Skip to main content (Press Enter).
 News
    
        Photos

    Week in Photos

    Air Force TV

    Commentaries

    Features

    Art

    About Us
    
        Air Force Senior Leaders
    
        SECAF

    CSAF

    CMSAF

    Biographies

    Fact Sheets

    SECAF Reading List

    CSAF Leadership Library
    
        CSAF Leadership Library 2022

    CSAF Leadership Library 2021

    CSAF Reading List Pre-2020 Archive
    
        2018 CSAF Reading List

    2017 CSAF Reading List

    2016 CSAF Reading List

    CSAF Leadership Library 2023

    CMSAF Leadership Library

    50 Years of the CMSAF

    Adjunct Professors

    Air Force Strategic Documents

    Arctic Strategy

    Empowered Airmen

    State Licensure Portability

    Careers

    AF Federal Advisory Committees

    AF 75th Anniversary

    Policy Updates

    AF Content Management

    Contact Us

    AF Sites
    
        Site RegistrationU.S. Air Force LogoAir Force

        Policy UpdatesNewsroomReoptimizationBIOGRAPHIESAF Senior Leaders      Secretary of the Air Force, Frank Kendall, coins Airmen at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Oct. 27, 2022. Kendall noted the ability individual Airmen possess to innovate while enabling Air Force Global Strike Command’s mission and thanked them for their role in delivering a safe, secure, effective nuclear deterrent. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Nia Jacobs)Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall coins Airmen at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Oct. 27, 2022. Kendall noted the ability individual Airmen possess to innovate while enabling Air Force Global Strike Command’s mission and thanked them for their role in delivering a safe, secure, effective nuclear deterrent. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Nia Jacobs)
                
                Photo Details /
                        Download Hi-Res

SecAF visits Barksdale AFB, discusses operational imperativesPublished Oct. 28, 2022
                    
                    By Carla Pampe
                    
                    
                    Air Force Global Strike Command Public Affairs
            **BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. (AFNS) --**Secretary of the Air Force, Frank Kendall, tours a B-52H Stratofortress at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Oct. 27, 2022. Kendall emphasized that modernization of the U.S.’s nuclear triad is vitally necessary to be able to maintain an enduring strategic advantage against global threats and highlighted the fundamental role Air Force Global Strike Command plays in national security. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Nia Jacobs)Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall tours a B-52H Stratofortress at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Oct. 27, 2022. Kendall emphasized that modernization of the U.S.’s nuclear triad is vitally necessary to be able to maintain an enduring strategic advantage against global threats and highlighted the fundamental role Air Force Global Strike Command plays in national security. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Nia Jacobs)
            
            
            Photo Details /
                Download Hi-Res

    










**Frank Kendall** visited **Barksdale Air Force Base**, Oct. 27 to meet with **Air Force Global Strike Command** leaders and visit with **2nd Bomb Wing** Airmen. 

Kendall discussed modernization efforts throughout the command with AFGSC senior leaders, receiving updates on B-52 engine upgrades, the **B-21 Raider** program, and the **LGM-35A Sentinel** missile program.

“The modernization programs you oversee at Air Force Global Strike Command move us forward, ensuring we improve our operational posture relative to our pacing challenge; China, China, China,” Kendall said. “I’ve been beating the drum about China’s military modernization for a long time, and you are at the forefront of the department’s efforts to counter the challenge.”

Following his briefings, Kendall conducted an All Call for AFGSC staff, where he discussed the seven **Operational Imperatives**, including defining the B-21 Long Range Strike Family-of-Systems. Kendall also provided perspective on the various security challenges unfolding globally and conveyed his gratitude to meet with the Global Strike team.

“I am glad to have the opportunity to speak with you today. As I travel, I’ve gotten to meet a lot of Airmen and Guardians, and nothing is more important to me than having informal conversations with the men and women who wear the Air or Space uniform,” he said. “It lets me know where we are succeeding in supporting our One Team—and where we have progress still to be made.”

Kendall highlighted some of the challenges faced by the command and the Air Force - aging and costly-to-maintain capital structure with average aircraft ages of approximately 30 years.

“However, no matter the challenge, the men and women of Air Force Global Strike command have met them head on,” he said. “Our senior leaders have spoken clearly on the importance of integrated deterrence. The systems entrusted to the Airmen of Global Strike Command are the source of strength which integrated deterrence is built upon—without you, there is no foundation for our national security structure.”

After concluding his all call, Kendall had lunch with Airmen from the 2nd Bomb Wing who directly support the nuclear deterrence mission day in and day out, toured a B-52 and visited with aircrew and maintainers who keep the bomber flying.

“Thank you for all that you do to keep our nation safe in unprecedented times,” Kendall said to the Airmen of Barksdale Air Force Base. “The drive and commitment you bring to your mission every day is exceptional.”LR 



USAF 



AF 



Air Force 



SecAF 



Secretary of the Air Force 



Frank Kendall 



Air Force Global Strike Command 



AFGSC 



Barksdale AFB 



2nd Bomb Wing 



B-52 



B-21 Raider 



LGM-35A Sentinel 



Operational Imperatives Featured News
        Senior Leader Priorities
                DAF leaders talk budget, reoptimizing the force
                    
                    DAF leaders speak at National Character and Leadership Symposium
                    
                    DAF members recognized during BEYA STEM awards
                    
                    DAF senior enlisted advisors discuss Airmen, Guardians in the fight
                    
                    SecAF Kendall AFA Warfare Symposium Q&A: Reoptimizing for Great Power CompetitionInnovation
                AFWERX director discusses role of tech startups, quick innovation in Great Power Competition
                    
                    DAF delivers lethality at the speed of data during Project Convergence Capstone 4
                    
                    DAF welcomes industry partners to HQ development program
                    
                    DAF announces Spark Tank 2024 finalists
                    
                    Chief Digital, Artificial Intelligence Office to host hackathon in HawaiiMAJCOM News
                Safety enterprise announces new mission, vision, goals in 2024 strategic plan
                    
                    Air Combat Command welcomes new commander
                    
                    USAFE-AFAFRICA commander discusses Integrated Air, Missile Defense during Munich Security Conference
                    
                    Flosi to AFMC family: Embrace change, make every day count
                    
                    AMC rises to increasing global tension
 Quick Links
AccessibilityContact UsEqual OpportunityFOIA | Privacy | Section 508Information QualityInspector GeneralJAG Court-Martial DocketLink DisclaimerNo FEAR ActOpen GovernmentOSI Tip LinePlain LanguageQuestionsResilienceRSSSite MapVeterans Crisis LineCareers
Join the Air ForceAir Force BenefitsAir Force CareersAir Force ReserveAir National GuardCivilian ServiceConnect
            Get Social with Us
            
            Official United States Air Force Website
    Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil