Nuclear summit could produce sweeping changes

Nuclear summit could produce sweeping changes
By Michael Hoffman - Staff writer
Posted : Thursday Sep 11, 2008 6:15:07 EDT

For almost a year, Air Force leaders have hinted at sweeping changes in the command structure of the nuclear force, but despite a parade of task forces examining the issue, few shifts have been made.

That could change Sept. 18, the day the service’s nuclear summit begins at Bolling Air Force Base.

On the day he took command of the service, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz promised to make fixing the nuclear enterprise one of his top priorities. Armed with steps outlined by the Nuclear Task Force established by acting Secretary Michael B. Donley, leaders will meet with Defense Department and interagency officials at the summit to discuss how to refocus and reinvigorate the service’s nuclear mission, according to Capt. Elizabeth Aptekar, a task force spokeswoman.

Details of that plan remain a mystery, but Air Force generals are discussing a shakeup that could place the nuclear and cyber missions under one new major command, or possibly a reorganized and renamed Space Command.

Both missions have come under fire from critics.


Rest of article at: http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2008/09/airforce_nuclear_summit_091008/%2e