The US Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC) has gained three missile wings, with the assumption of the 20th Air Force, which began on the intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) mission.
The new AFGSC has gained one missile wing from FE Warren Air Force Base, one from Malmstrom AFB and and one Minot AFB.
The air force’s ICBM mission transfer is aimed at to bring together all air force nuclear-capable assets under one command, in a phased approach.
The new command has also gained control of all the US 450 ICBMs, and of the 576th Flight Test Squadron at Vandenberg AFB, and the 625th Strategic Operations Squadron at Offutt AFB, both previously part of Air Force Space Command.
The AFGSC will also gain the 8th Air Force, based at Barksdale AFB, and its nuclear-capable bombers, on 1 February 2010.
The B-52 Stratofortress wings at Barksdale AFB and Minot AFB, and the B-2 Spirit wing at Whiteman AFB will also come under the control of the command, at the same time.
In order to support the president and combatant commanders, the AFGSC was formed in August to provide combat-ready forces, capable of conducting strategic nuclear deterrence and global strike operations.
