20th AF units to implement 24-hour alerts Published May 2, 2008 By Maj. Gen. Roger Burg 20th Air Force commander F.E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, Wyo. -- "Transformation is an enduring part of our culture as Airmen. We are forever looking for an edge to strengthen our ability to deliver combat power for the nation." -General T. Michael Moseley, Air Force chief of staff It was in the spirit of transformation that Twentieth Air Force initiated an introspective review of the ICBM mission to strengthen our combat capability. By looking through the Air Force Smart Operations 21 lens, we aimed at resolving inefficiencies in our processes and translating any potential savings into a more lethal, professional and capable Air Force of the future. In operations, we examined our alert construct, to include Launch Control Center configuration, crew size, and alert duration. We determined that a three-person crew posted at each Missile Alert Facility for 72 hours would address several inefficiencies without sacrificing effectiveness or the ICBM standard of perfection. We expected 72-hour alerts would reduce manpower needed in each wing to sustain the crew force, reduce risk by decreasing the number of miles driven in the ICBM complex and reduce vehicle fuel costs. The new construct met two of the three primary objectives. We were able to reduce our travel footprint by almost two million miles and also cut the vehicle fuel bill for the operations groups nearly in half. But despite our initial calculations, we were unable to achieve any manpower savings, and an independent analysis of our units indicated we are now under-manned to execute this construct within Air Force manpower standards. Because of the manpower issues, there has been additional strain placed on our training and evaluation process. With more crew members in the field on any given day, including additional instructors and evaluators, the pool of personnel available to give and receive training and evaluation has been reduced. While we are still meeting all training and evaluation requirements, little time is left for additional professional development of our nuclear officers. Additionally, we have determined that before we expose crewmembers to multiple consecutive alert days, more study into environmental effects in the Launch Control Centers over extended periods of time is needed. The 72-hour duty schedule has served facility managers, chefs, and security forces well for a number of years. However, as we learned, the crew force, which is in direct command and control of our nation's most lethal nuclear arsenal, requires a level of alertness and split-second decision making which are difficult to meet under 72-hour alerts without increased manpower. Overall, the benefits don't outweigh the risks, and, therefore, effective no later than May 1, all 20th AF wings implemented 2-person crews with a 24-hour alert schedule. This will be not be a "return" to a previous way of doing business but a step forward as we meld a familiar schedule with a new mindset to apply lessons learned from the 72-hour alert test. Our transition to 24-hour alerts will be methodical and, like our alert duties, demands perfection as the standard. Transformation within 20th AF will continue as we remain convinced there are more efficient ways to operate, maintain and secure our weapon system while continuing to perform our nuclear deterrence mission to the highest standards.