Air Force Global Strike Command kicked off the
four technology and innovation symposium on Nov. 4 at Barksdale AFB, La. The
event is the culmination of the three-month Global Strike Challenge, during
which security forces, maintainers, missile, and bomber crews competed to earn
bragging rights as the “best of the best” in their given specialty. Teams from
all six AFGSC wings, the Air Force Reserve, and Air Combat Command arrived at
Barksdale for the official score posting and awards ceremony. “We are a big
piece of our nation’s strategic deterrence,” said AFGSC boss
Lt.
Gen. Stephen Wilson during his opening remarks. “We’ve assembled some of
the best and brightest from around the country … Ask [them] challenging
questions, think about what they say, and internalize it. Think about how we
can make ourselves better.”
Maj.
Gen. Garrett Harencak, assistant chief of staff for strategic deterrence
and nuclear integration, as well as former Commander-in-Chief of Strategic Air
Command retired Gen. Jack Chain, former 8th Air Force Commander retired
Lt.
Gen. Robert Elder also spoke at the event. "For
generations, the American people understood the value of what you do in the
deterrence mission. They don't now. That is my fault— it's all of our faults—
because we don't talk about it," said Harencak.