The Air Force Global Strike Team is responsible for the nation's strategic nuclear deterrence and conventional long-range strike missions, said Air Force Gen. Thomas A. Bussiere, commander of Air Force Global Strike Command and Air Forces Strategic-Air, U.S. Strategic Command, who testified yesterday at a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing.  

Bussiere said the challenge and top priority is sustaining and modernizing legacy weapons systems while caring for the Airmen responsible for them and their families.  

Modernization efforts include two legs of the nuclear triad: the intercontinental ballistic missiles; the B-21 Raider and B-52J Stratofortress strategic bombers; and the nuclear command, control and communications architecture. 

Bussiere said other modernization efforts include the MH-139 Gray Wolf helicopter, the survival airborne operations center, weapons generation facility upgrades and long-range standoff weapons. 

He said the nation faces a serious nuclear threat, with the challenge of deterring two major nuclear powers, China and Russia, who possess modern and diverse arsenals. He added that North Korea poses an escalating threat, and there is the potential of a nuclear-armed Iran. 

"This underscores the importance of fielding a flexible and modern nuclear force to effectively deter them," the general said. He noted that the increased coordination among these U.S. rivals further complicates a dangerous and unprecedented security environment. 

Seeking continued support, Bussiere said, "The Air Force nuclear enterprise is in a critical phase of transition. There is no operational margin remaining, and our resources continue to be stretched, impacting the readiness and well-being of our dedicated airmen." 

Navy Vice Adm. Johnny Wolfe Jr., director of the Navy Strategic Systems Programs, also testified. He told lawmakers, "The Navy's nuclear forces — the bedrock of our national security — are safe, secure, effective and credible." 

It is the most survivable leg of the triad, he added. 

Wolfe said those nuclear forces are the Trident II submarine-launched ballistic missiles and sea-launched cruise missiles, adding that the Navy is also responsible for the Conventional Prompt Strike hypersonic program. 

Like the Air Force, Wolfe said modernization and sustainment of those forces are critical to ensuring continued readiness, and the Navy relies on a relatively small number of skilled employees to make it happen. 

"It is critical that my command is able to appropriately staff its workforce with these highly specialized technical experts," he said. "People are as foundational to our nuclear deterrent as the strategic weapons themselves."