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News | April 27, 2018

USSTRATCOM Hosts French Strategic Air Forces Commander

By United States Strategic Command Public Affairs

French Air Force Lt. Gen. Bernard Schuler, commander of French Strategic Air Command, visited U.S. Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM) headquarters, April 23-24.

 

While here, Schuler met with U.S. Air Force Gen. John Hyten, commander of U.S. Strategic Command, as well as other senior leaders and subject matter experts. The discussions focused on the long-standing partnership and the continuing need for strategic deterrence.

 

“Deterrence has to fit into the changing environment,” said Schuler, “We need all components to come together to achieve an overall effect, which is integration.”

 

Hyten emphasized the importance of these visits with allies.

 

“Hosting leaders like Lt. Gen. Schuler gives us the opportunity to enhance collaboration and explore further integration of our capabilities toward mutual defense,” Hyten said. “These engagements are key to the global deterrence initiative.”

 

Schuler highlighted one significant takeaway from his visit – the dedication of the people at USSTRATCOM to the deterrence mission. He likened the teamwork to his favorite sport, soccer, noting soccer is a global event much like strategic deterrence. The teams are forced to respond to changing conditions as they happen on the field, much like the constantly changing global security environment.

 

“A team has to stay together, be combat ready for all instances,” Schuler said. “There is a saying in America, ‘united we stand, divided we fall’ – and that saying applies to the French military and U.S. partnership.”

 

Following his trip here, Schuler is visiting Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, to meet with Gen. Robin Rand, commander U.S. Air Force Global Strike Command.

 

“My position has many things in common with Gen. Rand, the way we train and equip our forces, and the way we protect and modernize our assets. With discussions, we can exchange how to best use the airborne leg in planning and combined planning,” said Schuler.

 

Integrating and collaborating with allies at all levels of the organization is part of Gen. Hyten’s vision for the command.

 

U.S. Strategic Command has global responsibilities assigned through the Unified Command Plan that include strategic deterrence, nuclear operations, space operations, cyberspace operations, joint electromagnetic spectrum operations, global strike, missile defense, and analysis and targeting.

 

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