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AFGSC flexes global muscles in May

  • Published
  • Courtesy of Air Force Global Strike Command Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. --  To say May was a busy month for Air Force Global Strike Command is an understatement.

From generating bomber aircraft in surge operations, to flying a 30-plus-hour nonstop B-52 mission, conducting a B-2 nuclear weapons system evaluation, executing an ICBM operational test launch, and honing convoy defense skills, Global Strike Airmen flawlessly executed and demonstrated the command's ability to provide nuclear deterrence and long-range strike capabilities to the President and combatant commanders.

Constant Vigilance

May 4-13, Airmen from the AFGSC headquarters, Eighth Air Force and the 2d Bomb Wing at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, the 5th Bomb Wing at Minot AFB, North Dakota, and the 509th Bomb Wing at Whiteman AFB, Missouri, demonstrated the command's ability to plan and generate aircraft during surge operations.

The scheduled training was part of Constant Vigilance, an annual AFGSC exercise designed to train and assess the command's ability to perform its conventional and nuclear missions. Using notional scenarios, command and control elements and operational units effectively demonstrated AFGSC's ability to perform nuclear deterrence operations and long-range strike missions if and when called upon to do so.

"The exercise offers AFGSC units the ability to hone their nuclear deterrence skills," said Robert Thomson, chief of AFGSC's Exercise Division. "Only with continual, robust and realistic training can we ensure our units are prepared and ready for this vital mission set."

Training and participation in exercises such as Constant Vigilance are critical to Air Force Global Strike Command's ability to respond quickly and effectively to real-world situations.

"It provides an opportunity to practice our number one priority mission and gives our Airmen the opportunity to learn and build experience, while allowing us to further hone our procedures as an integrated unit," said Col. David Benson, 509th Operations Group commander. "While providing that invaluable experience for our Airmen, it instills confidence that we can execute our primary mission."

Benson said the exercise provides a precious opportunity to train with operational command and control in the lead.

"Nuclear Operational C2 procedures are developed to be very secure for obvious reasons. However, this forces detailed and more complicated communication procedures than normal, conventional C2," he said. "It is critical to practice these procedures during exercises like Constant Vigilance so that critical nuclear C2 is ready and able when called upon."

Eager Lion

May 17-18, two B-52 Stratofortress bombers from the 2nd Bomb Wing, Barksdale AFB, La., flew a 30-plus hour, 14,000 mile nonstop mission to the U.S. Central Command area of operations to participate alongside Jordanian and other multinational forces in Exercise Eager Lion 2015.

Eager Lion is one of USCENTCOM's premiere exercises, and consists of a series of scenarios to facilitate a coordinated, partnered military response to both conventional and unconventional threats. While U.S. participation in this exercise occurs regularly, this year marked the first time a multi-role, heavy bomber has been integrated into the exercise.

During the exercise, B-52 crews joined up with Royal Jordanian Air Force F-16 fighter aircraft over Jordan, conducting a low flyover and a conventional weapons demonstration. Additionally, while in flight, bomber crews coordinated with Jordanian joint terminal attack controllers on the ground to increase cooperation and understanding regarding tactics, techniques and procedures for future interoperability.

Combined with the long-range nature of the flight, which involved four aerial refuelings, the mission showcased the flexible capabilities of the bomber force and its ability to integrate and strengthen interoperability with allies and partners around the globe.

"Partnering with other geographic combatant commands, and participating in combined training engagements with our allies and partners demonstrates our shared commitment to promoting peace and stability," said Adm. Cecil D. Haney, commander of U.S. Strategic Command. "The B-52 flights in support of Exercise Eager Lion were specifically designed to ensure maximum opportunities to synchronize and integrate USSTRATCOM bomber capabilities with regional partners, fostering cooperation and increasing interoperability among exercise partners as we work toward mutual goals."

Nuclear Weapon Systems Evaluation Program

May 19, Airmen assigned to the 509th BW conducted an end-to-end operational nuclear weapon systems evaluation, also known as a NucWSEP, demonstrating the strategic bomber force's ability to prepare, load, fly and deliver nuclear-capable munitions. As part of the NucWSEP, a B-2 Spirit bomber was tasked to generate and fly a simulated mission to deploy two inert Joint Test Assembly munitions to simulate B61-7 and B-83 gravity weapons.

During the NucWSEP, Airmen from the 509th BW's munitions and aircraft maintenance squadrons prepared and loaded the Joint Test Assemblies on the evaluation aircraft. The B-2 then flew from Whiteman AFB to the Tonopah Test Range in Nevada and released both test assemblies, striking their intended targets.

