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Final word: One nuclear, but no cyber command

The Air Force will align its nuclear missions under a new nuclear command, and has canceled plans to stand up Cyber Command.

Air Force leaders decided during four days of meetings last week at the Air Force Academy not to follow the recommendation of a Defense Department task force to organize its nuclear missions under Air Force Space Command and rename it Air Force Strategic Command.

Instead, an entirely new command will be stood up under a name not yet determined.

Air Force officials chose not to release any other details regarding the new command, saying more information will come once the Air Force Nuclear Roadmap is unveiled “in a few weeks.”

“We will announce decisions soon because they are crucial steps toward attaining excellence in our nuclear enterprise and re-vitalization of the nuclear culture across the Air Force,” Secretary Michael Donley said.

The task force, led by former Defense Secretary James Schlesinger and tapped by Defense Secretary Robert Gates to investigate the Air Force’s nuclear enterprise, recommended the service’s bombers fall under a proposed Air Force Strategic Command.

But Air Force officials could not explain how the bomber fleet will be affected by the new command.

It’s assumed, though, that the new nuclear command will have a nuclear bomber capability.

Meanwhile, the intercontinental ballistic missiles aligned under Air Force Space Command will move to the nuclear command.

Gen. C. Robert Kehler, head of Air Force Space Command, said he will work with the new command’s leaders to ensure a smooth transition occurs.

Kehler’s command might lose its nukes, but it will absorb the cybermission.

Air Force leaders decided to establish a numbered Air Force for cyberoperations that will fall under Air Force Space Command instead of standing up a new Cyber Command.

Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz delayed the stand up of Cyber Command that was scheduled for Oct. 1 shortly after he took over for former Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley.

The Air Force had been criticized for appearing to try and take over the mission among the services by standing up a Cyber Command.

“The conduct of cyberoperations is a complex issue, as [the Defense Department] and other interagency partners have substantial equity in the cyberarena,” Donley said. “We will continue to do our part to increase Air Force cybercapabilities and institutionalize our cybermission.”

No decision has been made yet where the new nuclear command or the new cyber numbered Air Force will be located.

The Air Force’s provisional Cyber Command was stationed at Barksdale Air Force Base, La.

Kehler said aligning cyberoperations under Air Force Space Command will bring together two missions that depend on each other to survive. It also joins cyber- and space airmen who have similar technical skills, he said.

“With this move we’ll be able to take advantage of a common technical expertise while facilitating career development for our space and cyberwarriors,” Kehler said.

Air Force leaders again provided few details on the decision to cancel Cyber Command while specifics on how the new numbered Air Force will be stood up are confirmed with Defense Department officials, service spokesman Ed Gulick said.