F.E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, Wyo. — The 377th Air Base Wing at Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico, became part of 20th Air Force Oct. 1, as it shifts from Air Force Materiel Command to Air Force Global Strike Command.
The 377th ABW, along with the 28th Bomb Wing from Ellsworth AFB, South Dakota, and the 7th BW from Dyess AFB, Texas, moved into AFGSC as part of a consolidation of missions into AFGSC Numbered Air Forces.
The consolidation of the 377th ABW, along with the three Air Force intercontinental ballistic missile wings, into 20th Air Force is specifically intended to help streamline the nuclear enterprise by placing operational mission support within the Air Force’s nuclear major command. The move of the B-1B Lancers from the 28th BW and the 7th BW from Air Combat Command into 8th Air Force will consolidate all the bombers into one Numbered Air Force within AFGSC.
"The U.S. Air Force is always seeking to improve the way we do business," said Maj. Gen. Jack Weinstein, the commander of 20th Air Force. "The transfer of the 377th ABW highlights the continued improvements the Air Force is making in the nuclear enterprise to ensure we remain the most credible, capable and reliable force for our nation."
Weinstein further stated that the nuclear capabilities of the U.S. military form the backbone of U.S. national security.
The realignment of the 377th ABW is designed to enhance operational and maintenance support to multiple organizations, providing vital expertise within the nuclear enterprise, including the Department of Energy, Sandia National Laboratories, the Air Force Research Laboratory, the Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center, the Space and Missile Systems Center, the Air Force Inspection Agency and the Air Force Safety Center.
The move of the 377th ABW to 20th Air Force will not affect employment within the surrounding communities of Kirtland AFB and will primarily be administrative in nature. The 377th ABW will continue to serve as the host installation for various tenant units at Kirtland AFB. Approximately 1,796 military and government civilians will be realigned from AFMC to AFGSC, but will still remain at their current positions.
"The stewardship of Kirtland AFB under Air Force Material Command was second to none," Weinstein said. "We are proud to welcome the 377th to (20th Air Force) and we will strive to continue their superb legacy and warfighter support to our Air Force."