"The NucWSEP provides an operational evaluation of B-2 reliability, suitability and accuracy for the nuclear deterrence mission," said Brig. Gen. Glen VanHerck, 509th BW commander. "It has consistently demonstrated that the 509th Bomb Wing is capable of planning and executing all aspects of our nuclear mission."

Joint Test Assemblies contain no special nuclear materials and are not capable of a nuclear yield. They are built by the U.S. Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration to simulate actual weapon configurations. Using war-reserve hardware from the national stockpile, the NNSA assembles the test units, replacing weapon components with instrumentation, test equipment and ballast. Once deployed from the aircraft, sensors monitor each munition's performance to evaluate reliability, and determine if Joint Test Assemblies function as designed.

"The strong partnership between NNSA and Department of Defense was critical to the test's success and is vital to our national security" said Don Cook, NNSA's deputy administrator for defense programs. He added that "These important tests are integral to the NNSA's mission to ensure all nuclear weapons perform as designed, and that our stockpile remains safe, secure and effective for as long as nuclear weapons exist."

Glory Trip 212

May 20, a team of Air Force Global Strike Command Airmen launched an unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile equipped with a test reentry vehicle from Vandenberg AFB, California.

The ICBM's reentry vehicle, which contained a telemetry package used for operational testing, traveled approximately 4,200 miles to the Kwajalein Atoll.

Every test launch verifies the accuracy and reliability of the ICBM weapon system, providing valuable data to ensure a safe, secure and effective deterrent for as long as nuclear weapons exist. The launch team, under the direction of the 576th Flight Test Squadron at Vandenberg AFB, included Airmen from the 90th Missile Wing at F.E. Warren AFB, Wyoming, and the 625th Strategic Operations Squadron at Offutt AFB, Nebraska.

"Operational test launches are an amazing opportunity for our Airmen to see the results of their hard work first-hand," said Maj. Jacqueline Sartori from the 90th Missile Wing who served as the Task Force commander for the launch. "This launch will help us verify the reliability of our ICBM weapon system and processes."

The launch was initiated by crew members from the 625th STOS, aboard a U.S. Strategic Command Airborne Command Post E-6B aircraft employing the Airborne Launch Control System.

Lt. Col. Grayson Higby, 625th STOS commander, said everyone on the test launch team always looks forward to the end result.

"Each test marks the culmination of dedicated individual effort as well as effective coordination between multiple DoD organizations," he said. "However, most importantly, each test validates the Air Force's capability to provide a flexible nuclear deterrent capability in support of the defense of our nation."

Road Warrior

May 1-21, Missile Security Forces personnel from F.E. Warren AFB; Malmstrom AFB, Montana; and Minot AFB, honed their response force skills during Road Warrior at Camp Guernsey, Wyoming.

An annual AFGSC event hosted by 20th Air Force's 620th Ground Combat Training Squadron, Road Warrior evaluates the effectiveness of Security Forces in response to a variety of scenarios.

"All three 20th Air Force missile wings rotated their respective convoy and tactical response forces through Camp Guernsey in five-day training blocks," said George Bice, AFGSC's deputy chief for Security Forces Operations and Training. "The units honed their weapons skills and tactics knowledge, and integrated with helicopter and support personnel to protect convoys during simulated nuclear-capable weapons movements."

To bring realism to the training event, the 620th GCTS employed a dedicated opposing force.

"The 621st Contingency Response Wing from Travis Air Force Base, California, provided the OPFOR," Bice said. "This eliminated the need to use 620 CTS training cadre and unit personnel and brought credibility and objectiveness to each scenario."

For participants, Road Warrior provided realistic training opportunities against a formidable enemy.

"These exercises really tested my skills as an on scene commander, as well my ability to maneuver troops in the field to engage the enemy," said 1st Lt. Daniel Lambert, a 791st Missile Security Forces Squadron flight commander who served as a convoy commander during Road Warrior. "Each time as a new exercise began, I could feel myself and my troops becoming more and more comfortable and confident -- especially myself from a command and control prospective.

"The job we do is very important when it comes to the defense of this nation," Lambert concluded. "This training helps ensure we remain ready and vigilant while safeguarding America's missile complexes."

(Information and images courtesy of 2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs, 5th Bomb Wing Public Affairs, 30th Space Wing Public Affairs, 509th Bomb Wing Public Affairs, Air Force Global Strike Command Public Affairs, Air Force Public Affairs Agency, U.S. Central Command Public Affairs and U.S. Strategic Command Public Affairs.)