AFGSC kicks off third annual Global Strike Challenge

by Carla Pampe
Air Force Global Strike Command Public Affairs

11/6/2012 - BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La.  -- The third-annual Air Force Global Strike Command Technology and Innovation Symposium kicked off today at the Shreveport Convention Center in Shreveport, La.

The symposium is part of the culmination of Global Strike Challenge, an annual event where the top security forces, maintainers, and missile and bomber crews compete to be recognized as the "best of the best" in their fields. Competition began in July, and ran through the summer.

Teams from the Command's six wings, as well as the Air Force Reserves and Air Combat Command, arrived in the Shreveport-Bossier City area Monday for the symposium and official score posting and awards ceremony at Hoban Hall at Barksdale.
Lt. Gen. Jim Kowalski, commander of Air Force Global Strike Command, opened the symposium by thanking those who made the event possible, "especially the participants who earned the right to be here ... to come out and represent the best of the best."

Kowalski reminded the Airmen of their important role in strategic deterrence and their mission to maintain safe, secure and effective nuclear weapons.

"Part of this mission is that history should not remember our names - that's one thing that's very different about our command," he said.

While other military units often make their mark during times of war or major military campaigns, the general said, the Airmen of AFGSC use strategic deterrence to help prevent another world war from taking place.

"Since 1945, there have been 67 years of peace between major world powers," he said, adding that the work Air Force Global Strike Command has done since its standup in 2009 will help ensure that peace continues.

Global Strike Challenge concludes Wednesday with a traditional score posting and trophy presentations at Hoban Hall on base.

Last year, the 28th Bomb Wing, Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., won the Fairchild Trophy for best bomb wing. The 91st Security Forces Group from Minot Air Force Base, N.D. won the Charlie Fire Trophy for best security forces while the 90th Missile Wing, F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyo., took home the Blanchard Trophy for best ICBM wing. The 54th Helicopter Squadron at Minot AFB, N.D., took home the Bourland Trophy for Best Helicopter Squadron.