KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, NM -- Our nation requires expert aircrew to be able to defend our nuclear and missile facilities and ensure the success of our nuclear deterrence mission. This is one of the nation’s most consequential missions and the 58th Special Operations Wing (SOW) trains crews on the UH-1N Huey at Kirtland Air Force Base to be able to protect this vital mission and more.
The Huey is an essential part of Air Force Global Strike Command’s (AFGSC) nuclear and missile security, present at bases around the world to provide aerial protection of these assets. When students graduate from Det. 2, they have become masters at operating the Hueys for whatever mission comes their way. Many of them go to these AFGSC bases to become an integral part of the nuclear and missile security operations where they will be expected to perform at the highest level.
Det. 2 is doing more than simply producing aircrew, they are shaping the mission of safeguarding some of the United States’ most sensitive assets. Their work ensures the nuclear enterprise is backed by aviators who are not only technically proficient but fully prepared for the gravity of the mission they will inherit.
“What we do here matters to the nuclear enterprise because many of our students will go to Global Strike,” Valentine said. “They’re entrusted with being able to fly a helicopter safely while also providing security and an additional resource for the missile fields, the whole ICBM complex, and just helping out that entire institution to maintain their mission.”
Students trained by the 58 SOW will soon find themselves supporting convoy movements, securing missile fields, and responding rapidly to emerging threats across AFGSC’s vast operational footprint. Their training emphasizes precision, sound judgment under pressure, and the ability to operate in austere or unpredictable environments, skills essential to maintaining the credibility and resilience of the nation’s nuclear mission.
The UH-1N, though a legacy aircraft, remains a critical asset for AFGSC. Its reliability and versatility make it indispensable for supporting missile fields and security forces across remote terrain. Instructors ensure aircrew understand not only how to fly the aircraft, but how their actions directly contribute to the safety and effectiveness of the nuclear mission.
As the Air Force continues modernizing its nuclear enterprise, one requirement remains constant: highly trained, mission-focused aircrew. Det. 2’s work ensures that AFGSC units receive aircrew ready to uphold the nation’s global strike capabilities—today, tomorrow, and for the next generation of deterrence.