New StratCom nerve center up and running
Posted: Thursday, February 02, 2006
OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. (AP) -- The "knowledge wall" at the new Global Operations Center for the U.S. Strategic Command is learning what it can in high-tech real time about international threats to U.S. security.
StratCom opened its upgraded and redesigned $35 million Global Operations Center Tuesday, and in opening it, added new missions to the center.
The Global Operations Center will focus on Stratcom's mission, which is commanding the nation's nuclear arsenal.
One of the new additions to the center, situated well below the surface of the base, is a "knowledge wall," an array of projection and flat screen televisions that link to other command centers. They show developing security situations in real time.
Given the new capabilities, StratCom is now also responsible for global intelligence, computer network warfare, space and global strike capabilities, combating weapons of mass destruction and providing integrated missile defense.
"This is now the hub of many other command centers, all connected with audio and visual and communications equipment," said Navy Capt. Brian Toon, chief of StratCom's Command Center Division.
No new jobs were added at Offutt to staff the center, said Lt. Col. Randi Steffy. The center will continue to be run by a mix of civilian and military personnel.
The new center is more secure, and although it might not survive a nuclear strike, the reinforced steel and concrete structure is protected from electromagnetic disturbances that would normally render a base center and its electronic equipment useless.
The room also can run on its own power source in an emergency.
The old operations center, built in 1965, had been updated often but no longer fit the growing, complex needs of StratCom, officials said.
In June, construction will begin on a $10 million addition, which will include more meeting rooms and audiovisual communications equipment, Toon said.
StratCom opened its upgraded and redesigned $35 million Global Operations Center Tuesday, and in opening it, added new missions to the center.
The Global Operations Center will focus on Stratcom's mission, which is commanding the nation's nuclear arsenal.
One of the new additions to the center, situated well below the surface of the base, is a "knowledge wall," an array of projection and flat screen televisions that link to other command centers. They show developing security situations in real time.
Given the new capabilities, StratCom is now also responsible for global intelligence, computer network warfare, space and global strike capabilities, combating weapons of mass destruction and providing integrated missile defense.
"This is now the hub of many other command centers, all connected with audio and visual and communications equipment," said Navy Capt. Brian Toon, chief of StratCom's Command Center Division.
No new jobs were added at Offutt to staff the center, said Lt. Col. Randi Steffy. The center will continue to be run by a mix of civilian and military personnel.
The new center is more secure, and although it might not survive a nuclear strike, the reinforced steel and concrete structure is protected from electromagnetic disturbances that would normally render a base center and its electronic equipment useless.
The room also can run on its own power source in an emergency.
The old operations center, built in 1965, had been updated often but no longer fit the growing, complex needs of StratCom, officials said.
In June, construction will begin on a $10 million addition, which will include more meeting rooms and audiovisual communications equipment, Toon said.
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