Air University, AFNWC unveil new course

  • Published
  • By Col. Clarence "CJ" Johnson
  • Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center Nuclear Capabilities Directorate director
Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M. --  A new course exploring advanced nuclear concepts was christened Feb. 29 at the Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center Nuclear Capabilities Directorate's Nuclear College.

It is a collaborative effort between the Air University's Counterproliferation Center, the Air Education and Training Command's Nuclear Operations, Plans and Requirements Directorate and the AFNWC
Nuclear Capabilities Directorate's Education and Training Branch.

Dubbed "Nuclear 300," the course targets the following nuclear enterprise leaders: senior master sergeants and chiefs, field grade officers, Numbered Air Force, Major Command, Combatant Command and Headquarters Air Force staff officers, and major and lieutenant colonel squadron leaders. The curriculum is unique at the Nuclear College.

Brig. Gen. Garrett Harencak, Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center commander, offered opening remarks to the first class. He stressed the importance of the attendees being effective advocates for nuclear deterrence in national security.

"This course will be a game-changer for the way we professionally develop our nuclear enterprise leaders," he said.

Nuc 300 is a five-day professional continuing education offering that explores nuclear deterrence theory and application, nuclear operations policy and strategy, nuclear incident response and nuclear surety and effects.

In 2008 and 2009, both the Schlesinger Commission and the Air Force Nuclear Blue Ribbon Review highlighted the need for professional military education courses that address national defense and Air Force concepts for nuclear deterrence and defense and that properly prepare nuclear leaders for their duties and responsibilities.

The "Nuclear Roadmap" produced in 2008 by the Headquarters Air Force Director for Nuclear Operations, Plans and Requirements, identified the development of a continuing PME for NE personnel as an essential element to create a basic atmosphere of understanding for nuclear stewardship responsibilities. Nuc 300, along with its sister courses, the longstanding Nuclear Fundamentals course (Nuc 200), and the soon-to-be-released Senior Leader Nuclear Management course (Nuc 400), are designed to address those needs.

The CPC course director, Dr. Barry Schneider, both directed and taught during this initial class offering. He said he was pleased with the caliber of students in the class, as well as the depth of discussion and interchange.

The Nuclear College Director, Harold J. "Skip" Camacho, emphasized the significance of the course.

"The Nuc 300 course material goes much deeper into foundational nuclear deterrence and nuclear operations policy issues than any other course at the college. The representation, depth of experience and placement of leadership from across the NE for this initial class far exceeds that which has been represented in other Nuclear College courses to date."

Students and speakers included NE leaders from significant posts at Air Force Global Strike Command,
Headquarters Air Force, the Defense Threat Reduction Agency, Air Education and Training Command, Air Combat Command and U.S. Strategic Command.

"Each student brought unique perspectives and experiences to class discussions that were invaluable and elevated the exchange of ideas far beyond expectations," Camacho said.

Both Schneider and Camacho expressed the significance of having a NE leader such as retired Maj. Gen. Tim McMahon serve as class mentor.

"The willingness of our senior leaders to invest the time and talent of a leader like Gen. McMahon to participate in this class shows the service's dedication to elevating quality and depth of nuclear- related professional continuing education for our current and future NE leaders," Camacho said.

McMahon currently serves as a special advisor to the Secretary and Chief of Staff of the Air Force for nuclear matters. In his last active-duty assignment, he was dual-hatted as the commander of both 20th Air Force and Task Force 214. He retired in May 2003, after serving nearly 32 years as a NE leader of distinction.

When asked about the collaborative relationship between the CPC and the Nuclear College, Schneider complimented the dedication of the staffs and their seamless efforts to deliver high-quality nuclear PCE.

"There is a powerfully synergistic effect between the quality of the course material and the dedication and experience of the course mentor, instructors, guest speakers and students. In addition to the outstanding working relationship between the CPC and college, there was something special about this first Nuc 300 class."

Schneider and Camacho said they look forward to watching where things go with the new course.