Today, U.S. Senators Deb Fischer and Pete Ricketts, along with U.S. Representatives Don Bacon, Mike Flood, and Adrian Smith, announced the U.S. Air Force’s selection of Nebraska’s own Offutt Air Force Base as the location of the new 95th Wing.
Today’s announcement confirms the Nebraska delegation’s announcement in August that the Air Force intended to activate the new 95th Wing at Offutt.
The 95th Wing, whose mission will be to strengthen strategic command and control, will be a subordinate unit of the Air Force Global Strike Command. Through centralizing nuclear command, control, and communications (NC3) at Offutt, the Air Force will streamline its planning and administrative forces. The 95th Wing is expected to be fully operational by January, and it is projected to add 70 personnel to Offutt.
“The Air Force’s choice of Offutt as home to the 95th Wing reinforces Nebraska’s status as the center of gravity for NC3 missions,” said Senator Fischer, Ranking Member and incoming Chair of the Senate Armed Services Committee’s Strategic Forces Subcommittee. “Nebraska is proud of our leading role in America’s national defense.”
“Offutt Air Force Base will continue to play a critical role in ensuring America’s strategic deterrence against existing and emerging threats posed by adversaries like China and Russia. Nebraska is a wonderful place to live, work, and raise a family,” said Senator Ricketts. “I look forward to welcoming the women and men who will call Omaha, Nebraska home as part of this newly activated unit.”
“This is excellent news for Offutt Air Force Base, the state of Nebraska and the nation,” said Representative Bacon, member of the House Armed Services Committee’s Strategic Forces Subcommittee. “The decision to base the new 95th Wing at Offutt is the culmination of years of hard work by the Air Force and Nebraska’s Congressional delegation. This new wing will strengthen the command control of America’s strategic nuclear deterrent and provide significant economic benefits for the greater Omaha region in the years ahead.”
“As Offutt Air Force Base begins its second century, the 95th Wing will not only grow the base’s role in serving our Armed Forces, but also its footprint, creating great jobs right here in Nebraska’s First District,” said Representative Flood. “Thank you to the Air Force for their ongoing commitment to Offutt and Sarpy County. I am looking forward to welcoming the new 95th Wing to Nebraska as we continue to support the base and the people serving at Offutt and carrying out its critical missions.”
“Nebraska’s longstanding air defense leadership is being appropriately recognized and permanently expanded with the full activation of the 95th Wing,” said Representative Smith. “Global security challenges have brought strategic readiness to the forefront, and the airmen at Offutt have long demonstrated the capacity and willingness to ensure the United States military meets the ever-intensifying demands for command and control. I commend and congratulate the outstanding servicemembers and people of our state for this accomplishment. I am grateful for the work and cooperation of the Nebraska delegation to support this effort.”