KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. — The Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center welcomed Maj. Gen. Scott Jansson as its new commander at a ceremony Oct. 1 at Hardin Field.

Jansson came to Kirtland several months ago as program executive officer for strategic systems. He will retain that position, as well as serving as the AFNWC commander.

"Over the past few months, I’ve had the opportunity to meet many of the dedicated individuals that perform the center’s critical mission, and I’m impressed," Jansson said. "I’m pleased to be joining such an outstanding team."

Gen. Ellen Pawlikowski, Air Force Materiel Command commander, said there are many challenges ahead in the center’s nuclear deterrent responsibilities.

"It’s a world that is changing, and we have to be more prepared than we ever were in providing our counter, our deterrent, which is the cornerstone of the nation’s defense and security," Pawlikowski said. "The Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center has some awesome responsibilities ahead of it and I can’t think of a better person to lead that than Maj. Gen. Scott Jansson."

Jansson replaces Maj. Gen. Sandra Finan, who is going to the Pentagon to be the deputy chief information officer for Command, Control, Communications, and Computers. Finan received the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal during the ceremony.

Also during the ceremony, Kirtland’s 377th Air Base Wing was transferred from Air Force Materiel Command to the Air Force Global Strike Command. Maj. Gen. Jack Weinstein, 20th Air Force commander, presided over the transfer.

Hill AFB has an AFNWC unit.