, 2015
AF Nuclear Weapons Center reorganizes

The Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center (AFNWC) reorganized its structure March 30, realigning responsibilities, authorities and accountability to better serve the nuclear enterprise.
Nov. 6, 2014
SecAF presents first Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medals

Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James presented the Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal (NDOSM) for the first time to 25 Airmen during Air Force Global Strike Command's 2014 Global Strike Challenge, Nov. 5.
Nov. 5, 2014
AFGSC kicks off fourth Global Strike Challenge

The fourth Air Force Global Strike Command Technology and Innovation Symposium kicked off Nov. 4, here.
Oct. 29, 2014
Global Strike forces participate in strategic command, control exercise

U.S. Strategic Command, in coordination with other combatant commands, services and appropriate U.S. government agencies Oct. 29 concluded Exercise Global Thunder.
Oct. 10, 2014
AF releases criteria for new service medal

Air Force officials released nomination criteria for the new Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal, following Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James’ May 27, 2014, authorization. The medal will be awarded to individuals for their direct support of nuclear deterrence operations.
Sept. 29, 2014
Global Strike provides deterrence for the modern era

The Air Force recently demonstrated its nuclear deterrence and power projection capabilities through a coordinated display of strategic combat power.Air Force Global Strike Command Airmen -- responsible for two legs of the nation's nuclear triad -- conducted the demonstrations, which included
Aug. 27, 2014
Nuclear deterrence: The silent sentinel

Global conflict and instability have always been a part of human history, and America’s nuclear forces serve as the nation’s ultimate form of deterrence in a world where global engagements are becoming increasingly complex.
April 29, 2014
On eight deployments per month, missileer provides nuclear deterrence

Almost eight times a month, 1st Lt. Brittany Morton, 490th Missile Squadron missile combat crew commander, sits below a missile alert facility, for 24 hours, providing a hand of deterrence for the nation as a missileer at Malmstrom Air Force Base, Mont.
April 11, 2014
AF leadership reinforces importance of nuclear mission on the Hill

Air Force nuclear deterrence operations serve a central role in providing deterrence and maintaining stability in today’s increasingly complex national security environment.
March 7, 2014
DOD official discusses nuclear deterrence in Congress

The Defense Department's nuclear deterrent is the ultimate protection for the United States while also assuring distant allies of their security against regional aggression, a senior Pentagon official told Congress March 7.
Aug. 8, 2013
For missileers, perfection is the goal

One of the three core values in the Air Force is “excellence in all we do.” Missileers take this core value to heart, and for good reason.