The Air Force is establishing a flag-level position to oversee the acquisition of its nuclear systems. This official will lead a new program executive office for strategic systems that will stand up later this year at Kirtland AFB, N.M., already home to the Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center that manages the service’s nuclear sustainment activities. Exactly what the “strategic systems” rubric will entail is still being discussed. “The portfolio of programs and responsibilities may include all current and future nuclear systems, subsystems, and components as well as systems with a dual nuclear and conventional role,” Air Forces spokeswoman Marie Vanover told the Daily Report Tuesday. Brig. Gen. Everett Thomas, AFNWC commander, told House overseers on Jan. 21 that the new PEO “will ensure future acquisition efforts are properly aligned with near-term sustainment challenges.” He said the Schlesinger nuclear task force recommended its creation.
Amid a high-profile recruiting crisis, Air Force leaders and experts have increasingly noted the challenging long-term trends the service will face in enticing young Americans to sign up—decreasing eligibility to serve, less propensity to do so, and less familiarity with the military. But while those same leaders say there’s no “silver…