Global Strike mission continues during winter storm

BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. (AFNS) -- While Americans face hazardous road conditions and closures this week with a major winter storm blowing across the heart of the country, it is wintertime business as usual at most Air Force Global Strike Command bases, officials said.

The command's responsibility for northern bases, which serve both intercontinental ballistic missile and long-range bomber missions, requires Global Strike Airmen to continue the mission in harsh winter weather to maintain nuclear readiness 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

Sub-zero temperatures, snow and ice are nothing new for many of Global Strike Command's wings, more than half of which operate in wintry conditions for more than half the year.

"Operating in harsh winter conditions is not new to us, but we always take weather seriously," said Col. Michael Morgan, the AFGSC deputy director of operations, plans and requirements. "Global Strike base officials are managing weather conditions to ensure the safety of people and resources. It is one of the things we value as a command: safety in all things large ... and small."