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Speeches

SPEECH | Nov. 12, 2015

Media Day

(As prepared)

Adm. Cecil D. Haney, U.S. Strategic Command commander: Good afternoon, and thanks for spending some of your valuable time today with U.S. Strategic Command.  I appreciate you taking an interest and covering our mission.  I also want to thank you for supporting our veterans and for the news coverage we saw of Veterans Day.  The year-round support we enjoy from you and our partners throughout Omaha, Bellevue, and the surrounding areas is second to none.

U.S. Strategic Command remains busy.  We just concluded Global Thunder 2016, exercising the capabilities of USSTRATCOM and all of our supporting units.  I am charged with deterring and, if necessary, defeating a military attack against the U.S. and its allies and employing forces as directed by the President and Secretary of Defense.  Exercises such as Global Thunder are just one of many ways we validate and hone our ability to perform that mission.

In addition to the exercise, we had a couple of opportunities to demonstrate the readiness of our nation’s nuclear triad.  A couple of weeks ago, the Air Force – and my Task Force 214 -- validated the capability of the ICBM in a successful weapons test.  Last week, two B-52s participated in the largest NATO exercise in 20 years.  The 26-hour non-stop sortie highlighted U.S. commitments to NATO allies and partners and enhancements of regional security.

Just this past weekend, the Navy – my Task Force 134 -- successfully tested a Trident II D5 missile, launched by the crew of the USS Kentucky, off the coast of California.  It was great to have Sen. Joe Donnelly and a number of other representatives and legislative staff members aboard.  They – along with many others who were not aboard the ballistic missile submarine -- observed the professionalism of the Sailors conducting our strategic deterrence mission.  They saw firsthand the assurance we provide our allies while deterring our adversaries.

There are too many other strategic warriors serving around the world to mention here.  Let me assure you, as I have travelled to Thule, Greenland; Clear, Alaska; Minot, North Dakota; Kings Bay, Georgia; and many other places across the United States and around the world, the men and women I lead, are exceptional in their professionalism and dedication to this vital mission.

So while today, you are here at our headquarters in America’s heartland, I hope you will portray to your viewers that we represent the many Sailors, Soldiers, Airmen, Marines and civilians who are ready to defend against any strategic threat -- 24/7/365.