Barksdale Reserve B-52 Unit Now Nuclear Certified

Air Force Reserve Command’s 307th Bomb Wing, a B-52 unit at Barksdale AFB, La., is now certified for the bomber’s nuclear mission following completion of an initial nuclear surety inspection earlier this month, announced wing officials. “This certification is a testament to the dedication and professionalism of our people,” said Col. Jon Ellis, 307th BW commander, in Barksdale’s March 21 release. The Reserve wing runs the Air Force’s sole B-52 schoolhouse and its airmen also support the members of Barksdale’s Active Duty 2nd BW in operating and maintaining the latter’s combat-ready B-52s. The five-day inspection, conducted by an Air Force Global Strike Command-led team, concluded on March 18, states the release. The inspectors scrutinized the wing’s 343rd Bomb Squadron and 707th Maintenance Squadron in five areas: management and administration; technical operations; safety; personnel reliability program; and nuclear control order procedures. (See also Barksdale Reserve Realignment Takes Place.)