AIR FORCE GLOBAL STRIKE COMMAND
Air Force Global Strike Command, activated Aug. 7, 2009, is a major command with headquarters at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, in the Shreveport-Bossier City community. AFGSC is comprised of more than 33,700 Airmen and civilians responsible for the nation's three intercontinental ballistic missile wings, the Air Force’s entire bomber force, to include B-52, B-1 and B-2 wings, the Long Range Strike Bomber program, Air Force Nuclear Command, Control and Communications (NC3) systems, and operational and maintenance support to organizations within the nuclear enterprise.
As the Air Component, we enable the command and control (C2) of fielded forces for USSTRATCOM through all phases of conflict and demonstrate that capability to our adversaries. Our capabilities should deter our adversaries from competing with us in the military dimension because we are postured to execute our mission in any contested environment. Our successful end state reflects C2 and fielded forces providing margin and decision space to our senior leaders while simultaneously leaving no doubt our ability to violently execute when directed.
Mission
Airmen providing long-range precision strike…anytime, anywhere!
Vision
Innovative leaders providing safe, secure and lethal combat-ready forces for nuclear and conventional global strike…today and tomorrow!
Motto
ALWAYS Ready!
Organizations
Approximately 33,700 professionals are assigned to two numbered air forces, nine wings, two geographically-separated squadrons and one detachment in the continental United States and deployed to locations around the globe. Major units include:
20th Air Force: Headquarters, F.E. Warren AFB, Wyo.
- 90th Missile Wing, F.E. Warren AFB, Wyo.
- 91st Missile Wing, Minot AFB, N.D.
- 341st Missile Wing, Malmstrom AFB, Mont.
- 377th Air Base Wing, Kirtland AFB, N.M.
- 582nd Helicopter Group at F.E. Warren AFB, Wyo. (UH-1N)
- 620th Ground Combat Training Squadron at Camp Guernsey, Wyo.
- 576th Flight Test Squadron, Vandenberg AFB, Calif.
- 595th Command and Control Group, Offutt AFB, Neb.
8th Air Force: Headquarters, Barksdale AFB, La.
- 2nd Bomb Wing, Barksdale AFB, La. (B-52)
- 5th Bomb Wing at Minot AFB, N.D (B-52)
- 7th Bomb Wing, Dyess AFB, Texas (B-1)
- 28th Bomb Wing, Ellsworth AFB, S.D. (B-1)
- 509th Bomb Wing, Whiteman AFB, Mo (B-2)
- 625th Strategic Operations Squadron at Offutt AFB, Neb.
Air Force Reserve Total Force Integration assets include:
- 307th Wing (AFRC), Barksdale AFB, La. (B-52)
- 131st Bomb Wing (ANG), Whiteman AFB, Mo. (B-2)
Other AFGSC Assets:
- USAF Nuclear Command, Control and Communications Center (USAF NC3)
- Air Operations Group, Otis Air National Guard Base, Mass.
- Detachment, Langley Air Force Base, Va.
- 153rd Command and Control Squadron, F.E. Warren AFB, Wyo.
ICBM Capabilities
America's alert ICBMs are ready to launch on any given day, and America's ICBM team plays a critical role in maintaining global stability and ensuring the Nation's safety and security. 400 Minuteman III missiles provide a critical component of America's on-alert strategic forces. As the nation's "silent sentinels," ICBMs and the Airmen who operate them have remained on continuous, around-the-clock alert since 1959.
The Ground Based Strategic Deterrent (GBSD) system will replace the Minuteman III ICBM with an initial capability of 2029; modernizing the U.S.’s ICBM force with updated command and control features.
Helicopter Capabilities
AFGSC is the Air Force's lead command for and largest operator of UH-1N Iroquois helicopters. The UH-1N is a light-lift helicopter used to support various AFGSC missions. The primary missions include supporting ICBM operations in the missile fields, providing security and surveillance of off-base nuclear convoys and providing airlift capabilities for emergency security forces and distinguished visitors.
AFGSC stood up Detachment 7 on Dec. 18, 2019, at Duke Field, Florida, for the arrival of the command’s new MH-139A helicopter, “The Grey Wolf.” This is the first service-unique helicopter acquired by the Air Force and first aircraft ever acquired by the command since its inception in August 2009. The helicopters will replace the UH-1N fleet to provide security and support for the nation’s intercontinental ballistic missile fields in Wyoming, Montana, North Dakota, Colorado, and Nebraska.
Bomber Capabilities
The B-52 Stratofortress is a long-range, nuclear and conventional heavy bomber that can perform a variety of missions. The bomber can fly at high subsonic speeds at altitudes reaching 50,000 feet. It has an unrefueled combat range in excess of 8,800 miles and can carry precision-guided ordnance with worldwide precision navigation. The revitalization of the aircraft power plant, as well as a plan for future upgrades, will enable our fleet relevance until 2050.
The B-1B Lancer is a long-range strategic bomber, capable of flying intercontinental missions without refueling. It is a highly versatile, multi-mission weapon system, carrying the largest payload of both guided and unguided weapons in the Air Force inventory for theater operations. We will continue to prepare the fleet for the high-end fight, both structurally and in our incorporation of evolving weapon sets.
The B-2 Spirit is the world’s most technologically advanced strategic bomber capable of long-range nuclear and conventional stealth bomber capabilities. The bomber can fly at high subsonic speeds at altitudes that can reach 50,000 feet. The B-2 brings massive firepower, in a short time, anywhere on the globe through the most challenging defenses.
The B-21 Rader will replace the B-1 and B-2 with an initial capability of 2028; modernizing the U.S.’s conventional and nuclear bomber force. Until the B-21 is fully fielded, AFGSC continues to maintain the proper balance of fleet modernization and sustainment with the B-1 and B-2 while maintaining combat readiness.
As the NC3 lead for the Air Force, AFGSC supports CDRUSSTRATCOM priorities of sustaining current NC3 systems and replacing the legacy systems with next generation NC3 technology to ensure secure, reliable, and resilient nuclear command and control capabilities to the President and warfighters.
Command Emblem
The globe reflects the command's global capabilities and the golden wings represent the dominance in the air and reflect our lineage to the Army Air Corps. The blue field alludes to the sky, the primary domain of the Air Force. The star represents clarity of purpose to maintain readiness and deter adversaries. The red disc symbolizes past and present Airmen who have made individual sacrifices to achieve mission goals. The lightning flashes, symbolic of speed and power, represent our war-fighting mission should deterrence fail, and remind us of our lineage to Strategic Air Command.
Point of Contact
Air Force Global Strike Command, Public Affairs Office; 245 Davis Avenue East, Suite 198; Barksdale AFB, LA 71110; DSN 781-1305 or 318-456-7844; e-mail: afgsc.paworkflow@us.af.mil
(Current as of April 2021)