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Joint Nuclear Operations Center

U.S. Air Force Fact Sheet Joint Nuclear Operations Center

Mission

The Joint Nuclear Operations Center directs and delivers Strategic Bomber, Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM), and near real-time Nuclear Command, Control, and Communications (NC3) reporting capabilities to U.S. Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM) for planning and execution of sovereign options for allied assurance, deterrence of Global aggression, defense of vital United States interests, and swift defeat of our adversaries. The JNOC specifically manages nuclear bombers, ICBMs, and sustains alert forces in support of USSTRATCOM. The JNOC also provides the Joint Forces Air Component Commander (JFACC) and Air Forces Strategic (AFSTRAT) operational expertise on unit capabilities and limitations.

Vision

Provide an expert force of nuclear warriors capable of delivering lethality in support of prompt global strike operations across all phases of conflict. Additionally, be able to influence current and future weapon system employment and force sustainment.

Motto

NATIONE SCRIPTOR GLADIUM ET SCUTUM NOSTRUM - "The Sword and Shield of our Nation"

Mission Description

The Joint Nuclear Operations Center has seven divisions, each serving a vital piece to the overall mission of the Center:

Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC) Command Center (ACC): The AFGSC Command Center Division is a 24/7 Specialized Command and Control Element responsible for the operation and monitoring of nuclear command, control, and communication systems within the J-GSOC in support of Operation Global Citadel (OGC). This ensures timely distribution of critical communications between National leaders, CJCS, USSTRATCOM, and COMAFSTRAT-Air/JFACC forces. The AFGSC Command Center Division provides senior leaders with information and situational awareness that enables the management and direction of USSTRATCOM bomber and ICBM forces in all phases of conflict.

Bomber Division (DOB): The Bomber Division is the focal point in the JNOC for planning, coordinating, tasking, monitoring, and assessing nuclear capable strategic bombers and strategic weapons in support of OGC. The Division coordinates with USSTRATCOM, AFGSC, J-GSOC and subordinate organizations, synchronizing daily aircraft utilization and apportioned forces, supporting Combatant Commander (CCDR) objectives. The Division also reports aircraft and weapons status/locations to enhance nuclear and conventional operations in support of the JFACC and CDRUSSTRATCOM.

ICBM Division (NID): The ICBM Division is responsible for reporting of all missile field operations and activities. The ICBM Division observes, tracks, and reports operational nuclear combat capability of 45 Launch Control Centers (LCCs) and 450 Minuteman III Launch Facilities (LFs) and its replacement, the Sentinel weapon system. The ICBM Division provides the JFACC situational awareness and expertise regarding missile field major maintenance activities, nuclear weapons convoy movements, security status, and other operational activities across 20th Air Force. JNOC ICBM subject matter experts provide a primary interface between operations at the missile wings and the USSTRATCOM GOC on behalf of the GSOC/CC and the COMAFSTRAT-Air/JFACC.

Nuclear Command and Control (NC2) Division (NCD): The NC2 Division is a specialized command and control element responsible the development and maintenance of bomber aircrew and associated command post (CP) checklists, to include ICBM Wing CPs. The division is also responsible for NC2 related USSTRATCOM and CJCS publications in regard to coordination and dissemination of governing directives to the above-mentioned units.

NC3 Watch Division (NWD): The NC3 Watch Division is responsible for management of NC3 status reporting to the J-GSOC/CC, COMAFSTRAT-Air/JFACC, and supported Combatant Commands (COCOMs). The Watch provides near real-time operational status of NC3 capabilities at selected Air Force NC3 System Nodes (AN3SN) to establish and maintain communications associated with nuclear operations.

Support Division (DOS): The Support Division focuses on logistical support to the JFACC and tasked units. Support involves maintaining support plans and Time Phased Force Deployment Data to guide USSTRATCOM-tasked units from pre-generation through the post-strike timeline. The Support Division also executes communications support to the JNOC and the commander’s support staff duties.

Strategic Mission Division (SMD): The Strategic Mission Division is responsible for the verification, validation, and transmission of bomber mission data within established timelines.

Unit History

The JNOC was activated Oct. 15, 2018. It is comprised of the inactivated 608th Strategic Operations Squadron (STOS)/Task Force 204 (TF-204) focusing on bomber and reconnaissance operations and the operations center from the former Task Force 214 (TF-214) focusing on ICBM operations. The newly formed JNOC inherited the former TF-214’s duties and responsibilities to observe, report, and track on the status of the ICBM missile fields spanning across three missile wings. The JNOC was formed under the J-GSOC working for the AFGSC commander in his role as the AFSTRAT-Air/JFACC commander.

The 608th STOS was activated on Barksdale Air Force Base, La., June 4, 2004, to provide the manpower to conduct mission accomplishments and operations of TF-204. The 608 STOS was the primary organization for Eighth Air Force in providing nuclear bomber and reconnaissance global air operations and capabilities to support the USSTRATCOM commander.

The 608 STOS was originally assigned to 608th Air Operations Group, but on June 3, 2008, the unit became an independent squadron when the 608th AOG was re-designated as 608th Air and Space Operations Center. The 608th STOS was inactivated Oct. 15, 2018.

Emblem Significance

Emblem circumscribed with unbroken outer circular band with parallel inner circular band, both color of yellow denoting excellence. Excellence is expected of those charged with the readiness, safeguarding, and when directed, use of the nation’s most special weapons. Both bands symbolize focus and infilled with color of purple reflecting power and containing nomenclature and motto.

The infilling of this outer band contains yellow-colored letters reflecting alternative heritage meaning of wisdom with nomenclature of “Joint Nuclear Operations Center” at Chief (upper level) with motto in Latin of “Natione Scriptor Gladium Et Scutum Nostrum” at Base (lower level). The Latin phrase translates as “The Sword and Shield of Our Nation.”

This outer band contains the National Star on opposite sides of the band at Dexter (right) and Sinister (left) positions. The National Star is composed of colors red denoting courage with white reflecting truth.  The use of two National Stars reflects the “two person” rule in handling of nuclear weapons.

The dark background at the upper level of the emblem’s center signify the employment readiness of special weapons anytime with the color of black denoting determination.  

Four demi-pointed arrows stand for aircraft with their contrails in synchronized air operations with individual shades of these arrows representative of tradition colors of American armed services.

The partial world sphere at the emblem’s center mirrors the integrated global effects of the Joint Nuclear Operations Center with land masses colored green and ocean areas of blue. The green color indicates adaptability with color blue signifying loyalty.

A mailed fist firmly grasping an upheld sword with three lightning bolts projecting from the Dexter (right) side of the mailed fist and a single olive branch protruding from the fist’s Sinister (left) side. The sword being upheld signals vigilance, while the reverse radiation symbol echoes the nature of special weapons.

The mailed fist color of silver reflects the test of truth with the black colored highlights reflecting sophistication. The sword’s pommel alternating colors of black and gray respectively implies constancy and maturity. The red color of the three lightning bolts show boldness. The green of the olive branch show auspiciousness. The duotone colors of the upheld sword include white and gray with white standing for wisdom and gray with alternative heraldry meaning of retrospection. The red of the atomic power symbol means strength.

(Current as of January 2025)

Point of Contact

Eighth Air Force/J-GSOC Public Affairs Office; 345 Davis Ave West Suite 223; Barksdale AFB, LA 71110; DSN 331-1101 or (318) 529-1101; email: 8AF.PA.Workflow@us.af.mil