News United States Air Force
 Bussiere assumes command of Air Force Global Strike CommandPublished Dec. 8, 2022
                        
                        By Carla Pampe
                        
                        
                        Air Force Global Strike Command Public Affairs
                **BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. (AFNS) --**
                **Gen. Thomas Bussiere** assumed command of **Air Force Global Strike Command** during a ceremony at **Barksdale Air Force Base** Dec. 7, becoming the newest leader of the organization responsible for the nation's only intercontinental ballistic missile and strategic bomber forces.
Air Force Chief of Staff **Gen. CQ Brown, Jr.**, presided over the ceremony.Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr. makes remarks during the Air Force Global Strike Command assumption of command ceremonyAir Force Chief of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr. makes remarks during the Air Force Global Strike Command assumption of command ceremony at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Dec. 7, 2022. Activated in 2009, AFGSC is responsible for the nation’s intercontinental ballistic missiles, the whole of its bomber force, the Air Force Nuclear Command, Control and Communications systems, and operational maintenance support to organizations across the nuclear enterprise. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Airman First Class William Pugh)
            
            
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“You provide strategic deterrence, global strike and combat support, so the Air Force can execute our mission to fly, fight and win. Airpower anytime, anywhere,” Brown said, speaking with AFGSC Airmen. “I am thankful for the continued professionalism of the 34,000 Global Strike Airmen who operate, sustain and secure two-thirds of the nation’s nuclear forces.”
With this change of command, Bussiere became the seventh commander of AFGSC. He is responsible for the nation’s fleet of **Minuteman III** intercontinental ballistic missiles, the land-based component of the nuclear triad. He is also responsible for all the nation’s strategic bombers, which include the nuclear-capable **B-52H Stratofortress** and **B-2 Spirit**, as well as the conventional-only **B-1B Lancer**.
Addressing an at-capacity crowd of Airmen, distinguished visitors, commanders and senior Air Force leaders at Barksdale AFB's historic Hoban Hall, Bussiere said, “Our mission is critical to our national defense, and you are critical to our national defense.
Every commander, chief, enlisted member, officer and civilian, it will take a whole team to compete and win,” he added. “We can’t do this without you.”
The general also spoke of the legacy of the command and its long history.
“Our proud legacy of long-range strike is in both NAFs (Numbered Air Force), and we continue to follow their footsteps as we position ourselves for a new era of strategic competition,” he said. The legacy and embodiment of long-range strike is right here in this command.”
Bussiere is a 1985 graduate of Air Force ROTC from Norwich University in Northfield, Vermont. He has served in a variety of flying, staff and command assignments, including commander of **Eighth Air Force** at Barksdale AFB, and deputy commander of **U.S. Strategic Command** at **Offutt AFB**, Nebraska. He is a command pilot with more than 3,400 hours in the T-38 Talon, F-15C Eagle, B-2A Spirit, B-1B Lancer and F-22 Raptor. He led F-15C combat missions during Operations Southern Watch and Vigilant Warrior and B-2 combat missions during operations Allied Force and Iraqi Freedom.
“I am so humbled and proud to lead this historic command,” Bussiere said. “Strikers, you are the best in the world at what you do, and I know you will continue to do great things for our nation.”
Bussiere assumed command from Gen. Anthony Cotton, who is scheduled to take command of **U.S. Strategic Command** Dec. 9.LR 



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