US Strategic Command (STRATCOM) provides key capabilities enabling the United States to respond to global threats rapidly and to apply strategic nuclear deterrence and global strikes if needed.

Established in 1992, STRATCOM is one of 11 unified combatant commands in the Department of Defense.

STRATCOM is most directly associated with deterrence and global strike, overseeing a swath of US nuclear functions including nuclear operations and nuclear command, control and communications (NC3) enterprise operations.

The command oversees collaboration between joint forces and coordinates command-and-control capabilities that ensure the provision of accurate information to senior leadership ranging from the president to the secretary of Defense as well as combatant commanders.

The command also provides essential support to the other combatant commands including strategic warning and global command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (C4ISR).

On the operational side, STRATCOM oversees strategic deterrence, joint electromagnetic spectrum operations, global strike, missile threat assessment, and analysis and targeting.

Air Force Global Strike Command

In the air domain, Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC) serves as STRATCOM's Joint Force Air Component Command.

AFGSC provides combat-ready forces to conduct global strike and strategic deterrence operations, and is responsible for the nation's three intercontinental ballistic missile wings and the Air Force's entire bomber force, including its B-52, B-1 and B-2 wings and the Long Range Strike Bomber program.

The US Air Force's B-52H Stratofortress is a long-range, jet-powered strategic heavy bomber capable of flying at high subsonic speeds and altitudes of up to 15,240 meters.

The B-2 Spirit stealth bomber is designed to penetrate dense anti-aircraft defenses and is capable of delivering both conventional and thermonuclear munitions.

With a range of 9,500km, a top speed of Mach 1.25 and the largest payload capacity in the US Air Force, the B-1B Lancer is the "backbone" of America's long-range bomber force.

Lastly, the B-21 Raider of the Long Range Strike Bomber program is a long-range, highly survivable, penetrating strike stealth bomber that is slated to become the backbone of the bomber fleet in the coming decades. The B-21 is expected to enter service in the mid-2020s with a production goal of a minimum of 100 aircraft.