AFGSC commander shares vision with the Mighty Ninety

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Dan Gage
  • 90th Missile Wing Public Affairs
F. E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, Wyo. --  The commander of Air Force Global Strike Command started the New Year with a visit to F. E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyo. Jan. 7.

Lieutenant Gen. James Kowalski, AFGSC commander, began 2013 by visiting with Airmen from the Mighty Ninety, touring the 90th Medical Group; 90th Logistics Readiness Squadron; ICBM Center of Excellence; Weapons Storage Area; Explosive Ordnance Disposal flight; and base dormitories.

Kowalski also spent time hosting all-calls to give his perspective on the Air Force's nuclear mission.

"This is still the number one priority in the Air Force," Kowalski explained, referring to Warren's mission of nuclear deterrence.

"Gen. Welsh recently visited here," he added, regarding the Nov. 19 visit by Gen. Mark A. Welsh, Chief of Staff of the Air Force. "That his first trip to any Air Force installation as CSAF was to our missile wings is a strong signal."

During his talks with the men and women of the 90th Missile Wing, Kowalski shared his belief in the importance of the ICBM mission.

"My number one priority is the security of the United States," Kowalski said. "ICBMs are weapons of national policy - they affect our adversaries' decision making and provide the ultimate guarantee of our national sovereignty."

The commander of AFGSC also explained the changing environment of global nuclear armament and deterrence.

"The world today is a different world than during the cold war," Kowalski explained.

He added the number of countries with nuclear capabilities has grown to nine, with the possibility of expanding in the coming years.

"These countries don't have nuclear weapons for the same reason we had them during the cold war," Kowalski went on to say. "The world may be changing but the foundation of your mission here, and its importance, is still the same as it was then -- provide a safe, secure and effective nuclear arsenal to deter adversaries and assure our allies. Simply put, 'to deter and assure.'"