BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. (AFNS) —  

Air Force Global Strike Command is modernizing older infrastructure by implementing the largest upgrade to its Nuclear Command, Control and Communication systems in more than 30 years. 

In January, Barksdale Air Force Base became the first of two AFGSC bases to receive and implement the Global Aircrew Strategic Network Terminal — a new, innovative NC3 system that provides assured, survivable, fixed and transportable communications to wing command posts, munitions support squadrons and mobile support teams. Global ASNT provides the nuclear enterprise a new two-way reliable, redundant and robust communication path capable of connecting forces anytime, anywhere — allowing AFGSC greater agility and lethality than ever before. 

“This system streamlines our NC3 capabilities and allows our team to deliver winning combat power,” said Senior Master Sgt. Katrina Strother, 2nd Bomb Wing Command Post senior enlisted leader. “It virtually provides commanders a standardized ‘command post in a box,’ replacing a single use system with a multi-use communication package that can talk on a multitude of networks and provides a modular design for future upgrades as opposed to costly replacements. Additionally, Global ASNT is survivable in Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and High Yield Explosives; and High-altitude Electromagnetic Pulse environments — allowing operators the ability to work through a conflict without fail.” 

Upgrading NC3 

NC3 refers to an integrated weapons system comprised of facilities, equipment, communications, procedures and personnel. Ultimately, NC3 is what the National Military Command System uses to exercise and conduct continuous, survivable and secure Nuclear Command and Control. 

Given the demands of a new era of command and control technology and processes, Global ASNT provides a new wave of capabilities to meet those modern demands head on. 

“Global ASNT is a transformational new system that replaces Cold War era communications equipment with the intent of enhancing the warfighters capability as we transition to the command post of the future,” said Capt. Tony Scott, AFGSC Command Post NC3 ground requirements manager. 

The acquisition of Global ASNT brings to bear years of research, planning and development. 

“This acquisition is comparable to rolling out the new KC-46 or B-21 Raider,” said Chief Master Sgt. O’Shea Rhodes, AFGSC Command and Control Operations functional manager. “Similar to the KC-46 or B-21, this new weapons system increases force lethality and nuclear command and control capabilities. The idea is that all these acquisitions are designed to be interoperable—an important feat given the demands of today’s strategic environment.” 

The new system, with acquisition costs in development and procurement ranging nearly $1.3 billion, will roll out across active duty, Guard and Reserve units in phased increments. The first phase consists of development, upgrading and installation; and the second phase consists of implementation. Specifically, the system implementation includes terminal replacement and providing communications for aircrew alert. 

Total costs also factor in an estimated $82 million in enterprise-wide facility preparations, to include facility power modifications and upgrades to heating, ventilation and air conditioning units. However, Global ASNT transcends beyond the AFGSC mission and is forecasted for installation at 43 locations, across seven commands, in seven countries, on three continents, to include four major commands and the U.S. Space Force. 

The introduction of Global ASNT is a high priority for the NC3 community. Directly getting after Department of Defense priorities with the aim of building a more lethal force and modernizing and recapitalizing NC3, the new terminal will equip forces with the needed tools to address future challenges in an era of strategic competition. 

“This is a huge victory for the Department of the Air Force and AFGSC as we continue to modernize key NC3 systems critical to the successful management of the nuclear force at the tactical level,” Scott said. 

By Keefer Patterson

2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs

JOINT BASE LANGLEY – EUSTIS, Va. (AFNS) —

Air Combat Command has made significant progress on a number of Agile Combat Employment initiatives, including the creation of an agile battle lab.

As the command continues to anticipate changes and adapt to ACE concepts, innovation and integration has never been more important to members of the staff here.

Lt. Col. Adam Chitwood, ACC’s Agile Battle Lab commander, launched his unit into the ideology of accelerating change and influencing the necessity of ACE Airmen. The ABL mission is to accelerate technology, tactics and unit design to further ACE in ACC and around the Air Force.

More than 22 years ago, under Air Education and Training Command, ABL, then called Squadron Next, began with tests and experiments. Now, after transitioning to ACC in 2020, the ABL collaborates with many organizations, including ACC’s A6 communications directorate (cyber) units outside of ACC to find and solve problems, giving organizations effective ways to operate and train Airmen.

An Airman assigned to the 52nd Combat Communications Squadron from Robins Air Force Base, Ga. sets up a satellite in a simulated austere environment in Sunglow City during Exercise Bushwhacker 21-07 at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., Oct. 4, 2021. Bushwhacker allowed DM to execute and test Agile Combat Employment processes and timelines to pack up, load and re-establish wing facilities and command and control structures at newly established locations. Air Combat Command has made significant progress on several Agile Combat Employment initiatives, including the creation of an agile battle lab. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kristine Legate)

 “One unit cannot solve all of the problems of the Air Force,” Chitwood said. “That’s why collaborating and adapting is so vital.”

The difference between the ABL and traditional ACC units is its unique mission. ABL’s ultimate goal is to reshape the way Airmen think, work and incorporate processes that elevate the capabilities of the Air Force in preparation for the future fight.

We are not focused on everyday problems. We’re focused on strategic and more operational level issues,” said Master Sgt. Andrea Murray, ABL’s intelligence integration manager. “We’re making changes in 18 to 20 months. Unlike traditional labs and units, we can’t wait 10 years. We need things to change now, and that’s what we’re doing.”

A major part of ACE is the creation of a multi-capable Airmen mindset. MCA is an initiative where a small group of Airmen will be trained to accomplish tasks outside their core Air Force specialty. They will train in a cross-functional team to provide combat support to aviation force elements conducting dispersed and dynamic operations. MCA will recover, refuel, reload, launch and defend mission generation force elements.

As MCA concepts expand across the Air Force, the need for immediate, effective change and improvements grows. According to Chitwood, with ACE being ABL’s primary effort, integrating MCA will become essential to the Air Force as a whole. ABL’s goal is to equip the force with more than capable Airmen.

“We, as Airmen, have to practice like we fight,” said Senior Master Sgt. Reid Beveridge, ABL superintendent. “War is not an additional duty. We need to practice MCA jobs and we need to identify failure gaps before we are called on to use [tactics, techniques and procedures] in combat.”

In December 2021, ABL led an ACE command control and communications operations rehearsal for ACC and joint partners. The success of the rehearsal resulted in a way ahead to plan and identify what future challenges adversaries might present Airmen.

“Developing and testing ACE concepts through the lab and other venues will ultimately give our Airmen decisional advantage in tomorrow’s fight,” Chitwood said.

By SSgt Jaylen Molden

Air Combat Command Public Affairs