Allow us to all the time make sure that probably the most harmful weapons ever produced by human science are managed with the best duty ever produced by human authorities.”
Secretary of Protection Lloyd J. Austin III
Navy Adm. Charles Richard handed command of U.S. Strategic Command to Air Power Gen. Anthony J. Cotton right now throughout a ceremony on the LeMay Command and Management Facility at Offutt Air Power Base, Nebraska.
Secretary of Protection Lloyd J. Austin III oversaw the ceremony and advised the viewers that the command is adjusting to face new challenges.
Austin stated U.S. Strategic Command’s mission is to responsibly handle the U.S. nuclear deterrent. “Your mission is to discourage struggle — and to do it with unmatched professionalism,” he stated.
A part of this professionalism is the power to take care of new conditions. “The US is on the verge of a brand new part — one the place, for the primary time, we face two main nuclear powers as strategic rivals,” Austin stated. “The Individuals’s Republic of China is increasing, modernizing and diversifying its nuclear forces. And Russia can also be modernizing and increasing its nuclear arsenal.”
As Russia’s struggle on Ukraine continues to go badly for President Vladimir Putin, the Russian chief has resorted to nuclear threats. “Because the Kremlin continues its merciless and unprovoked struggle of alternative towards Ukraine, the entire world has seen Putin have interaction in deeply irresponsible nuclear saber-rattling,” Austin stated. “So, make no mistake: Nuclear powers have a profound duty to keep away from provocative conduct, to decrease the danger of proliferation, and to stop escalation and nuclear struggle.”
Strategic Command oversees the U.S. nuclear triad, which is being modernized to face this new world. The secretary famous that he was in California final week to unveil the B-21 Raider. This new typical and nuclear-capable bomber – the primary because the B-2 – will turn out to be the spine of the Air Power’s fleet for many years.
“We’re working to modernize the opposite legs of the triad by means of new Columbia-class submarines and the Sentinel ICBM [intercontinental ballistic missile] system,” the secretary stated. “Strategic Command is right here to discourage battle and hold the peace, and meaning a protected, safe and efficient U.S. nuclear arsenal as the last word backstop to discourage strategic assaults on our nation and our allies — together with NATO, Japan, the Republic of Korea and Australia.”
The command can also be working to construct a very built-in deterrence, that lies on the coronary heart of the U.S. National Defense Strategy, which incorporates the conclusions of the Nuclear Posture Evaluation.
“Our nuclear capabilities do not exist in a vacuum,” Austin stated. “We should combine our nuclear deterrent throughout all domains, together with house and our on-line world. And we should additionally scale back the danger that escalation in a single area may spill over into one other. As our Nationwide Protection Technique and Nuclear Posture Evaluation clarify, that kind of integration is extra important than ever to stop battle and disaster.”
Nuclear deterrence shouldn’t be a numbers sport, the secretary warned. That concept may spur a harmful arms race.
“So, [the command] is growing the credible capabilities and the ideas that we have to stop battle on this century,” he stated. “You’re integrating our efforts throughout all domains. And also you’re weaving our capabilities along with these of our allies and companions.”
Austin stated the discuss of deterrence doesn’t reduce america’ work to eradicate nuclear risks. “We’re working to scale back the worldwide position of nuclear weapons by means of arms management, nonproliferation and strategic stability,” he stated.
“For many years, america has used these instruments to lower the potential for nuclear struggle — all underwritten by our robust deterrent. We stay dedicated to placing diplomacy first and to enhancing transparency and predictability. And we stand able to pursue new arms-control preparations with keen companions working in good religion.”
Austin stated it is as much as U.S. Strategic Command to proceed to discourage nations from utilizing the world’s most harmful weapons. “For 3 years, the very important work of this command has been led by Adm. Charles Richard,” Austin stated. “He has led Stratcom with vigilance and resolve at a time of evolving threats — and through a worldwide pandemic. He has centered relentlessly on China’s growth of its nuclear capabilities… and on Russia’s harmful escalatory conduct.”
Austin stated Richard has labored to make sure that america’ extended-deterrence commitments to our allies stay ironclad. The secretary thanked the profession submariner for his 41 years of service and management and wished Richard and his household “a good wind and following seas.”
Austin welcomed Cotton, who involves the place from Air Power International Strike Command. The Air Power common will proceed overseeing the essential DOD investments in nuclear command and management and within the modernization of the nuclear triad.
Nonetheless, “deterrence has by no means been simply concerning the numbers, the weapons or the platforms,” Austin stated. “The center of American deterrence is the individuals who defend us and our allies. It is the younger missileers who hold the watch; the sailors who patrol the depths of the oceans; and the pilots who stay prepared at a second’s discover. It is the technicians and operators who hold our methods buzzing.”
Strategic Command defends america and its allies from disaster, Austin stated. “Allow us to all the time make sure that probably the most harmful weapons ever produced by human science are managed with the best duty ever produced by human authorities,” he stated.