Air Force Special Operations Command

As long as nuclear weapons exist, the United States will maintain a safe, secure, and effective arsenal, both to deter potential adversaries and to assure US allies and other security partners.1 The 2010 Nuclear Posture Review (NPR) provides clear guidance for Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC) to provide forces for nuclear deterrence and global strike operations.

With the development of the “long war,” the U.S. military’s focus has shifted dramatically from its traditional emphasis on conventional operations to irregular and indirect approaches to safeguard America’s vital interests.