Then to Now: 498th NSW commander’s perspective

  • Published
  • By Walter Lindsley
  • 498th Nuclear Systems Wing commander
KIRTLAND AFB, N.M. --  What an honor it has been to serve as the 498th Nuclear Systems Wing commander. As the wing inactivates and the Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center Nuclear Capabilities Directorate stands up, I want to reflect on some of the accomplishments of the 498th professionals.

Diane and I have been blessed to serve here at Kirtland AFB for the last three years as the AFNWC vice and 498th wing commander. We've had the unique perch to observe the center grow from a team of five specialists to more than 180 professionals. Further, we've witnessed the Air Force's strategy shift from reinvigorating to strengthening the nuclear enterprise. Finally, and more to the point, we've witnessed the wing's mission focus shift from its traditional acquisition and sustainment portfolio to include production management.

For those not familiar with the 498 NSW, let me give you the "Reader's Digest" version. The primary responsibility of the men and women of the 498 NSW is to support the Air Force nuclear enterprise. From logistics to fleet sustainment, to weapons storage systems, and until recently, the munitions production operations at six geographically separated locations, the men and women of the 498 NSW play a critical role in defending our nation. Additionally, the 498th is also responsible for managing the Nuclear University, the nuclear certification process, and conducting nuclear effects studies and analysis. I've worked with my share of geniuses over the past 36 months ... these folks are smart!

Since August 2009, the 498 NSW and AFNWC have been charged to oversee, integrate and advocate for the continental United States munitions squadrons. In that role, we had the honor of taking flights and creating squadrons, adding a supply chain process, standardizing training, improving processes and passing inspections. The men and women out in the field worked tirelessly to train the influx of 174 percent apprentice-level technicians, while not missing a beat in keeping commitments to the warfighter. In 2009, we were greatly challenged in our efforts to maintain the health of the nation's deterrence. We overcame this challenge and successfully drove the culture from "resignation" to "driving issues to zero." I could go on and on about the accomplishments of the team, but let me simply say that they made it happen ... they won the war on mediocrity! Their record includes removing a weapon system from the field, reducing extended systems by 76 percent, establishing training sections and lesson plans, improving training and certification, and overcoming a backlog of maintenance and production, all while simultaneously supporting higher headquarters generation exercises and inspections. Simply remarkable!

The units had a lot of help along the way. What you may not know is they enjoyed huge reach-back capability and constant communication with the men and women working in the missiles, logistics, systems and weapons divisions. These unsung heroes are owed a debt of gratitude for holding the line and managing the Air Force's critical nuclear programs. These professionals used their expertise and passion to synchronize and integrate with the field at all levels in a manner not done before. Here are some highlights:

The Air Launched Cruise Missile program office rededicated and more strongly focused its efforts on providing the best product and most responsive support to its production teammates. They amped up their engineering response activities, and created and executed a road map to continue to sustain the missile in the out years. These professionals are passionate about their platform and the success of this program is evidence of their superheroic efforts.

The logistics professionals taught, planned, and engaged with the field to develop and execute a master production schedule as the single logistics authority. They advocated for and integrated historic technical data improvements. They orchestrated the removal of a weapon system from the fleet entirely and have served as the logistics experts on remaining assets. As a result of Comprehensive Assessment of Nuclear Sustainment I-III efforts, these loggies have managed the trainer fleet improvements, use control program, and are responsible for getting Defense Integration and Management of Nuclear Data Services into the schoolhouse so our technicians are better trained. The fleet is better sustained because of these unsung logistics professionals.

I'll address the Weapons and Systems Division accomplishments together because it's been only recently that we've separated them. These folks know the business, and the program managers, scientists and engineers working for the Air Force do so out of absolute love of country. I can't reveal everything they are up to, but let me just say that these professionals, through the ceaseless efforts and leadership of the lead project officers, sustain our capabilities and work tirelessly to plan for and execute the activities required to modernize it. In addition, these division teammates run the Nuclear University that teaches a menu of nuclear-related courses, ensuring our professionals have a sound foundation to build upon. The Air Force's certification process is managed and overseen by professionals within this division and the master nuclear certification listing is also managed here. Both these programs are foundational and critical.

Another group of unsung heroes are the surety engineers who perform fleet surveillance to ensure we identify and address any systems degradation. Our Weapon Storage Systems program office has launched efforts that are reaping huge results for the user. Finally, our studies and analysis team is top-shelf, accomplishing scores of studies on nuclear effects and core matters that inform our actions on today's fleet and help us better understand how to best modernize for tomorrow's threats. The center commander is fond of saying "We are the nucleus of deterrence," and he is exactly right.

Let me get off the stage by recognizing the efforts of the wing staff members from program support and program control who come to work every day to enable the divisions and wing to keep our promises. These warriors have the thankless task of taking care of the wing's human, organizational and infrastructure capital. Without them, the accomplishments described previously would never happen.

Finally, although I've touted the wing's many accomplishments, I will close by saying, without reservation, that the Air Force is better today than it was in 2008 because of the hard work of the men and women of the 498 NSW, our many mission partners, our Center and MAJCOM teammates, and our community and industry partners. What I've learned through all this is how far an operation can go if you have "Unity of Effort," "A Plan" and "Commitment."

The spirits and traditions of the 498th will carry on in the minds and actions of the men and women of the new Nuclear Capabilities Directorate for many years to come.