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Source: United States Air Force
FORT GEORGE G. MEADE, Md. (AFNS) —
In this week’s look around the Air Force, training for Airmen leans toward a mission over function mindset, an electric cargo plane makes a successful test flight between two Air Force bases, and U.S. Airmen join international troops for two large-scale exercises led by Germany and Australia. (Hosted by Senior Airman Saomy Sabournin)
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For previous episodes, click here for the Air Force TV page.
Source: United States Air Force
EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska —
Over 500 personnel from the U.S., German, French, Spanish and Canadian air forces as well as the U.S. Marine Corps participated in Arctic Defender 24 at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, July 8-18.
AD24 is a German Air Force-led field training exercise and part of the months-long deployment known as Pacific Skies. This deployment includes various exercise locations across the Indo-Pacific region, including the U.S., Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia and India.
“Pacific Skies is unique because it’s the first time that the German air force will deploy all around the world,” said Brig. Gen. Frank Gräfe, German Air Force Pacific Skies commanding general. “To put it all together, this is indeed a unique exercise which has not happened before like this.”
This marks the first year that Eielson has hosted the German air force and our other NATO partners for AD24.
“In short, Arctic Defender aims to push everyone’s limits with a high-flying exercise involving complex scenarios,” said French Air Force Col. Eric, Arctic Defender French Detachment colonel and Pegase deputy commander. “We’ll be developing and improving interoperability between nations. It’s also a clear message to all: we’re stronger together.”
Training with joint service members and allies during AD24 operations enhances our lethality and interoperability, enabling our forces to counter military aggression and coercion by sharing responsibilities for common defense.
“Joint exercises like this are important because they simulate real world operations, and this is how we’re going to fight,” said U.S. Marine Corps Col. William Mitchell, Marine Aircraft Group 11 commanding officer. “The more we can train with our allies, partners and sister services, the better prepared we will be on the day of execution.”
Airmen from Eielson AFB supported AD24 by sharing their knowledge of adversarial tactics, techniques and procedures with participating units. This ensures that the U.S. and its allies receive the best air combat training possible.
“I think it’s a great opportunity to work with people doing different things and to get familiar with it,” said Spanish Air Force Capt. Jose Caamaño, 14th Wing fighter pilot. “We also have a wider range of weaponry here compared to Spain, so it’s a great opportunity for tactical missions.”
Eielson AFB and Joint Base Elmendorf Richardson were chosen as the exercise locations due to the size of the Joint Pacific Alaska Range Complex, which spans more than 77,000 square miles, making it the largest combat training range in the world. Alaska also offers minimal air traffic, providing ample space for joint operations.
“We would like to thank the German, French, Canadian and Spanish air forces for making Arctic Defender 24 a success,” said U.S. Air Force Capt. Weston Umano, AD24 team chief. “The hard work and dedication of our allies is unmatched and the quality of training for AD24 followed suit. Events like this exercise showcase our combined joint interoperability; NATO is stronger together.”
By strengthening collaboration and coordination with our allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific through multilateral alliances, we can effectively address security challenges, enhance interoperability and foster international trust.
Source: United States Air Force
LONDON (AFNS) —
U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David W. Allvin emphasized the importance of “Collective Agility” during a keynote address to global leaders, industry partners, and academics in the air and space defense industry at the Global Air and Space Chiefs’ Conference in London, July 18.
Allvin’s remarks directly reflected the GASCC 2024 focus – deterrence, the importance of interoperability and integration to deter adversaries, and how Air and Space Forces can work together to seamlessly counter future threats.
“Interoperability and a high-level of integration are the building blocks of Collective Agility,” Allvin said.
Collective Agility, as introduced and described by Allvin in London, expands upon his past statements that the U.S. Air Force must “solve for agility – initiating action in the right direction and building in the flexibility to learn and adjust while in motion. This is the spirit in which we must pursue the efforts to optimize for the environment we face.”
To Allvin, solving for agility means adapting to the threat with a new kind of speed, power, and balance. In doing so, the U.S. Air Force’s processes, operating procedures and decision-making will prove more responsive and effective in countering its pacing threat.
Collective Agility is achieved when every member of the fighting coalition is synchronized, acting and reacting in concert. Through dynamic and effective command and control, the entire coalition force package can have superior situational awareness and demonstrate the speed of recognition, decision, and action required to seize and maintain the initiative.
