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Commander takes stock: Tinker reviews its mission in nuclear enterprise

  • Published
  • By Brandice J. Armstrong
  • Tinker Public Affairs
TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla., --  Nuclear stewardship may not be the largest or most recognizable Tinker mission, but officials said it is the most important. In an effort to demonstrate its significance at Tinker, senior leaders will spend Nov. 14 discussing nuclear issues.

Better known as "Nuclear Immersion Day," Maj. Gen. Loren Reno, Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center commander, will visit several organizations with nuclear-oriented missions. During his visits, the commander will reemphasize the importance of the nuclear mission and the jobs Tinker personnel perform everyday to support it.

Tinker manages at least three nuclear-certified weapons systems -- Boeing B-52 Stratofortress, Northrop-Grumman B-2 Spirit and cruise missiles. Additionally, Tinker is responsible for providing safe accommodations should a nuclear weapons system make an emergency landing or layover at the base.

"I'm going to spend an entire day going to see and be seen, and looking and hearing about how we do this mission," General Reno wrote Lt. Gen. Terry Gabreski, Air Force Materiel Command vice commander, in an e-mail about the event. "I intend to take some experts with me every step of the way."

General Reno is scheduled to meet with at least eight organizations including the Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center's 498th Missile Sustainment Group, 72nd Air Base Wing, 76th Maintenance Wing and 327th Aircraft Sustainment Wing. Spending about an hour at each unit, he will be accompanied by Col. Robert Hyde, special assistant to the Air Force Materiel Command commander for Nuclear Matters at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio.

"General Reno is dedicated to the devoted people who carry out the mission," said Chris Mance, who is leading General Reno's nuclear stewardship program.

By revitalizing the nuclear enterprise effort, Mr. Mance said, the United States will continue to provide the best support to its allies while deterring enemies. Though the use of nuclear weapons is a last resort, having them may dissuade other nations from manufacturing them.

Tinker officials also ensure individuals within the Nuclear Weapons Personnel Reliability Program, who work in the nuclear-oriented mission, have appropriate clearance and certification.

Mr. Mance said as Tinker's nuclear stewardship program develops, Tinker officials will develop additional policies and operating instructions for handling nuclear matters.