New AFNWC commander gives perspective

  • Published
  • By 377th Air Base Wing
  • Public Affairs
KIRTLAND AFB, N.M. --  Brig. Gen. Sandra Finan assumed command Feb. 7 of the Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center. She recently provided her perspective in a series of questions and answers with the Nucleus.

Q: What are your goals and priorities for the AFNWC while serving as the commander?

A: My focus for the AFNWC is the accomplishment of our mission. My philosophy is that we succeed by emphasizing a triad of mission, people and teamwork, built on a foundation of leadership. We exist to accomplish the mission; therefore, our focus must remain on that mission. Our mission is to ensure safe, secure and effective nuclear weapons in support of the president and warfighter operational objectives. We provide on time, on target nuclear solutions. Our number one priority will remain the accomplishment of our mission. Because successful mission accomplishment requires people, my priority is to ensure our people have the tools, skills, opportunities and support to accomplish their missions. Foundational to our success is the empowerment and development of our most valuable resource...our people. A primary emphasis is to ensure that we maintain and forge resilient partnerships across our organization, with our mission partners, and within our local community. I believe that it is through our partnerships and cooperation that we will cement the great successes of the people of the Nuclear Weapon Center in accomplishing their mission. Additionally, I consider it our responsibility to create and grow future leaders. Leadership is the driver that inspires our mission performance, ensures our people are taken care of, and builds partnership bridges.

My goal for my tenure as the commander of the AFNWC is to continue to strengthen the center, building on the great work that has already been done. The AFNWC fulfills a vital role in our Air Force's number one priority, and we must ensure that the organization is appropriately postured for success.

Q: What do you see as the challenges for the AFNWC?

A: I think we will face many challenges in the coming years. Clearly the most immediate is the budget issue. We are going to be called on to figure out how we will accomplish our critical mission with fewer resources. This will require well thought out and analyzed options to ensure that we never allow the nuclear mission to be put in jeopardy. We must remember that we are dealing with the most powerful weapons on Earth. That responsibility carries with it a special trust that must never be broken. Our challenge is to make sure that we are good stewards of the Air Force's nuclear mission and at the same time provide solutions that are consistent with budgetary constraints.

Q: What does the AFNWC bring to the fight?

A: The AFNWC is the Air Force's technical experts on nuclear weapon systems. While this responsibility is shared with other centers and commands, the AFNWC is the central hub that binds the core elements of the nuclear mission in order to provide capabilities for our force provider, Global Strike Command.

Q: Is there anything else you would like readers to know about you?

A: I am honored to serve with the men and women of the AFNWC. It is clear to me in my first couple of weeks that this is a highly effective organization. Leadership within the center is magnificent. Our leaders are setting the standard across the board. Finally, the people who make up the center are unmatched professionals. My husband Chuck and I are privileged to work with these outstanding professionals in the great state of New Mexico.