To demonstrate his point, Allvin showed imagery of birds flying in formation during his keynote. Each bird moves in perfect synchronization with its teammates; threats come, and the entire flock reacts as one.
“This is Collective Agility,” Allvin said. “It can be a new form of combat power.”
In a primer authored by Allvin and submitted to the conference for publication, Allvin wrote, “A single bird in the air or a fish in the ocean uses agility to effectively navigate through their domain, but a flock of predatory Harris’ Hawks, or a school of barracudas are a force to be reckoned with. Their Collective Agility provides the movement and power to work together with tremendous effect. Individual squadrons throughout many of our air forces achieve this level of synchronicity. The challenge is synchronizing across larger, dissimilar units and, eventually across air forces.”
For collective agility to become a reality amongst the Air Force and its allies and partners, increased information sharing and the prioritization of mission systems over singular platforms is fundamental, Allvin said.
In the same primer, Allvin penned “Integration starts with us. Common values like respect for sovereignty, liberty, and the rule of law form the foundation of our relationships. These relationships translate into strategic real-time intelligence sharing and culminate in integrated battlespace activities. The multinational collaboration we’ve seen in support of Ukraine over the past 28 months is an example of what’s possible.”
In the document, he went on to cite NATO’s employment of standardized technology as a “promising first step” and described the rapid development of unmanned aerial systems, “embodying bleeding-edge lessons learned from the battlefield,” as another example of what can be accomplished with true collaboration.
Allvin concluded the primer stating “Agility must extend beyond battlefield capabilities and permeate the very fibers of our relationships, resulting in institutional — and eventually — Collective Agility. This is our destination. We’ll know we’ve reached it when, just like the school of fish as it changes direction, our actions appear seamless, guided by our common goals and enabled by our Collective Agility.”
“We can do this together,” he stated in his keynote. “This [Collective Agility] is the edge we can deliver over potential adversaries.”
Allvin also warned time is of the essence, which is why the Department of the Air Force is reoptimizing itself for Great Power Competition.
“The risk on inaction is going up,” Allvin said. “We have to open our eyes and look at the risks of inaction.”
Source: United States Air Force
WASHINGTON (AFNS) —
Leaders of the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Space Force and the Royal Air Force have renewed their Services’ commitment to bolstering air and space integration at the operational and tactical levels.
U.S. Space Force Chief of Space Operations Gen. Chance Saltzman, U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Allvin, and Royal Air Force Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Sir Rich Knighton signed a Shared Vision Statement on Combined Air and Space Power in the 21st century at the RAF’s Global Air & Space Chiefs’ Conference in London, United Kingdom, July 17.
The endeavor is a successive step in a long history of security cooperation and collaboration between the two nations and recognizes the need to rapidly adapt to a changing operational environment. Three critical lines of effort were included to drive continued partnership and support responses to global defense challenges and threats — Operational Harmonization, Capability Integration and Collective Space Dominance.
“Among great powers, space is the linchpin,” Saltzman said. “We’re part of a growing group of allies and partners that enhance our collective security through resiliency, redundancy and interoperability. Collaboration between the U.S. and the U.K. is essential to maintaining our combined force’s competitive advantage across all domains.”
As the NATO alliance celebrates its 75th anniversary, this shared vision exemplifies U.S. efforts to work with NATO allies and European partners to adapt and modernize its approach to challenges in an era of Great Power Competition. It also emphasizes that building upon existing common ground and shared perspective is a key component of shared success and serves as a foundation for closer cooperation.
“No nation can successfully confront today’s dynamic security environment alone,” Allvin said. “By increasing our integration with the Royal Air Force, we are enhancing our collective ability to address the threats we face. We will continue to invest in partnerships like this to build enduring advantages while simultaneously strengthening deterrence.”
The statement also reaffirms the long and historic partnership between the U.S. and one of its closest and most capable partners and strengthens the allied strategic advantage across all domains.
“Through working together, we continue to build our long history of close military security co-operation as two NATO partners,” Knighton said.
Source: United States Air Force
WASHINGTON (AFNS) —
Leaders of the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Space Force and the Royal Air Force have renewed their Services’ commitment to bolstering air and space integration at the operational and tactical levels.
