Air Force Global Strike Command will soon take responsibility for the munitions squadrons that support the service’s nuclear mission, announced service officials Monday. Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz signed the program action directive on Nov. 20 that codifies this realignment. First announced in April, this shift expected to be completed by year’s end. The Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center at Kirtland AFB, N.M., a component of Air Force Materiel Command, previously held the responsibility for these units, which are located at F.E. Warren AFB, Wyo.; Kirtland AFB, N.M.; Malmstrom AFB, Mont.; Minot AFB, N.D.; Vandenberg AFB, Calif.; and Whiteman AFB, Mo. The Air Force is “continuing to strengthen the nuclear enterprise while seeking constant improvement and doing things the best way possible for safe, secure, and effective operations,” said Schwartz in explaining the changes. He added, “AFMC and its leaders have done an outstanding job restoring excellence in munitions operations, and they, along with the Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center, will remain a key part of the nuclear munitions sustainment and integration process.” (SAF/PA report by Vicki Stein, including list of affected units)
Earlier this week, the People’s Republic of China confirmed it is halting its nuclear arms control talks with the U.S., in retaliation for the U.S. continuing to sell arms to Taiwan. The move reinforces a “pattern of behavior” from Beijing, experts say.