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8th Air Force transfers nonbomber units, continues nuclear enterprise transformation

  • Published
  • By Maj. Richard Komurek
  • 8th Air Force Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. --  Eighth Air Force reached a milestone in its Nuclear Enterprise Transformation today with the transfer of its non-bomber units to 9th and 12th Air Forces.

Under this unit reassignment, 12th Air Force officials at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., gains control of the 9th Reconnaissance Wing at Beale AFB, Calif.; the 55th Wing at Offutt AFB, Neb.; and the 552nd Air Control Wing at Tinker AFB, Okla.

Officials from 9th Air Force at Shaw AFB, S.C., is now responsible for the 116th Air Control Wing at Robbins AFB, Ga.; and the 819th RED HORSE at Malmstrom AFB, Mont.

In addition to the realignment of units between the numbered air forces, the 5th BW weapons storage area at Minot AFB, N.D., transfers from Air Combat Command to Air Force Materiel Command. Secretary of the Air Force Michael B. Donley and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz directed the transfer of weapons storage areas to AFMC to streamline nuclear weapons sustainment.

"This transformation is creating a leaner and better focused 8th Air Force that has its sights firmly centered on the bomber force our core mission of strike operations," said Maj. Gen. Floyd L. Carpenter, the 8th Air Force commander. "This realignment of units between the numbered air forces also sets the stage for our biggest and most important milestone on the horizon, which is the transfer of 8th Air Force from Air Combat Command to Air Force Global Strike Command on Feb. 1."

These actions are administrative realignments only. No personnel will move.

The transfer of nonbomber units began in August when 8th Air Force Cyberspace Operations assets moved to 24th Air Force in San Antonio. All nonbomber assets have now been realigned out of 8th Air Force.

The nuclear enterprise transformation changes in 8th Air Force are just one part of the greater Air Force Nuclear Roadmap that calls for the consolidation all of Air Force nuclear enterprise assets under a single command. The recently activated Air Force Global Strike Command will ultimately have stewardship responsibility of all Air Force intercontinental ballistic missiles and nuclear-capable bombers.

"Ultimate success depends on our people and their constant, undivided attention and the pursuit of excellence," General Carpenter said. "I thank the members of the Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance, Command and Control Battle Management and Cyberspace Operations units that have served with 8th Air Force for their hard work and dedication. This realignment of units will not only enhance the capabilities of our individual organizations, but it will also strengthen the Air Force strategic deterrent mission as a whole."