U.S. Space Force Chief of Space Operations Gen. Chance Saltzman, U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Allvin, and Royal Air Force Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Sir Rich Knighton signed a Shared Vision Statement on Combined Air and Space Power in the 21st Century at the RAF’s Global Air & Space Chiefs’ Conference in London, United Kingdom, July 17.
The endeavor is a successive step in a long history of security cooperation and collaboration between the two nations and recognizes the need to rapidly adapt to a changing operational environment. Three critical lines of effort were included to drive continued partnership and support responses to global defense challenges and threats — Operational Harmonization, Capability Integration and Collective Space Dominance.
“Among great powers, space is the linchpin,” Saltzman said. “We’re part of a growing group of allies and partners that enhance our collective security through resiliency, redundancy and interoperability. Collaboration between the U.S. and the U.K. is essential to maintaining our combined force’s competitive advantage across all domains.”
As the NATO alliance celebrates its 75th anniversary, this shared vision exemplifies U.S. efforts to work with NATO allies and European partners to adapt and modernize its approach to challenges in an era of Great Power Competition. It also emphasizes that building upon existing common ground and shared perspective is a key component of shared success and serves as a foundation for closer cooperation.
“No nation can successfully confront today’s dynamic security environment alone,” Allvin said. “By increasing our integration with the Royal Air Force, we are enhancing our collective ability to address the threats we face. We will continue to invest in partnerships like this to build enduring advantages while simultaneously strengthening deterrence.”
The statement also reaffirms the long and historic partnership between the U.S. and one of its closest and most capable partners and strengthens the allied strategic advantage across all domains.
“Through working together, we continue to build our long history of close military security co-operation as two NATO partners,” Knighton said.
Source: United States Air Force
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas (AFNS) —
A team of Air Force Civil Engineer Center geospatial experts are using emergent technologies to push geospatial services to new heights and give commanders a powerful tool for today’s Great Power Competition.
“As technologies continue to advance, GeoBase’s impact is growing,” said Scott Ensign, DAF GeoBase Program manager.
“We touch most, if not all, facets of Department of the Air Force operations. Our geospatial engineering applications, tools and services produce and integrate data that enhances garrison, strategic and expeditionary objectives,” Ensign said. “The data and services we provide arm commanders with the knowledge they need to make sound decisions at the right time.”
Established in 2001, the DAF GeoBase Program has consistently delivered geospatial information and services that enhance combat support and reduce operational risks. Today, with advancing technologies and evolving mission requirements, the program’s geospatial services are reaching unprecedented levels of sophistication.
“The GeoBase program is a critical component to providing the ground truth senior DAF leaders need for accurate decision-making,” said Thomas Timmerman, Air Force director of future warfare analysis. “Great Power Competition requires continued innovation with a focus toward operational planning and analysis.”
More than 50 geospatial professionals at AFCEC’s San Antonio-based Geospatial Engineering Office continuously seek to exploit innovative technologies, processes and practices that support a broad spectrum of functional and operational mission requirements.
“We do more than create maps,” said Julio Toala, GEO future operations manager. “We enhance nearly all facets of DAF operations.”
He said new GeoBase technologies have led to improved geospatial capabilities that support operational functions, base infrastructure initiatives, and the needs of combatant commanders and warfighters.
For example, GeoBase capabilities supported security at the U.S. Embassy in Haiti by improving situational awareness for commanders earlier this year. It was integral in supporting warfighters by providing precise and up-to-date engineering and site data analyses. The contributions helped to ensure the smooth continuation of embassy mission operations and facilitated the departure of non-essential personnel.
“The geospatial site picture enhanced security at the U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince during a time of ongoing political unrest in Haiti,” Toala said. “In addition to the site picture, we provided a bare base-bed down design and airfield parking plans, all supplemented by comprehensive map support.”
The GeoBase program also played a pivotal role in organizing and providing geospatial support in anticipation of the secretary of the Air Force team’s visit to Japan in April.
“The visit aimed to strengthen defense cooperation between the United States and Japan during a period of significant advancements in operational support priorities for the Indo-Pacific region,” Toala said. “Our geospatial products included extensive digital maps of fuel tank and ammunition storage areas, which are critical for this significant future endeavor.”
GeoBase can also help commanders assess installation damage after a disaster or other event. In the aftermath of a tornado at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, Feb. 28, the GeoBase team used remote sensing data and conducted thorough geospatial data processing and analyses, while employing cost-effective survey tools, said José Alfonsín, small unmanned aircraft system capabilities developer.
