US Air Force Base For Global Strike Command

Friday, April 03, 2009
Courtesy Of The Daily Times Of Pakistan

* New strike command created to better manage nation’s N-arsenal

WASHINGTON: Barksdale Air Force Base in the southern state of Louisiana has been selected to house the US Air Force’s new global strike command.

The air force notified lawmakers of the decision on Thursday and was expected to make a public announcement in the afternoon. “It’s extremely important,” said Republican Representative John Fleming, congressman for the Shreveport, Louisiana area. “This will mean temporary jobs to begin with, contract and construction, and then as many as 1,000 long-term jobs in personnel,” he added.

Better management: Air force leaders created the new strike command to manage the nation’s nuclear arsenal better after several missteps in the handling and oversight of its most sensitive materials. The command will handle long-range ballistic missiles and two types of bombers capable of carrying nuclear weapons, B-52s and B-2s. With six states competing for the work, the air force said it was looking for a base that already supports nuclear operations and has enough room for a staff of up to 900 people. Louisiana officials said Barksdale is a good match because it is among the nation’s largest bases and because its mission always has focused on long-range weapons. B-52s already fly from there. Officials in Nebraska had sought the command for Offutt Air Force Base, which is home to the Strategic Command, which has overall military control of the nation’s nuclear weapons, both of the air force and the US Navy. ap