USSTRATCOM Leader Discusses Challenges for Today's Military

In April, Maj. Gen. Christopher Eubank, USA, chief of staff, U.S. Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM), Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska, shared his thoughts with the Greater Omaha Chapter on USSTRATCOM challenges. Eubank initially thanked AFCEA for developing opportunities to help instill STEM expertise in youth and professionals in the Greater Omaha Area. He added this investment directly supports the lines of effort necessary to ensure our nation is poised to succeed through today's unique global challenges. Eubank also talked about the challenges today's military is facing. He mentioned that the Cold War pitted the United States against a single enemy, and in today's environment we're confronted by two nuclear powers, the People's Republic of China and the Russian Federation. Eubank discussed the current strategic environment, that it is currently layered across multiple domains. Our adversaries have had years to study our vulnerabilities. And they've had time to create asymmetric approaches to counter our advantages. Eubank touched on how China has surpassed the United States in its number of land-based intercontinental ballistic missiles. Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin claims to have modernized 95% of his nuclear forces, including nuclear-capable hypersonic systems. Eubank touched on our own modernization. As a global warfighting command, STRATCOM sets the conditions across the globe as the ultimate guarantor of national and allied security. Our forces and capabilities underpin and enable all other joint force operations. Eubank commented that we need to remain laser focused on the electromagnetic spectrum. If this environment is not secured and grows more contested and congested, this could be our Achilles' heel. He pointed out that we need to bridge the gap between innovation and implementation. As the electromagnetic spectrum evolves, it is shaped by innovation in areas like artificial intelligence and machine learning. The United States needs to find ways to translate these advancements into operational capabilities. Eubank concluded with these parting words to contractors: "We need to have a holistic conversation. Come to solve problems not just to sell a widget. Help us with our military problems and where to obtain the work force."

Event Photographs: