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Library > Fact Sheets > 20th Air Force
20TH AIR FORCE
Posted 9/29/2015
Printable Fact Sheet
Twentieth Air Force is a Component Numbered Air Force with headquarters at F. E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyoming, in the Cheyenne community. Twentieth Air Force is responsible for the Nation's three intercontinental ballistic missile wings and one nuclear operations support wing.
Twentieth Air Force headquarters has dual responsibilities to Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC) and United States Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM). As the missile numbered air force for AFGSC, Twentieth Air Force is responsible for maintaining, securing, supporting and operating the Air Force's ICBM force. Designated as USSTRATCOM's Task Force 214, Twentieth Air Force provides on-alert, combat ready ICBMs to the President.
20 AF Mission in Support of AFGSC
Prepare the Nation's ICBM force to execute safe, secure, and effective nuclear strike operations and support worldwide COCOM requirements.
TF-214 Mission in Support of USSTRATCOM
Perform credible, around-the-clock nuclear deterrence operations; when directed by the President of the United States, conduct rapid, accurate, and decisive global ICBM strike.
20 AF/TF-214 Vision
A cohesive team of highly skilled and focused warfighters delivering combat capability across the spectrum of conflict.
ICBM Force Priorities
Commitment to Our Warrior Ethos
Coach, Train, and Mentor ICBM Professionals and Leaders
Care for Airmen and Families
Safe, Secure, and Effective Daily Operations
Personnel
Approximately 10,600 professionals are assigned to Twentieth Air Force.
Organization
Twentieth Air Force has three ICBM wings:
- 90th Missile Wing at F.E. Warren AFB, Wyo.
- 91st Missile Wing at Minot AFB, N.D.
- 341st Missile Wing at Malmstrom AFB, Mont.
Nuclear operations support wing:
- 377th Air Base Wing at Kirtland AFB, N.M.
Direct Reporting Units
- 582d Helicopter Group at F.E. Warren AFB, Wyo.
- 620th Ground Combat Training Squadron at Camp Guernsey, Wyo.
- 625th Strategic Operations Squadron at Offutt AFB, Neb.
ICBM Capabilities
America's ICBM team fulfills a critical role in maintaining global stability and ensuring the nation's safety and security. Up to 450 Minuteman III missiles provide a critical component of America's on-alert strategic forces. As the nation's "Unwavering Sentinel," the Airmen of Twentieth Air Force and Task Force 214 have remained on continuous, around-the-clock alert since 1959.
AFGSC is the Air Force's lead command for and largest operator of UH-1N Iroquois helicopters. The UH-1N supports ICBM operations in missile fields controlled by F. E. Warren AFB, Malmstrom AFB and Minot AFB.
History
Twentieth Air Force has a proud heritage as America's long-range strategic force. Activated April 4, 1944, the unit's B-29 Superfortresses bombed the Japanese Islands. Twentieth Air Force bombers, Enola Gay and Bockscar, brought an early end to World War II after they dropped the first atomic bombs on Japan. Twentieth Air Force units also supported United Nations' forces during the Korean War.
Mar. 1, 1955 - Twentieth Air Force inactivated
Sept. 1, 1991 - Twentieth Air Force reactivated as a component of the Strategic Air Command and was located at Vandenberg AFB, Calif. Operationally responsible for all land-based Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles, Twentieth Air Force's rebirth came at a time when America's nuclear forces were entering a decade of unprecedented force reductions and changes. Spawned by the Cold War's end and the breakup of the Soviet Union, these changes reshaped the basic fabric of this nation's nuclear deterrent forces. For the men and women of America's ICBM Team, it proved to be a period of sustained, dramatic change.
ICBM force structure was reduced radically as well during the 1990s, downsizing from six wings to three, and from 1,000 alert ICBMs to 550. These drawdowns posed major leadership challenges for Airmen at all levels of command.
June 1, 1992 - Strategic Air Command inactivated and the majority of SAC's assets, including Twentieth Air Force, transferred to the newly created Air Combat Command. The new U.S. Strategic Command assumed combatant command of Twentieth Air Force's ICBMs.
Jul. 1, 1993 - Twentieth Air Force transferred to Air Force Space Command and moved from Vandenberg AFB to F. E. Warren AFB on 1 October 1993. In the early 2000s, the deactivation of the 400th Missile Squadron at F.E. Warren AFB, Wyo. and the 564th Missile Squadron at Malmstrom AFB, Mont. brought the total number of on-alert ICBMs down to its current number of 450.
Dec. 1, 2009 - Air Force Global Strike Command assumed control of Twentieth Air Force and the Air Force's Minuteman III ICBM mission.
Oct. 1, 2015 - The 377th Air Base Wing at Kirtland AFB, N.M. transferred to Twentieth Air Force.
(Current as of October 2015)
Twentieth Air Force, Commander's Action Group, 6610 Headquarters Dr, Suite 1; F.E. Warren AFB, Wyo. 82005; 307-773-5322; DSN 481-5322; e-mail: 20AF.CCX@us.af.mil
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