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Integration & Building Multi-Capable Airmen in the Nuclear Enterprise for Great Power Competition

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  • By 20 AF/90 MW

Current CONOPs for Sentinel Integrated Command Centers (ICC) and Integrated Training Facilities (ITF) for the Missile Wings are being devised without integrating one of the key critical nuclear AFSCs, our 1C3s.  This is happening as our CSAF is calling for establishing an NC3 Wing, establishing an Integrated Capabilities Command to "develop competitive operational concepts" and "integrated requirements" to "align with force design" and for structuring our operational wings to execute the mission with assigned airmen and units.  Our previous CSAF called for "multi-capable" airmen.  Each Missile wing is assigned ~15 1C3s.  Are we adequately integrating them into the next era of nuclear deterrence or are we neglecting an opportunity to leverage this substantial manpower to further integrate all assigned airmen into the AFGSC nuclear mission?           Ideally, CP Controllers would be nested in the ICC with the other controllers/operators (MMOC/MSC/Ops) to enable better/quicker C2 to ensure timeliness and accuracy. Picture 1C3 and 13N professionals operating side-by-side in a Wing ICC EA Cell much like they do in our strategic command centers, capitalizing on the different skill sets and assigned/available manning to support the OPLAN.  Not to mention optimizing our human capital development through increased crosstalk and shared responsibility.             Finally, who else is missing from true integration?  Where are the helos?  To paraphrase Col Hundley (90 MW/CD) during a recent 90 MW Sentinel Working Group Meeting, if we are missing [insert Helos, CP, other], are we really integrated?      

Suggested references: HQ USAF/CC Memo, 23 February 2024, Reoptimizing the Department of the Air Force for Great Power Competition.                                               Operation GLOBAL CITADEL and associated OPORDS.