Deterrence operations convince adversaries not to take actions that threaten U.S. vital interests by means of decisive influence over their decision-making. Decisive influence is achieved by credibly threatening to deny benefits and/or impose costs while encouraging restraint by convincing the actor that restraint will result in an acceptable outcome.
Long-range strike forces communicate a credible capability and intent to impose future costs on an adversary should they take actions detrimental to U.S. interests, convincing them to exercise restraint in their actions and behaviors affecting the United States and its partners.
U.S. nuclear weapons policy extends deterrence to over 30 U.S. allies and partners and assure these countries that the United States will come to their aid, including potentially by using U.S. nuclear weapons, if they are attacked. Allies must be confident that the United States is willing and able to deter the range of strategic threats they face and mitigate the risks they will assume in a crisis or conflict. Long-range strike forces provide allies and partners confidence that they can resist strategic threats and remain secure without acquiring nuclear weapons of their own.
The Air Force’s long-range strike forces, operating as the key strategic element of the Joint Force, engage in strategic competition and contribute to USG efforts to protect and advance U.S. national interests. This is done by applying military power to tilt the competitive balance in order to deter aggression, prepare for armed conflict if deterrence and competition fail to protect vital U.S. national interests, to counter adversaries’ competitive strategies that threaten U.S. national interests, and to support the efforts of inter-organizational partners.
Because of its years of experience conducting operations in support of strategic deterrence, Air Force Global Strike Command is uniquely capable of integrating with other U.S. instruments of power to compete with and deter adversaries. Bomber Task Forces (BTFs) play a significant role in enhancing strategic communications with U.S. competitors, partners, and third-party actors.
Long-Range Strike (LRS) combat operations project military power across vast distances to hit distant, high-value targets, crucial in modern strategic competition. This military power is in the form of platforms like stealth bombers (B-2, B-21), B-52s with long-range cruise missiles, and B-1s with extended range standoff munitions. These operations aim to achieve strategic effects by rapidly disrupting enemy capabilities, influencing behavior, and striking deep behind enemy lines, which often require highly integrated, all-domain approaches with massive precision munitions. Bombers provide heavy payload, long-range power projection from the U.S. homeland, and persistent combat capabilities when flying from bases in the area of operations.
Our US Air Force leadership enforces control and enables our Air Power to ensure the Air Force’s primary mission to protect the nation and its global interests through DETERRENCE, ASSURANCE, and GLOBAL COMPETITION with ADVERSARIES.
