Adm. Cecil Haney, head of US Strategic Command, visited Barksdale AFB, La., to get an up-close look at the 2nd Bomb Wing, which operates nuclear-capable B-52 bombers, and to thank airmen for their contributions to the nation’s deterrence force. “The capability of the 2nd Bomb Wing is a very flexible leg of the [nuclear] triad,” said Haney during his Jan. 23 visit, according to a base release. Haney said he counted on Barksdale’s airmen to demonstrate the United States’ deterrent abilities in a “very visible way.” He emphasized the importance of Barksdale’s role in maintaining a safe, secure, and effective deterrent to advance US interests and assure allies. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Patrick Alston, STRATCOM’s senior enlisted leader, accompanied Haney on the visit, Haney’s first to Barksdale since becoming STRATCOM’s boss in November. Haney said he scheduled the trip because he thought it was important to see first-hand the work of airmen who contribute daily to STRATCOM’s mission. (Barksdale report by SSgt. Sean Martin)
The Air Force is planning to invest nearly $1.7 billion to continue modernizing the B-1B Lancer and B-2 Spirit bombers over the next five years, revising earlier plans to retire those aircraft before the B-21 Raider is fielded in bulk.