Gen. Klotz welcomes Rough Riders to AFGSC

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Benjamin Stratton
  • Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs
MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --  The Air Force Global Strike Command commander visited Minot's 91st Missile Wing Tuesday and Wednesday, joining the Rough Riders as they officially came under his charge.

Calling Dec. 1 "an historic day," Lt. Gen. Frank Klotz, AFGSC commander, addressed hundreds of wing Airmen at the Defender Dome, where he presented the command's mission, vision for the future, and values Airmen should use as a guide to accomplishing their jobs.

"Air Force senior leadership knows how difficult your job is, knows how demanding it is, how exacting it is," said Gen. Klotz. The activation of the command demonstrates the Air Force's commitment to the nuclear mission, he said.

"We are bringing back focus and attention to detail," Gen. Klotz said. One command responsible for all ICBMs and all nuclear-capable bombers will provide a single strategic nuclear deterrence focus, the general said.

The general said he and the Air Force's most senior leaders are proud of the men and women of 20th Air Force and its missile wings which include the 91st Missile Wing, the 341st Missile Wing at Malmstrom AFB, Mont., and the 90th Missile Wing at F.E. Warren AFB, Wyo. The 20th AF is headquartered at F.E. Warren.

"We still have a vitally important and enduring mission," said Gen. Klotz. "President Obama said [during a speech in Prague] that as long as there are nuclear weapons in the world, we will maintain a safe, secure and effective arsenal to deter attacks against the United States and to guarantee that same defense to our allies."

In addition to assuming the 91st Missile Wing, the command, on the same day, assumed accountability for 20th Air Force and the Air Force's other two intercontinental ballistic missile wings, officials said. Additionally, the 576th Flight Test Squadron at Vandenberg AFB, Calif., as well as the 625th Strategic Operations Squadron at Offutt AFB, Neb., fall under AFGSC. The units became part of AFGSC one minute after midnight Central Time, Dec. 1, said officials at Barksdale AFB, La.

Air Force Global Strike Command was created as part of the Air Force's efforts to reinvigorate the nuclear enterprise, the general said.

"With Air Force Global Strike Command, you have a major command focused solely on your task," he said. "Whether it is operations, maintenance, security or support; we have folks working for you [at the headquarters] as strong advocates for what you need to do your job and to take care of our Airmen and their families." The general said the headquarters team has extensive expertise and understanding of the ICBM mission.

The general noted Minot is the only base in the U.S. military hosting two legs of the "nuclear triad." The nuclear triad consists of the B-52H Stratofortress and B-2 Spirit nuclear-capable bombers, the Minuteman III missile and the U.S. Navy's ballistic missile submarines.

"Our mission is to develop and provide combat-ready forces for nuclear deterrence and global strike operations in a safe, secure and credible manner. We are here to support the President of the United States and Combatant Commanders."

He also touched on the importance of education and training.

"You can aspire to be the best," he said. "You do this by continuing training and extending your knowledge through education and hard work. We can be the best."

General Klotz said it is going to take everyone, working together every day, to make the command successful, but he is sure the command's Airmen are up to the challenge.

"This is another step along a very methodical approach to reinvigorating the Air Force's nuclear enterprise."