Assessment showcases accomplishments

  • Published
  • By Lt. Col. Rodney L. Miller
  • Strategic Missile Programs AFPEO/Strategic Systems
Kirtland Air Force Base, NM --  Senior leaders review progress of nuclear modernization efforts

For the first time in more than 20 years, eight flag-level leaders representing Air Force and Department of Defense acquisition organizations met March 2 at Kirtland Air Force Base to review the status of the Air Force's $3.4 billion strategic system modernization efforts.

The Strategic Systems portfolio review, led by Lt. Gen. Mark Shackelford from the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, focused on the execution of programs under the purview of the Air Force Program Executive Officer for Strategic Systems, Brig. Gen. John Thompson.

At Kirtland AFB, the PEO for Strategic Systems office is responsible for Intercontinental Ballistic Missile modernization efforts executed by the ICBM systems division at Hill AFB, Utah; nuclear warhead modernization programs executed at the Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center at Kirtland AFB and the Armament Directorate at Eglin AFB, Fla.; and cruise missile acquisitions executed by the 498th Missile Sustainment Division at Tinker AFB, Okla.

The review covered the current status of numerous programs critical to the nation's nuclear deterrence mission.

"Although it has been a long time since we paid a lot of attention to nuclear acquisition in the Air Force, it is clear to me that the men and women acquiring our nuclear systems are extremely focused on meeting the number of challenges we face in modernizing our nuclear capabilities," said General Shackleford.

The Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center hosted the review for the PEO office. Brig. Gen. Garrett Harencak, AFNWC commander, opened the meeting with an update on the status of the Center, which was declared to be at "full operational capability" just two months ago.

"This review showcased the accomplishments of our exceptional men and women in the Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center as well as our partners in the nuclear enterprise -- it was an honor to host it," he said.

In addition to the portfolio review, General Shackelford toured the Defense Nuclear Weapons School and Sandia National Laboratories Weapons Integration Facility; attended the Senior Nuclear Acquisition course taught by the 498th Nuclear Systems Wing; and conducted a town hall meeting for Kirtland AFB's acquisition personnel.

Concluding the meeting, General Thompson said "Although we are small compared to the big product centers, my goal is to develop 'rock star' acquisition talent here to lead big nuclear acquisition programs when they are needed."