U.S. Strategic Command’s Command & Control Facility Dedicated to Gen. Curtis LeMay

U.S. Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM) dedicated its new Command and Control Facility (C2F) today at Offutt Air Force Base, Neb. to Gen. Curtis E. LeMay.

Mr. David L. Norquist, Deputy Secretary of Defense; Gen. Mark A. Milley, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; Adm. Charles “Chas” A. Richard, commander of USSTRATCOM; and Gen. John E. Hyten, former commander of USSTRATCOM officially dedicated the nation’s newest weapon system for nuclear command, control and communications, to LeMay to honor the foundation he laid for the command.

“This facility, which we are dedicating today as the General Curtis E. LeMay Command and Control Facility, was one of the most complex construction projects in our government’s history...,” Norquist said.

[It] will support the modernization of our strategic assets, the nuclear triad, and the nuclear command, control, and communications architecture,” he added. “As the new home of over 3,000 personnel, it is a living, breathing weapon system designed to change and grow as threats and capabilities evolve.”

LeMay, also known as the father of Strategic Air Command (SAC), was one of the youngest and longest-serving generals in military history. He began flying bi-winged planes in the 1920s. He participated in the first mass flight of B-17 Flying Fortress aircraft to South America in 1938. During World War II he was instrumental in developing bombing techniques with the B-17’s, which turned the tide in the European Theater. In 1948, LeMay brought SAC to Omaha.  

“General LeMay chose a community that takes great care of our Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and Airmen, who understand the importance of our mission,” Hyten said. “He was all about keeping our country safe, and during his time at Strategic Air Command, he built the capabilities to do so.”

LeMay laid the foundation for modernization and readiness. He pursued long-range bombers and aerial refueling that could fly anywhere around the globe after World War II, and introduced rigorous training for air and missile crews. As part of this, he established spot promotions and inspections, which served to both motivate and discipline Airmen for their work.

“For the past three years, I have walked past General LeMay’s portrait every day and thought about his contributions to our country and how he laid the groundwork for this command to lead strategic deterrence in the 21^st century,” Hyten added.

Transferring the building name from the old USSTRATCOM headquarters to the C2F, located across the street, is continuing LeMay’s legacy. The facility is the heart of the nation’s nuclear command, and the first step in modernizing USSTRATCOM’s nuclear enterprise.

The C2F was built to support the long-term viability and credibility of the nation’s strategic deterrent force. The 916,000-square-foot weapon system has an incredible 650 miles of IT cable, enough to link Omaha to Dallas, enabling the command to adapt and remain flexible far into the future.

For more information, contact the USSTRATCOM Public Affairs Office at 402-294-4130 or USSTRATCOMPA@mail.mil or visit www.stratcom.mil.