“The data we provide equips commanders with the crucial knowledge they need to make informed decisions at the right time,” Alfonsín said. “By continually pushing the boundaries of geospatial capabilities, the DAF GeoBase Program ensures that the DAF remains agile and ready to face the challenges of today’s strategic landscape.”
Source: United States Air Force
Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other.John F. Kennedy
Airmen,
In this time of consequence, we stand at a critical juncture with the opportunity to shape the architecture of our current and future Air Force. As we reoptimize and adapt to the challenges of an evolving security environment, your leadership has never been more important. This next installment of the Leadership Library is intended to provide you with a collection of resources designed to educate, inspire, and provoke thoughtful discussion.
John Kotter’s Leading Change is a must-read for Airmen seeking to drive meaningful change and innovation. Drawing on real-life examples, Kotter outlines a multi-step process that enables leaders to navigate the complexities of change and overcome resistance. By understanding the nuances of change management, Airmen will be better equipped to create a more agile and adaptive force.
George Marshall: Defender of the Republic is a thought-provoking biography exploring one of America’s most influential military leaders and statesmen. By examining Marshall’s leadership style and decision-making process, Airmen will gain valuable insights into strategic planning and crisis management. This work will aid Airmen seeking to better understand the complexities of leadership and the importance of character in shaping outcomes. General Marshall was clearly an extremely effective leader in a time of consequence.
In this At the Table episode Unveiling the Motivation Vacuum in the Workplace, the podcast offers practical strategies for leaders to enhance motivation, retention, culture, and productivity. The key to success lies in aligning individual and team goals while fostering resilience. This episode provides valuable insights into the challenges of maintaining motivation in the workplace and offers actionable solutions for leaders to create a more driven and productive team.
The recently released CNAS report, Evolution not Revolution: Drone Warfare in Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, explores the transformative impact of drones on the battlefield. The report provides an insightful analysis of the changing character of war, focusing on the role of drones in modern warfare. As Airmen, it is crucial to stay informed about the latest technological advancements and their implications for the battlefield.
This library release is designed to empower Airmen at all levels by exploring advanced technologies, delving into the intricacies of leadership, and drawing parallels between historical and contemporary contexts. Through engaging with these selections, I am confident that you will be better equipped to meet the challenges we face today. These titles can be accessed and tracked through the E-Learning CSAF Library Journey.
Together, we will continue to ensure that our Air Force remains the most formidable and ready force in the world. Stay curious, stay engaged, and lead with confidence.
Editor’s note: The CSAF Leadership Library is a fluid set of media selected by Gen. Allvin that evolves as novel ideas are published, recorded and debated. New entries will be added periodically throughout the year.
Describes the key qualities managers must have to make their companies stronger in a changing market, and discusses the most common mistakes managers make in trying to change their companies
The extraordinary career of George Catlett Marshall—America’s most distinguished soldier–statesman since George Washington—whose selfless leadership and moral character influenced the course of two world wars and helped define the American century.
Unveiling the Motivation Vacuum in the Workplace
If a leader does not provide employees with a primary motivation, something else will fill that gap. In this At the Table episode, Patrick Lencioni and the team discuss alignment around clarity and the difference between micro and macro motivations.
Evolution not Revolution: Drone Warfare in Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine
This report is part of a larger project exploring how drones are affecting great-power competition and a potential future war between the United States and China. It focuses on lessons learned from drone operations in Ukraine.
Source: United States Air Force
MALACKY AIR BASE, Slovakia (AFNS) —
Airmen from the 435th Air Ground Operations Wing completed the installation of a new Barrier Arresting Kit-12 allowing U.S. Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa F-16 Fighting Falcons to land at Malacky Air Base, July 10.
The BAK-12 installation demonstrates teamwork by strengthening the Slovak partnership as a North Atlantic Treaty Organization ally and emphasizes the importance of initiatives to maintain and reinforce readiness, collaboration, and interoperability, said Col. Matthew A. Bartlett, 435th Air Ground Operations Wing commander.
A team of 435th Air Ground Operations Wing Airmen, 31st Fighter Wing pilots and the Slovak air force worked together to ensure the successful installation of the BAK-12. The final test to certify the system was successfully performed on July 10, 2024. Following the certification testing, the Slovak AF assumed responsibility for maintaining the new BAK-12 system at Malacky AB during a handover ceremony.
