Vitter and Fleming Call Selection of Barksdale for Global Strike Command a Huge Win'
Will fight to keep as much Cyber as possible
The Global Strike Command will coordinate the Air Force's nuclear mission, and will be the tenth major command of the U.S. Air Force. The new command will organize and coordinate the Air Force's nuclear operations and capabilities and could bring 1,000 additional personnel to Barksdale.
"This is a huge win for Barksdale and the local community," said Vitter. "With this decision, the Air Force has acknowledged something that we have known for some time - that Barksdale is an integral component of U.S. defense operations."
"Today's announcement is welcome news for Barksdale and all of Northwest Louisiana . Global Strike Command reinforces the importance of Barksdale to the United State Military. There will be some infrastructure needed to complete this mission. Senator Vitter and myself, as the only two members of the Louisiana delegation to sit on the House and Senate Armed Services Committee, will begin working to secure the necessary funding to build out what remains per Air Force requirements. We expect the decision on the 24th Air Force to come sometime in the next month. If we are not awarded this mission as well, we will also begin working with Barksdale Forward to find other government entities to move in utilize the cyber infrastructure already in place in Bossier. I am confident we will be able to find tenants that will need the security and construction already in place at Cyber Command," said Fleming.
Vitter also urged Sec. Donley to retain significant cyber assets at Barksdale to help ensure that Barksdale continues to play a role in Air Force cyber operations.
"The Cyber Innovation Center is a state-of-the-art investment that can be hugely beneficial to the community using existing cyber assets and the appeal of an Air Force Major Command," said Vitter.
Earlier this month, Vitter organized a meeting in Washington with members of the Louisiana delegation, senior leadership in the Air Force and local Bossier officials to discuss the strengths and advantages of Barksdale Air Force Base, and detail how the Air Force could benefit from the location of more Air Force assets and commands.
Vitter is a member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Armed Services which has jurisdiction over the Air Force and Department of Defense. He also sits on the Subcommittee on Strategic Forces which has jurisdiction over nuclear operations that will affect Global Strike Command.
U.S. Rep Fleming sits on the House Armed Services Committee and represents Louisiana's 4th Congressional District, which includes both Barksdale Air Force Base and Ft. Polk .