AF Under Secretary highlights AFGSC mission Published Nov. 19, 2010 SHREVEPORT, La. -- Excerpts from the Under Secretary of the Air Force, the Honorable Erin C. Conaton's speech given during the Air Force Global Strike Command Technology and Innovation Symposium Nov. 17. "We're celebrating the first year of Global Strike Command, but our nuclear mission has a rich heritage. For more than 60 years in a variety of command structures, our Airmen have done an incredible job of remaining vigilant and prepared to respond, in order to deter the threat of nuclear attack. "It was brave Airmen like you--missileers and bomber crews--who helped to defuse the Cuban Missile Crisis, won the Cold War, and even now stand watch to deter aggression from around the globe. "Because we live in a world where nuclear weapons exist, and we face enemies that seek to do us grave harm, our missileers stand constant alert. Our bombers remain prepared to generate. Our nuclear security forces continually patrol. And our maintainers and force support personnel ensure our weapons systems and operators are always at the ready. "They do all this while focusing on excellence, adhering to the highest standards, and executing the precise day-to-day operations required of those responsible for our nuclear weapons systems. It is an amazing thing you do, and you serve a grateful nation."