“The BAK-12 system at Malacky Air Base not only enhances our deterrence posture but also demonstrates our unwavering commitment to NATO’s defensive alliance,” said Bartlett. “U.S. forces are ready and postured to integrate seamlessly with Slovak allies and other NATO partners to deter threats and defend our alliances.”
The new BAK-12 system is a tangible example of how the United States and allies can work together to ensure global security, said Bartlett.
The BAK-12 system and strategic introduction of F-16’s into the Slovak AF fleet reinforces Slovak national security and demonstrates the Slovak dedication to maintaining a robust and modern military force, said Martin Vojtašovič, Ministry of Defence of the Slovak Republic state secretary.
“This initiative is part of a broader framework of cooperation and partnership with the United States,” said Vojtašovič.
USAFE-AFAFRICA implements concepts such as Agile Combat Employment, which promotes unification with allies and partners to deter, defend and win across the spectrum of conflict. ACE allows the U.S. to work closely with European allies and partners to deliver lethal combat power, remain agile in execution, and strategic in deterrence, said Bartlett.
“This new capability allows Airmen and aircrews to conduct agile combat operations, delivering lethal combat power wherever and whenever needed,” said Bartlett.
Bartlett expressed how this adaptive capability is crucial in today’s dynamic security environment, where the ability to rapidly deploy and sustain operations is essential. Installation of the BAK-12 at Malacky AB adds to the operational agility of the U.S. and Slovak Air Force by allowing F-16’s to utilize Malacky AB.
The BAK-12 is a mechanical barrier that aids in decelerating aircraft when landing. The certification test was performed by a successful pass of an F-16 through the system, bringing the aircraft to a complete stop. Once the F-16 was at a stop, the BAK-12 system and the aircraft were thoroughly inspected.
The 435th AGOW has dedicated significant effort to ensure the BAK-12 system was a success.
Source: United States Air Force
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio (AFNS) —
The Air Force Materiel Command held its annual Agile Patriot conference July 9-11, at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, preparing junior uniformed and civilian Airmen to meet today’s challenges.
The event focused on reoptimization for Great Power Competition and the importance of care of mission, self and others.
Gen. Duke Z. Richardson, AFMC Commander, provided opening remarks and addressed a variety of topics including collaboration, his leadership philosophy and tips that helped him become the leader he is today.
“I greatly value the three components that make up AFMC: the uniformed Airmen, civilian Airmen and our contractor support,” Richardson said. “We’re working together in a way that I’ve never seen before to come up with something that’s going to win. We need you to continue working together and executing mission successes for that to happen.”
Richardson shared his thoughts on being a successful leader and offered tips to help Airmen navigate their Air Force journeys.
“I encourage you to start journaling if you don’t already do so,” Richardson said. “Start now, and don’t make it complicated. Write down things that stick with you: ideas, thoughts, quotes, leadership ideas or stories of something that did or didn’t work. Just start writing them down, because in 10 or 15 years, you’ll be up here briefing on how to become a successful leader.”
Day one included presentations on the National Defense Strategy, a world threat overview and challenging leadership scenarios.
“Agile Patriot is a game-changer,” remarked Capt. Sarah Collins, a program participant from the Air Force Research Laboratory. “It immerses us in leadership scenarios that feel incredibly real, allowing us to practice our skills in a way that traditional classroom settings simply can’t match.”
Day two of the event focused on resilience and talking care of oneself and the team.
Lorna Estep, AFMC executive director, offered her senior leader perspective and spoke about the importance of mentoring.
“Mentoring isn’t just about helping people go the next step or get the next opportunity,” Estep said. “It’s about talking about the realism of what’s right. It’s also important to talk about weaknesses we can all work on to become a better, more well-rounded leaders.”
The final day included leadership perspectives from various individuals across the AFMC enterprise and Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.
Chief Master Sgt. James E. Fitch II, AFMC command chief master sergeant, described leadership as a journey between peaks, plateaus, and valleys.
“You’re going to experience highs, lows, and everything in between,” Fitch said. “When you are in the valley, don’t stay there too long. You must have something that helps you escape that valley. You are all hard-charging Airmen, and as you push along and climb whatever your Mount Everest in life is, it’s not okay to die on that hill. Sometimes, you just have to settle for Kilimanjaro instead.”
