A Lost Generation of Nuclear Experts

The Pentagon’s cadre of nuclear experts grew so shallow after the end of the Cold War and the dissolution of Strategic Air Command that the Joint Staff recently had to turn to the US Strategic Command staff at Offutt AFB, Neb., for experts to work on START (strategic arms reduction treaty) follow-on treaty negotiations. Gen. Kevin Chilton, STRATCOM commander, speaking Thursday at AFA’s Global Warfare Symposium in Beverly Hills, Calif., joked that some of the STRATCOM personnel have spent so much time at the Pentagon that they have to have their mail forwarded. Continue