News>STRATCOM commander: 'No higher calling' than nuclear mission
Photos
Gen. Kevin P. Chilton speaks Nov. 30, 2010, at Minot Air Force Base, N.D. General Chilton's visit highlighted the nuclear deterrence role of Minot AFB Airmen in the Air Force Global Strike Command mission. General Chilton is the U.S. Strategic Command commander. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Michael J. Veloz)
Gen. Kevin P. Chilton speaks Dec. 1, 2010, during a commander's call at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo. General Chilton's speech focused on the importance of Air Force Global Strike Command and nuclear deterrence. General Chilton is the U.S. Strategic Command commander. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Carlin Leslie)
Gen. Kevin P. Chilton speaks Dec. 1, 2010, during a commander's call at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo. General Chilton's speech focused on the importance of Air Force Global Strike Command and nuclear deterrence. General Chilton is the U.S. Strategic Command commander. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Carlin Leslie)
Lt. Gen. Frank Klotz (left), the commander of Air Force Global Strike Command, and Gen. Kevin Chilton, the commander of U.S. Strategic Command, meet with Airmen at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., Dec. 1, 2010, during a commander’s call. General Klotz was hosting General Chilton during visits to each of the five Global Strike Command bases. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Carlin Leslie)
by Megan Meyer
Air Force Global Strike Command Public Affairs
12/2/2010 - BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. (AFNS) -- The commander of U.S. Strategic Command visited all five Air Force Global Strike Command bases Nov. 30 and Dec. 1, telling Airmen "there is no higher calling" than the nuclear deterrence mission.
Speaking to hundreds of Airmen at commander's calls at each stop, Gen. Kevin P. Chilton emphasized how Global Strike Airmen support the larger STRATCOM mission. Global Strike Command's main role is to provide operationally capable forces to STRATCOM in the combatant command structure.
"This mission demands performance and perfection every day that, as a team, we must achieve," General Chilton said. It may sometimes be difficult "to juggle so many balls and not drop them," he said, stressing that the nuclear deterrence mission "is made of crystal, and we cannot drop that ball because the consequences would be felt worldwide."
General Chilton was accompanied at each base by Air Force Global Strike Command commander Lt. Gen. Frank Klotz. They traveled Nov. 30 to Minot Air Force Base, N.D.; Malmstrom AFB, Mont.; and F.E. Warren AFB, Wyo. They wrapped up Dec. 1 with Whiteman AFB, Mo., and here.
"Each and every one of you, no matter what job you hold, is a part of the team," General Chilton said. "There is no higher calling in this uniform than the duty you perform."
The general said nuclear weapons are necessary, and he believes they will be "absolutely essential for many years to come."
General Chilton said he also believes nuclear deterrence has helped to prevent worldwide conventional war since 1945, saying "the long shadow of deterrence capability is still here.
"That is the power of the nuclear deterrent -- it absolutely underpins conventional might," the general said.
Quoting former Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Nathan F. Twining, General Klotz said "forces that cannot win will not deter."
He said Global Strike Command Airmen have proven that they are warriors and winners.
"I want to thank each and every one of you for what you have done to create this new major command, a command solely focused on the nuclear deterrence and global strike mission," General Klotz said. "I am personally very proud of each and every one of you."
Comments
12/5/2010 6:32:07 PM ET While GSC's mission is important and does serve a purpose, I'd gladly leave this 'higher calling' and go back to a combat deployable unit. To me being assigned to a AFGSC unit feels more like a punishment from Big Blue. I miss ACC.
Capt D, Global Strike Command
12/3/2010 11:42:35 AM ET SAC will never be back. There was and always will be one SAC. I agree Global Strike Command is a great command and is required to protect our welfare as well as the rest of the world. General Curtis LeMay would not ever have allowed SAC to desolve in the first place. To err is human, to forgive is devine, neither of which is SAC policy. Charlie Pressnell, Retired MSgt
Charlie Pressnell, Robins AFB Ga
12/3/2010 9:34:15 AM ET @SMSgt retired--you are right on. The stand up of Global Strike Command brought back an entity that should have never gone away. SAC was an outstanding command with clear-cut guidelines and standards; not too many gray areas. That is why it was so successful. There is one stigma that needs to be overcome. Comparing personnel in the same career fields who work the nuclear enterprise against someone who is routinely deployed presents challenges when it comes to awards and promotions. I have seen it. The deployed-forward warfighter usually comes out ahead. We cannot forget the nuclear deterrent has provided a shield of defense against overt enemy attack for a very long time. Go Global Strike Command!
CMSgt W--Retired, Tennessee Valley
12/2/2010 8:42:42 PM ET Global Strike Command. Different name but SAC is back...new technology same goal...Peace is our Profession LeMay would be proud. For all of our SAC trained killers out there, and you know who you are, thank you for all of your years of dedicated, steadfast, unwavering devotion to ensure uninterrupted deterrence in defense of this great nation and stability around the world.