The event concluded with a keynote speech from retired Chief Master Sgt. Ramón “CZ” Colón-López, former Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, where he highlighted how sustained hard work and commitment can be rewarding and open doors for future opportunities.
“Eventually, we start realizing that when you put in hard work, there’s going to be some kind of reward,” Colón-López said. “It’s not going to be immediate, but that’s really when you start believing in the things that you need to do. That’s the commitment. The lightbulb moment for me was when I saw a pair of young Airmen coming to me for advice. I realized that my commitment was to help grow the future.”
As the Air Force continues to evolve in response to emerging threats and technological advancements, Agile Patriot fortifies AFMC’s proactive approach to training and development. By investing in programs like Agile Patriot, AFMC enhances operational readiness and reinforces its focus on building the Air Force leaders of the future.
Source: United States Air Force
ARLINGTON, Va. (AFNS) —
Under Secretary of the Air Force Melissa Dalton, Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force David Flosi, and several other senior leaders visited F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyoming, July 1-2.
The group was immersed with Airmen from 20th Air Force and the 90th Missile Wing to discuss nuclear modernization and better understand the vital role of the Intercontinental Ballistic Missile force.
Four-hundred ICBMs form the most responsive leg of the nation’s nuclear triad alongside bomber and submarine-launched nuclear weapons. The geographically dispersed basing of the ICBM force, in addition to the range and speed in which it can be employed, complicates potential adversaries’ decision calculus.
“The ground leg of the triad is essential,” Dalton emphasized. “Its responsiveness deters potential threats by signaling that any attack on the U.S. would be impractical, self-defeating and met with severe consequences.”
During the trip, all leaders agreed that while the current weapon system is reliable for now, the Air Force must prioritize a replacement to ensure effectiveness and credibility well into the future.
“Our Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles are the most responsive leg of our nation’s nuclear triad. It requires sustained and fully funded investments,” Flosi added. “Without these resources, we risk leaving ourselves vulnerable to 21st century threats. We must continue to prioritize these investments in order to ensure our military remains the best in the world.”
The Air Force’s fleet of ICBMs have remained on around-the-clock alert since 1959 with the last major recapitalization occurring in the 1980s. The current Minuteman III missiles and 450 launch facilities are set to be replaced by the increasingly accurate, secure and reliable Sentinel program.
While the Sentinel program is one of the largest and most complex programs the Air Force has ever undertaken, it will drastically improve the overall effectiveness of the nuclear triad to counter current and future strategic risks.
“Modernizing the ground-based deterrent while sustaining the Minuteman III system is a challenge that demands significant, responsible investment and a holistic approach,” Dalton noted. “In the face of the nuclear modernization by our competitors, it’s imperative to modernize our own force to underwrite our nation’s defense and uphold our extended deterrence commitments to our allies.”
After a mission brief at 20th Air Force headquarters, the group was hosted at Missile Alert Facility A-01 by missileers, defenders and a myriad of Airmen who perform other critical support functions.
First Lts. Connor Tovey and Sydney Kongquee, 319th Missile Squadron missileers, talked through a day in their life during a 24-hour shift. After a lengthy drive to the facility, the pair travels 60-70 feet underground into a capsule where they monitor their assigned launch facilities and wait for an order they hope never comes, though it’s an order they’re determined to execute if necessary.
Maintaining and operating the 15 missile alert facilities and various launch facilities across F.E. Warren’s 9,600 square-mile missile field is a 24-hour, seven-days a week responsibility.
Flosi, who joined the Air Force in 1996 as a nuclear weapons specialist, is vividly familiar with the importance of the job.
“Our Airmen are critical to national security,” Flosi said. “They are on the front lines of deterrence every single day, working tirelessly to ensure our nation is protected from any threat. Dedicated and professional Airmen are what makes our Air Force the best in the world.”
Later, the group toured a launch facility, more commonly referred to as an underground missile silo. The senior leaders witnessed first-hand how a highly skilled, disciplined cadre of maintainers have kept the Minuteman III operational for more than 50 years.
Until the transition to the Sentinel program is made, the Air Force will continue to rely on these maintainers to ensure the Minuteman III remains a reliable and effective deterrent.
“After meeting these Airmen, and learning about their creativity and innovation, I’ve never been more confident in our military’s ability to deter threats to the U.S. and our allies,” Dalton said. “We owe it our Airmen to ensure that we modernize the force.”