Air Forces Cyber Commander, Command Chief visit nuke surveillance center

  • Published
  • By Susan A. Romano
  • AFTAC Public Affairs
PATRICK SPACE FORCE BASE, Fla. --  The commander of 16th Air Force (Air Forces Cyber), accompanied by the 16th Air Force command chief, traveled from San Antonio to Florida’s Space Coast to visit the Department of Defense’s sole nuclear surveillance center April 17-18.
 
Lt. Gen. Thomas K. Hensley and Chief Master Sgt. Robert L. Hopkins made the trip to the Air Force Technical Applications Center here to learn more about the center’s dynamic and evolving role in detecting, verifying, and analyzing global nuclear activity in real time.
 
Subject matter experts from across the nuclear surveillance center provided the visiting dignitaries with specific, tailored, and in-depth information that has an overarching impact on the broader 16th Air Force objectives.  The 2-day agenda was filled with mission briefings, hands-on immersions, and tabletop discussions, covering the vast scope and breadth of AFTAC’s worldwide responsibilities.
 
“The goal of this visit was to showcase AFTAC's vital no-fail mission, unique technology, and most importantly, introduce General Hensley to our truly exceptional Airmen,” said Col. Creighton Mullins, AFTAC commander.  “The men and women of this center of excellence tirelessly execute all phases of our mission, from advancing science-based tradecrafts to delivering them as cutting-edge capabilities, while executing time-dominant, full-spectrum nuclear surveillance from weapons development to employment.”
 
Since taking command of 16th Air Force in August 2024, Hensley’s focus has been on improving technology, advancing innovation, developing capabilities, and incorporating information warfare at the operational and tactical levels – all with a sense of urgency.

“For the past 20-plus years, our nation was focused on GWOT (global war on terrorism), where we operated in uncontested airspace,” Hensley said.  “In today’s world, one of our nation’s biggest threat – the Chinese Communist Party – is a lethal, modernized nation-state that is expanding every day.  It’s of the utmost importance for the United States to deter that threat, and AFTAC plays a crucial role in that deterrence.”
 
He continued, “The AFTAC at War concept really gets after the DOD’s warrior ethos priority by operationalizing science and technology to enhance battlespace characterization. This organization is like no other in the world, and the President and Secretary of Defense are relying on AFTAC to support their initiatives, especially the Golden Dome defense shield.”
 
Throughout the schedule of events, the general recognized several Airmen with his commander’s coin for superior performance.  One recipient was 2nd Lt. Christian Moody, an engineer and deputy branch chief for exploitation and development in AFTAC’s Strategic Integration Directorate.
 
“It’s an incredible honor to receive a coin from General Hensley,” Moody said, “but it really belongs to my team and the dozens of people across the center who really make things happen.  I simply help orchestrate the work, but they’re the ones doing the heavy lifting.  I really appreciate the time the general took to learn more about our sensor network and for the recognition of our efforts.”
 
Sixteenth’s top enlisted leader was inspired by what he witnessed during the visit.
 
“The Airmen of AFTAC are doing absolutely amazing things,” Hopkins said.  “The warrior ethos is alive and well here, and the professionals who execute the mission never divested from the need to be combat ready, they merely pivoted.  They are focused, prepared, and ready to face today what tomorrow’s crisis might be.   It’s really impressive.”
 
At the conclusion of their tour of the facilities, Hensley and Hopkins held an All Call in AFTAC’s Northrup Auditorium to relay the Air Force’s focus on building combat readiness and modernizing for today’s extremely competitive battlespace, and to take questions from the standing room only crowd.
 
During the call, Hensley praised AFTAC members for being “action-oriented problem solvers,” while emphasizing, “this is not the same AFTAC from my previous visit in 2011!”  He then thanked AFTAC for being a lead example in 16th Air Force for evolving to gain advantage over our adversaries.  
 
Hensley also touched on current events that have impacted the federal workforce recently: the government-wide hiring freeze and the deferred resignation program.
 
As they wrapped up the town hall meeting, Hensley and Hopkins thanked AFTAC members for their dedication and service to the nation, and praised them for embracing their “AFTAC at War” mantra.
 
“You are a one-of-a-kind organization that does this mission on a global scale,” Hensley said.  “You are doing a great job with demonstrated enthusiasm, which is a direct reflection of leadership and the instilled culture that resides here at AFTAC.”
 
The center’s commander was pleased with the outcome of the visit.
 
“When we have the opportunity to host a Numbered Air Force commander and command chief, it is our chance to showcase the critical role AFTAC plays in countering next-generation nuclear threats while ensuring compliance with international arms control treaties,” Mullins said.  “In an era of rapidly advancing technologies and growing global instability, AFTAC is indispensable to preserving peace and security worldwide, and I believe General Hensley and Chief Hopkins walked away with a much deeper and broader understanding of this center’s complexity and its contributions.”