Air Force Global Strike Command

The Boeing Co., Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, was awarded a non-competitive, firm-fixed-price contract for high throughput commercial military Ka-band mission essential communications and internet service on E-4B aircraft under Air Force Global Strike Command control. The face value of this action is $26,634,982, funded by fiscal 2021 operations and maintenance funds.  The total cumulative face value of the contract is $197,223,871.  Primary performance will be at Boeing Global SatCom Services Network Operations Center, Kent, Washington. The period of performance is April 1, 2021, through March 31, 2022, with four 12-month option periods. This award is the result of a sole-source acquisition.

The Air Force is in the process of developing a successor to the LGM-30G Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) known as the Ground-Based Strategic Deterrent (GBSD). The GBSD is the land-based component of the United States’ nuclear deterrence triad, which, along with ballistic missile submarines and the aircraft bomber fleet, serves as the backbone of our national security, according to the Defense Department.

The service also is working on a next-generation airborne missile control system that can launch both Minuteman III as well as GBSD missiles when the latter is ready for deployment in the late 2020s as expected.  

Lt. Gen. Timothy M. Ray, USAF, has been nominated for appointment to the rank of general and for assignment as commander, Air Force Global Strike Command, Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana.

Col. John J. Nichols, USAF, has been selected to the grade of brigadier general and assigned as commander, 509th Bomb Wing, Air Force Global Strike Command, Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri.

Maj. Gen. Thomas A. Bussiere, USAF, has been assigned as commander, 8th Air Force (Air Forces Strategic), Air Force Global Strike Command; and joint functional component commander for Global Strike, U.S. Strategic Command, Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana.

Robin Rand, USAF, has been nominated for assignment as commander, Air Force Global Strike Command, Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana.  

Brig. Gen. Glen D. VanHerck, USAF, has been assigned as commander, 509th Bomb Wing, Air Force Global Strike Command, Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri.