Once a victim of sequestration and last year’s government shutdown, Air Force Global Strike Command’s Global Strike Challenge returns to Barksdale AFB, La., Nov. 3-5 for its capstone symposium and score-posting events. The events mark the end of the fourth iteration of the GSC, and include the score posting for competitions among the command’s missile, bomber, helicopter, and security forces communities. There are about 350 airmen participating from eight air force installations. In addition to competitive events, a technology and innovation symposium is scheduled for Nov. 4 at the Bossier Civic Center in Bossier City, La. Speakers for the events include Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James, AFGSC boss Lt. Gen. Stephen Wilson, CMSAF James Cody, and Madelyn Creedon, deputy administrator for the National Nuclear Security Administration. Awards are slated for the best ICBM team, B-1B Lancer, B-2, B-52, UH-1N Huey, and security forces unit. (GSC 2014 fact sheet.)
President Donald Trump signed legislation reopening the federal government late Nov. 12, ending the longest shutdown in U.S. history. The move sets the stage for tens of thousands of defense civilians to return to work and guarantees troops will be paid in a few days’ time.
