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New commander pledges 'best leadership, guidance' possible

By Lt. Gen. Jim Kowalski, Commander of Air Force Global Strike Command / Published January 21, 2011

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BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. -- To The Men and Women of Air Force Global Strike Command,

It is my honor to serve as your commander and continue the important work of this command. It was humbling to take the reins from Global Strike's first commander, Lt. Gen. Klotz. The Air Force loses a wealth of experience and dedicated leadership as he heads into retirement. We will continue the momentum he started.

Chief Master Sgt. Jack Johnson and I were able to visit our major installations last week and meet with many of you. As I noted in my Commander's Calls, we're counting on each of you to exercise the leadership needed to take our command to the next level. We're looking to all of you for your good ideas and your solutions to problems we might not even know exist. We encourage you to tell your chain of command how to improve our operations.

I see three key challenges ahead for us. First, we must consolidate our successes as a command and continue to strengthen our nuclear culture. Second, we must be agile enough to maintain the intense focus on the nuclear deterrence mission while at the same time aggressively supporting our joint team in today's conventional wars. Third, we must be innovative--that's why we need your good ideas--to sustain the current force while preparing for the challenges of the future.

A note of thanks to the hundreds of Airmen deployed to the missile fields in support of Strategic Command's nuclear deterrence mission--your hard work and vigilance give our nation a safe, secure and effective nuclear arsenal to ensure strategic stability for a peaceful world. Thanks also to the 1,100 Global Strike Command Airmen currently deployed in support of today's operations across the globe--you make a difference daily in support of our Regional Combatant Commanders.

A special thanks as well from my wife, Julie, and me to the 2d Bomb Wing at Barksdale for hosting the events surrounding the first-ever Global Strike Command change of command. The Air Force Chief of Staff, the Strategic Command commander, the Air Combat Command commander, and our friends and family were greatly impressed by the execution of the week's events, just as I have been impressed by what I've seen already at each base.

I pledge to return the gracious welcome as your new commander by providing all of you the best leadership and guidance I possibly can.
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