| Nuclear Weapons Center | |
|---|---|
 Nuclear Weapons Center emblem  Part of Air Force Materiel Command | |
| Active | 2006-Present |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | United States Air Force |
| Type | Nuclear Experts |
| Role | Combat Support |
| Size | Center |
| Part of | Air Force Materiel Command |
| Garrison/HQ | Kirtland Air Force Base |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander | Brigadier General Garrett Harencak |
Mission
The center's mission is to ensure safe, secure, and reliable nuclear weapon systems to support the National Command Structure and the United States Air Force warfighter. A USAF Named Unit, the NWC operates at the Air Division level of the Air Force Materiel Command.
The NWC’s vision is to be the Air Force’s Center of Excellence for all nuclear weapon systems activities. The responsibilities of the NWC include acquisition, modernization and sustainment of nuclear system programs for both the Departments of Defense and Energy.
Overview
Established on March 31, 2006, the Nuclear Weapons Center is Air Force Materiel Command’s center of expertise for nuclear weapon systems. The NWC is the single AFMC voice for integrating nuclear weapon systems requirements and nuclear weapon system resource management. The center is the primary unit servicing Kirtland AFB and its over 100 tenant units.
- The 377th Air Base Wing furnishes the talent, resources, equipment and facilities to support the Kirtland AFB community--active duty members, retirees, dependents and civilians. That support includes supply, finance, medical care, housing, civil engineering, fire protection, administrative support, personnel services, legal assistance, transportation, security and law enforcement.
- The 498th Nuclear Systems Wing is responsible for nuclear material on Kirtland AFB. The 498th Munitions Maintenance Group provides this support through the 898th Munitions Squadron. The squadrons perform in-depth maintenance on Air Force and Department of Energy assets from around the world. Their objective is to deliver all munitions and support to the correct location on time and in prime operating condition.
History
The Nuclear Weapons Center was originally established as a Major Command to direct specialized organizations dealing with atomic and other unconventional weapons. Because much of the work involved research and development, it lost its status as a Major Command and was absorbed by the Air Research and Development Command in Apr 1952, but continued to do research and development on special weapons until 1976.
On March 31, 2006, the Air Force reactivated the unit as the Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center.
Lineage
- Established as the Special Weapons Command (a USAF Major Command), and activated on 1 Dec 1949
- Re-designated: Air Force Special Weapons Center (lost Major Command status) on 1 Apr 1952
- Inactivated on: 1 Apr 1976
- Re-designated: Nuclear Weapons Center on 14 Feb 2006
- Activated on: 31 Mar 2006
- Re-designated: Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center on 29 Feb 2008
Components
- 377th Air Base Wing, 31 March 2006-Present
- 498th Nuclear Systems Wing, 31 March 2006-Present
Assignments
- Headquarters United States Air Force, 1 Dec 1949
- Air Research and Development (later, Air Force Systems) Command, 1 Apr 1952-1 Apr 1976
- Air Force Materiel Command, 31 Mar 2006-Present
Stations
- Kirtland AFB, New Mexico, 1 Dec 1949-1 Apr 1976; 31 Mar 2006-Present
References
This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency
External links
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