Global Strike convenes acquisition summit at Barksdale AFB to fast-track modernization

Barksdale Air Force Base, La. — Air Force Global Strike Command brought senior leaders from across the acquisition, logistics, and sustainment enterprise to Barksdale Air Force Base from June 23–25 for a Technology, Acquisition and Sustainment Review aimed at sharpening the long-range strike mission and accelerating modernization.

Organized by AFGSC’s Strategic Plans, Programs and Requirements Directorate (A5/8) in coordination with the Logistics, Engineering and Force Protection Directorate (A4), the three-day summit synchronized efforts with the Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisitions team and Air Force Materiel Command. The meeting was co-chaired by Lt. Gen. Luke Cropsey, the military deputy in the Office of the Assistant SAF/AQ for Technology and Logistics; Gen. S.L. Davis, AFGSC commander; and Lt. Gen. Linda Hurry, AFMC commander.

“The TASR summit ensures we are directly aligning our resources with our most urgent acquisition needs,” Cropsey said. “We are making the hard decisions today to guarantee our Airmen maintain a decisive advantage tomorrow.”

Command officials described TASR as a working forum that connects operators with the acquisition community, enabling rapid decisions on complex, enterprise-level issues. The format is designed to cut through process delays, pair program offices with warfighters, and keep modernization and sustainment efforts tied to operational requirements.

“Our acquisition strategies must be aligned with and support our Airmen who execute the mission,” Davis said. “By sitting down face-to-face with the acquisition and sustainment experts, we can cut through the red tape and accelerate the fielding and sustainment of Global Strike systems.”

This year’s agenda concentrated on immediate readiness and modernization priorities. Discussion centered on:
– Platform modernization to advance sustainment of legacy weapon systems
– Maintenance and sustainment challenges, including maintainer workload, funding and surge planning, and updates to maintenance systems
– Cyber communications upgrades and proactive cybersecurity programs
– Base and training infrastructure needs, such as counter-small unmanned aircraft systems, modernized pilot simulators, and critical facility upgrades

While near-term sustainment and cyber improvements dominated the sessions, leaders also kept longer-horizon programs in view. Strategic satellite communications, nuclear command, control and communications (NC3), nuclear certification pathways, future weapons development, and aircraft efforts that include the E-4B and helicopter lifecycle programs were integrated into long-term planning discussions.

AFMC representatives emphasized the value of tailoring enterprise solutions to the distinct realities of the Global Strike mission, which spans nuclear deterrence and long-range strike operations. “AFMC’s priority is to deliver integrated, enterprise-wide solutions that keep our warfighters lethal and ready,” Hurry said. “Working directly with AFGSC leadership at the TASR allows us to hear their exact needs, remove roadblocks on the spot, and accelerate the readiness and modernization efforts that keep our strategic platforms in the fight.”

By aligning stakeholders from SAF/AQ, AFGSC, and AFMC, the review sought to ensure the Air Force’s most critical research, development, testing, and sustainment work remains tightly focused on the challenges confronting Global Strike Airmen now and in the years ahead.