New commander, Air Force Global Strike Command, visits Warren

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  • By Staff Reports
  • 90th Missile Wing Public Affairs
F. E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, WYO --  Air Force Global Strike Command's new top leader visited Airmen here Tuesday, during his first full week in command, visiting all six of the command's major units at five bases in just three days.

Addressing hundreds of Airmen here, Lt. Gen. Jim Kowalski reiterated the importance of the nuclear mission and the challenge of "reestablishing the culture that recognizes the special trust and responsibility associated with nuclear weapons."

"Nuclear deterrence and global strike underpin our nation's strength diplomatically, politically, and militarily," General Kowalski said. "These capabilities provide a framework for stability in our relations with other major powers", he said.

On a frigid winter day, the general recognized the often challenging conditions and the importance of the mission to national security. Global Strike Airmen at strategic missile bases deploy to the field every day, manning missile alert facilities controlled by U.S. Strategic Command, General Kowalski said.

"While they may not deploy overseas, they report directly to STRATCOM and the President of the United States during that time," he said.

The general encouraged Airmen to innovate but said he will not be the source of the good ideas that make the command stronger and better. Every Airman out in the field and on the flight line knows his or her job best, and they are the ones who will have the best ideas on how to improve productivity, he said. It is the headquarters' responsibility to provide the resources, guidance and people the units need to implement those good ideas, he said.

General Kowalski outlined three challenges for Global Strike Command.
The first challenge is to consolidate recent successes and continuing to build the nuclear culture, he said. "We have to be very careful, meticulous and methodical in our work," the General said.

Second, while pursing excellence in nuclear issues, it is important not to forget the conventional, or non-nuclear, missions in support of ongoing conflicts.

The third challenge is to sustain and modernize the current force while still preparing for future challenges. "This requires us to be more thoughtful about increasing productivity, and to encourage a culture open to change, innovation, and new ideas" General Kowalski said.

During his visit here, General Kowalski also met with senior non-commissioned officers over lunch at the Chadwell Dining Facility, and toured missile maintenance facilities.