USSTRATCOM holds bomber, tanker stakeholder meeting on Scott AFB

U.S. Navy Adm. Cecil D. Haney (standing), U.S. Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM) commander, provides the opening remarks during USSTRATCOM's Bomber and Tanker Stakeholders Conferences at Scott Air Force Base, Ill., Feb. 11, 2016. Haney chaired the two-day event, during which he, U.S. Air Force Gen. Robin Rand (not pictured), Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC) commander; U.S. Air Force Gen. Carlton D. Everhart (seated left), Air Mobility Command commander; and other general officers held discussions with AFGSC wing commanders and deputy commanders as part of their continuing collaborative effort to together develop the next generation of leaders. These recurring forums are designed to assess the health and direction of the nation's strategic forces, including ICBM, ballistic missile submarine, bomber and supporting tanker forces, as well as sensors and communication networks. One of nine DoD unified combatant commands, USSTRATCOM has global strategic missions, assigned through the Unified Command Plan, which include strategic deterrence; space operations; cyberspace operations; joint electronic warfare; global strike; missile defense; intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; combating weapons of mass destruction; and analysis and targeting. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Thomas J. Doscher)

USSTRATCOM holds bomber, tanker stakeholder meeting

Published Feb. 24, 2016
By Master Sgt. Thomas J. Doscher
18th Air Force Public Affairs

SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- Navy Adm. Cecil D. Haney, the commander of U.S. Strategic Command, hosted a Bomber-Tanker Stakeholder Meeting here Feb. 11 and 12 to assess the health and direction of the nation's strategic forces.

Senior leadership and experts from more than 10 organizations, including Air Mobility Command, Air Force Global Strike Command and the 8th and 18th Air Forces, met to identify, prioritize and address issues in maintaining an effective and ready bomber and tanker force in support of the US-STRATCOM mission.

Haney said it was important for leaders who support the USSTRATCOM mission to be able to come together and have candid conversations about the issues facing the command.

"It was good to review how we're doing, where we need to improve and be able to have the assorted leadership here. With that you're able to identify problems, look at solutions and have an action-oriented forum to work the areas we needed to into the future," he said.

Discussion topics such as tanker readiness, nuclear oversight and mobility sustainment and modernization made up a large part of the focus of the stakeholder meeting. When fully mobilized, Task Force 294 is the unified command's largest airborne task force, made up of more than 3,000 personnel and 150 tankers from units throughout the total force. Task Force 294 is led by the 18th AF commander, Lt. Gen. Sam Cox.

"USSTRATCOM's nuclear mission is the Air Force's No. 1 priority," Cox said. "And there are Airmen throughout 18th Air Force training for and providing that support every day.

"Whether they are refueling reconnaissance and strike assets overseas or providing nuclear airlift, our Airmen are aware of the immense responsibility that falls on their shoulders. This is a no-fail mission, and they fully understand that."

Gen. Carlton D. Everhart II, AMC commander, said the role the Mobility Air Forces play in strategic deterrence cannot be understated.

"Task Force 294 is vitally important to our nation's strategic deterrence," said Everhart. "The task force commander relies on the support of Air Mobility Command which coordinates, de-conflicts and synchronizes the mobility requirements of nine geographic and functional combatant commands day-to-day and in times of war to meet the president's objectives."

Before departing Scott AFB, Haney saluted mobility Airmen.

"As a commander, I appreciate all the work that is conducted by (Lt.) Gen. Samuel Cox and his team, but also all the Airmen who are involved in our refueling capability," Haney said.

"It's amazing the operational tempo this team has in order to meet all of the objectives across all of our nine combatant commands. They're literally all over the globe having an impact."