WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 (UPI) -- The U.S. Air Force secretary has named the person who will head up the new Global Strike Command as it transitions into a permanent command.
Michael Donley, secretary of the Air Force, announced the appointment of Brig. Gen. James Kowalski as the commander for the provisional Air Force Global Strike Command ahead of the command's scheduled activation on Jan. 12.
Kowalski will lead the new command post responsible for Air Force nuclear operations, according to the Nuclear Roadmap directive published in October, the Air Force reported.
Among Kowalski's major objectives in the near term will be helping determine the command's permanent location. The nuclear command is temporarily located at Bolling Air Force Base in Washington, D.C. Kowalski will also work to implement the organization's program action directive, among other initiatives during the transition from a provisional status to a permanent command.
"With Air Force Global Strike Command, we are establishing a single organization operationally focused on the nuclear and global strike missions," Donley said in a statement.
"AFGSC represents a crucial commitment to our responsibility for day-to-day excellence and unquestionable stewardship of the nuclear and strategic deterrence missions."
