The Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC) provides combat-ready forces to conduct strategic nuclear deterrence and global strike operations in support of US combatant commands such as US Central Command (CENTCOM).

AFGSC functions as the Joint Force Air Component Command of US Strategic Command (STRATCOM), the unified combatant command tasked with strategic nuclear deterrence, global strike and communication oversight.

Activated August 7, 2009, AFGSC is headquartered at Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana and consists of 33,700 military and civilian personnel assigned to nine wings, two geographically separated squadrons and one detachment based in the continental United States with deployments around the world.

The command oversees the nation's nuclear bomber fleet and intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), two components of the nuclear triad.

AFGSC personnel are responsible for the United States' three strategic missile bases: the 90th Missile Wing at F. E. Warren Air Force Base in Wyoming, the 341st Missile Wing at Malmstrom Air Force Base in Montana and the 91st Missile Wing at Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota.

The AFGSC also oversees nuclear activities including the Air Force Nuclear Command, Control, and Communications (NC3) systems as well as operation and maintenance support to all organizations within the US nuclear enterprise and operation of LGM-30G ICBMs.

A nuclear role

The command leads the entirety of the US Air Force's bomber force, including the B-52, B-1 and B-2 wings and the B-21 Raider programs.

Through the bomber program, the command operates the versatile B-52H Stratofortress, a long-range, heavy bomber capable of flying at subsonic speeds up to altitudes of 50,000 feet (15,000 meters).

The jet-powered bomber is capable of performing a variety of functions including strategic attack, close air support, air interdiction, offensive counter-air operations and maritime operations.

It can carry 70,000 pounds (32,000kg) of ordnance and has a typical combat range of more than 8,800 miles (14,200km) without aerial refueling.

There are 72 B-52s in the US Air Force inventory as of 2022.

Meanwhile, the multi-mission B-1B Lancer is a long-range, supersonic bomber that can reach speeds of more than 900 mph (1,450 km/hour) and Mach 1.2 at sea level.

It can carry the largest conventional payloads of guided and unguided weapons among the aircraft in the service's inventory -- up to 75,000 pounds (34,019 kg). As of 2022, the United States has 43 operational B-1B aircraft.

The B-2 Spirit is a multi-role heavy strategic bomber distinctly crafted for stealth operations.

The B-2's low-observable characteristics combined with its high altitude capabilities -- a flight ceiling of 50,000 feet (15,240 meters) -- enable it to penetrate an enemy's defenses and threaten heavily defended targets.

With an unrefueled range of 6,000 nautical miles (11,112km), the stealth bomber can refuel in midair and carry payloads of 40,000 pounds (18,100kg). As of 2022, the US Air Force holds 18 in its inventory.

As a part of its nuclear responsibilities, the AFGSC also oversees operation of the LGM-30G Minuteman III, a critical part of the United States' strategic deterrence infrastructure.

The Minuteman is a silo-launched, ballistic missile with a range of more than 6,000 miles (9,656 km).

It can reach speeds of 15,000 mph (24,140.2 km/hour or Mach 23) at burnout. Currently, 400 Minuteman III missiles are in the AFGSC inventory spread across the three strategic missile bases in North Dakota, Wyoming and Montana.

Supporting combatant commands

As part of its role under STRATCOM, AFGSC maintains the combat-ready force of heavy bombers and ICBMs to conduct global strikes in support of CENTCOM and other combatant commands.

CENTCOM in particular oversees the Middle East and Central Asia.

AFGSC aircraft regularly conduct Long Range Strike Capability(ies) (LRSC) missions in CENTCOM's area of responsibility.

Most recently, two B-1B Lancers conducted an LRSC mission in June, joining various fighter coalition forces throughout the CENTCOM region.

The mission was historic in that it was the first time US Air Forces Central (AFCENT) flew multiple weapon types and practiced employment against multiple simulated targets during a single LRSC mission, CENTCOM said in a statement.

During the LRSC mission, the bombers employed live GBU-38 Joint Direct Attack Munitions, as well as a live AGM-158A Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile.

"These bomber missions represent the US's commitment to our partners and showcase our ability to deliver overwhelming power at a moment's notice," said US Air Force Lt. Gen. Alexus Grynkewich, Ninth Air Force (AFCENT) commander and Combined Forces Air Component Commander for CENTCOM.

"Together, we are operationalizing concepts designed to make us more agile in our execution, more strategic in our deterrence, and more resilient in our capability," he said in the statement.