Reinvigorating the Air Force Nuclear Enterprise

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Rachel Davenport
  • 509th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
WHITEMAN AFB, Mo. --  "Deterrence is extremely important and the enemy's got to think that we can place that weapon wherever we need to do it whenever we need it. The American public is depending on us and has entrusted us to do that -- to maintain those weapons and that deterrent capability safely ... it's good for me to get out here and to see the folks of the 509th Bomb Wing." 

The importance of reinvigorating the nuclear enterprise was the message of Maj. Gen. Frederick Roggero, Air Force chief of safety, during his visit here Feb. 22-25. 

The two prominent items on General Roggero's agenda during his visit to Whiteman and other wings are to ensure the combat capability of the Air Force is preserved and even more importantly, Airmen's lives are a top priority. 

"We're trying to make sure that the Airmen appreciate the importance of the mission that they've got here. This is such an important mission. It's a no fail mission," the general said. "We've got to make sure that the Airmen out there understand that number one, we appreciate their efforts and what they're doing. Number two, that they've got the tools and the training in order to ensure that our strategic weapons are safely kept and maintained so that they're secure, so that they're reliable, and so that they're safe." 

His visit to see the capabilities first hand comes as no surprise to the Airmen stationed here as the inspection record for the 509th Bomb Wing remains stellar. 

"It's important that leadership comes out here and sees what the warriors of the 509th are doing," said General Roggero. "The mission here, the capability ... This nation is the only one that has this capability and we as an Air Force need to make sure that we can safely use this capability whenever needed. If there's a target that we need to strike tomorrow, this is the capability that's out there ready to do it." 

To determine where the 509th stands regarding its deterrent mission, General Roggero traveled to several units at Whiteman. 

"My tour today with the 509th was great," he said. "To come out and see the warriors, see the important missions, see the way these professionals are doing their job...gives you pride in what we do."