Former AFGSC Command Chief bids farewell

by Tech. Sgt. Ave Young
Air Force Global Strike Command Public Affairs

10/26/2015 - BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. -- After 30 years of service, the command chief of Air Force Global Strike Command retired during a ceremony held here Oct. 22.

Chief Master Sgt. Terry West assumed the AFGSC Command Chief position in January 2014, charged with the responsibility of advising the AFGSC commander on all matters affecting professional development, training, combat readiness, utilization, morale and mission effectiveness for more than 31,000 Airmen assigned to AFGSC bases and units.

West previously served as Command Chief Master Sergeant for 8th Air Force here, and the Senior Enlisted Leader for Task Force 204 for U.S. Strategic Command at AFB, Nebraska.

As he retired from active duty, West asked Airmen to remember those close to them, no matter what life throws at them.

"Make sure you never lose sight of those things that really matter," West said. "I'm not going to have to stand at my retirement ceremony and apologize to my family for all those things, because I tried to make the ball games, the parent-teacher conferences and the recitals. So stay focused on the things that really matter in life."

As the AFGSC Command Chief, West focused on major developmental programs, ensuring command personnel were prepared to provide nuclear deterrence operations and flexible global strike options to combatant commanders worldwide.

As he looked back on his career, the chief recalled three significant events: his first deployment, becoming a supervisor and starting a family.

"My first deployment taught me to rely on others and work together, not only to survive, but to get the mission done," he said.

He took the skills he learned in working with others with him as he began to supervise others.

"As a supervisor, you're responsible for the development and lives of others. That's why it's important to develop yourself and your skills because you're developing tomorrow's leaders," he added. "I relate it to the airplane oxygen mask. Put yours on first before you can help somebody else.

But as much as he enjoyed developing others, for West, family came first.

"Having a family taught me the work/life balance," he said. "You really have to make an effort to do your job and then separate yourself from it when you go home."

Throughout his career, West said he always tried to focus on the Airmen, getting to know them and learning what they contribute to the mission. During his time at Global Strike Command, he continued to focus on Airmen development through the Striker Stripe professional development program. He also visited with Airmen at every AFGSC base, discussing their challenges and how the command could assist them in doing the mission.

"The thing I'm going to miss the most is meeting with the Airmen in their duty sections and seeing that pride they show for their expertise," said West. "We have an amazing group of Airmen in our command."

Rand takes command of AFGSC

by Carla Pampe
Air Force Global Strike Command Public Affairs

7/28/2015 - BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. -- Gen. Robin Rand took command of Air Force Global Strike Command during a ceremony here July 28, becoming the newest leader of the organization responsible for the nation's force of ICBMs and nuclear-capable bombers.

A command pilot with more than 5,000 hours, including 470 in combat, Rand previously served as commander of Air Education and Training Command. He succeeds Lt. Gen. Stephen Wilson who had served as AFGSC's commander since October 2013.

Presiding at the ceremony, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III said, "General Wilson and the Global Strike team have worked tremendously hard to make significant, positive changes for the Airmen who are charged with the deterrence mission. General Rand is the perfect leader to connect with those Airmen and continue to drive improvements for them and their families. They deserve nothing less."

Addressing an at-capacity crowd of Airmen, distinguished visitors, commanders and senior Air Force leaders at Barksdale's historic Hoban Hall, Rand said, "Today is a great day to be an American Airman and it's a great day to be in Air Force Global Strike Command.

"The thousands of Air Force Global Strike Command Airmen who are doing job No. 1 for our nation -- these Airmen keep the wolves at bay in locations like Malmstrom, F.E. Warren, Minot, Whiteman, Barksdale, soon to be Kirtland, Dyess and Ellsworth," he continued. "Bad people with bad intentions don't mess with the United States because of these amazing Airmen."

A seasoned leader and airpower tactician, Rand previously served as commandant of the U.S. Air Force Weapons School, commander of the 8th Fighter Wing, 56th Fighter Wing and 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing; and commander of 12th Air Force, in addition to commanding AETC. He pledged to keep AFGSC focused on developing and providing combat-ready forces for nuclear deterrence and global strike operations.

