8th Air Force transfers non-bomber units, continues Nuclear Enterprise Transformation Published Oct. 2, 2009 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 AF gains the 9th Reconnaissance Wing at Beale Air Force Base, Calif.; 55th Wing at Offutt Air Force Base, Neb.; and the 552nd Air Control Wing at Tinker Air Force Base, Okla. Ninth AF gains the 116th Air Control Wing at Robbins Air Force Base, Ga.; and the 819th Rapid Engineer Deployable Heavy Operational Repair Squadron Engineers (RED HORSE) at Malmstrom Air Force Base, Mont. In addition to the realignment of units between the NAFs, the 5th Bomb Wing Weapons Storage Area at Minot Air Force Base, N.D., transfers from ACC to Air Force Materiel Command. Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton A. Schwartz directed the transfer of WSAs 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 Carpenter, 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 non-bomber units began in August when 8th Air Force Cyberspace Operations assets moved to 24th Air Force in San Antonio, Texas. All non-bomber assets have now been realigned out of 8th AF. The NET changes in 8th AF 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 ICBMs and nuclear capable bombers. So while 8th AF has undergone change during this time, the one constant is the dedication of Airmen in 8th AF to the nuclear mission. "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."