The Defense Department’s inspector general office is expected to release a report this month evaluating Air Force Global Strike Command’s organizational structure, roles, and responsibilities, according to IG officials. “The objective of this assessment is to assess the effectiveness and efficiency of current command relationships with its subordinate organizations,” states a July IG update. “This assessment also examines the potential efficiencies and gains in security effectiveness at Minot [AFB, N.D.,] from alternative organizational structures,” adds the document. AFGSC, headquartered at Barksdale AFB, La., oversees the Air Force’s nuclear capable bombers and ICBM force. The command stood up in August 2009 and commenced full-scale operations in September 2010.
The Pentagon announced new long-term agreements with four defense companies May 13 to develop and produce large numbers of low-cost cruise missiles. And while the effort will focus mostly on the Army to start, it pairs with Air Force efforts to find more affordable munitions.