"My priorities are mission, Airmen and families," he said. "We must deter and assure. In order to do that, the staff and I will laser focus on making sure our wings receive the tools, the equipment and the training necessary to execute our combat mission with great precision and lethality. Likewise, Kim and I will place a high premium on our families and their well-being. Trust me -- military families are personal to me."

The general also reminded Airmen of the importance of maintaining the Air Force core values, and of the rich heritage the command holds.

"Air Force Global Strike will focus on ensuring our Airmen have an unyielding commitment to our core values of integrity, service and excellence. And finally, we will ensure that our Airmen have a keen awareness of our rich heritage and legacy that was forged in blood, sweat and tears by countless Americans and Airmen before us who were assigned to 8th Air Force and 20th Air Force," he said. "While history makes us smarter, our heritage will make us prouder, and we will use that heritage to help inspire our Airmen to great heights."

The Air Force elevated AFGSC to a four-star major command in order to provide its global strike mission with the highest level of leadership oversight similar to the service's other operational core missions.

"The appointment of a four-star sends a powerful message to our Airmen, allies and any would-be enemy," said Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James. "It speaks to our commitment and promise to our Airmen and Nation to ensure a safe, secure and effective nuclear deterrent and global strike capability with the right level of leadership emphasis.

"In a complex global environment, having a four-star general responsible for the world's most powerful weapons is critically important," James added. "General Rand will continue to give voice to our Airmen and continue to advance progress made in the nuclear enterprise."

Welsh stressed to AFGSC Airmen that the Air Force will continue to support the nuclear enterprise.

"Nuclear deterrence for America and her allies remains our number one mission priority," he said. "A four-star at the helm of Air Force Global Strike Command affirms that commitment."

Wilson led AFGSC through a number of important changes during his tenure, including the Force Improvement Program, which instituted a culture of empowerment of its Airmen.

In his farewell address, Wilson praised the Global Strike Airmen and civilians for their hard work and dedication.

"I'm extremely proud of what you've accomplished over the past few years. You are our nation's deterrent and global strike force. You provide safe, secure and effective deterrence, and should deterrence ever fail, you are America's ability to swiftly and decisively strike anywhere on the globe," he added. "Because of you, we are the greatest Air Force on the planet. You are America's global power, and much like the Chief says about airpower, without global strike, you do lose."

Wilson will become the deputy commander of U.S. Strategic Command at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska.

Command kicks off fifth Global Strike Challenge

by Carla Pampe
Air Force Global Strike Command Public Affairs

7/17/2015 - BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. -- Teams from across Air Force Global Strike Command, as well as the Air National Guard, Air Force Reserve Command, Air Force Materiel Command and Air Combat Command, begin competing in the fifth Global Strike Challenge this week.

Global Strike Challenge is the world's premier bomber, Intercontinental Ballistic Missile and security forces competition. Through competition and teamwork, the event looks to foster esprit de corps, recognize outstanding AFGSC personnel and teams and improve combat capabilities.

Operations, maintenance and security forces teams from bomber and missile wings will compete to be named best-of-the-best. All units supporting the AFGSC mission have been invited to compete through November, showcasing their expertise, skill and capabilities.

More than 450 Airmen will take part in Global Strike Challenge competitions at various locations throughout the country, culminating in a symposium and score posting event at Barksdale Oct. 20-21.

The following units will compete in Global Strike Challenge 2015; Barksdale AFB's 2nd and 307th (AFRC) Bomb Wings, 49th Test Squadron and 340th Weapons School; Minot AFB's 5th Bomb Wing, 91st Missile Wing and 219th Security Forces Squadron (ANG); Whiteman AFB's 509th and 131st (ANG) Bomb Wings; F.E. Warren AFB's 90th Missile Wing and 582nd Helicopter Group; Malmstrom AFB's 341st Missile Wing; Ellsworth's 28th Bomb Wing, Dyess AFB's 7th Bomb Wing, Kirtland AFB's 377th Security Forces Group.

Competition began this week, and continues through the summer and into fall.