The Air Force announced yesterday that the possible locations for the eventual permanent home of Air Force Global Strike Command are: Barksdale AFB, La., F.E. Warren AFB, Wyo., Malmstrom AFB, Mont., Minot AFB, N.D., Offutt AFB, Neb., and Whiteman AFB, Mo. The service expects to make a decision no later than the end of June. A similar timeline has been set for picking the permanent headquarters for 24th Air Force, the new cyber Numbered Air Force under Air Force Space Command, from among six finalists, USAF also announced yesterday. They are Barksdale and Offutt as well as Lackland AFB, Tex., Langley AFB, Va., Peterson AFB, Colo., and Scott AFB, Ill. In both cases, service officials said they will proceed in a measured and deliberate fashion to determine the winning location for each mission. “Current performance of a significant operational function associated with strategic nuclear forces is an overarching requirement for selecting the Air Force Global Strike Command headquarters base,” the service said. In the case for the cyber NAF, attributes such as proximity to other cyber operational missions, access to scientific and technical expertise, and communication/bandwidth capabilities will be key determinants. Bolling AFB, D.C., is serving as the provisional headquarters for AFGSC since early this month, while Barksdale has hosted the temporary seat of cyber operations for more than one year.
The Air Force has tapped sites in Oregon to build its first two new Over-the-Horizon Radars, capable of detecting inbound missile threats from up to 4,000 nautical miles away. The service is hoping to start construction by the end of 2028.