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Joint Nuclear Operations Center

U.S. Air Force Fact Sheet

Joint Nuclear Operations Center

Mission

The Joint Nuclear Operations Center (JNOC) directs and delivers Strategic Bomber, Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM), and Reconnaissance capabilities to U.S. Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM) for the 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.

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 six divisions, each serving a vital piece to the overall mission of the Center:

Bomber Division:  The Bomber Division is the focal point in the JNOC for planning, coordinating, tasking, monitoring and assessing nuclear-capable bombers and strategic weapons. The Division coordinates with USSTRATCOM, Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC), Joint-Global Strike Operations Center (J-GSOC) and subordinate organizations, synchronizing daily aircraft utilization and apportioned forces, supporting combatant commander objectives.

ICBM Division:  The ICBM Division is responsible for the monitoring and reporting of all missile field operations and activities. The ICBM Division observes, tracks and reports operational nuclear combat capability of more than 40 launch control centers and  more than 400 Minuteman III launch facilities.  The ICBM Division provides the  
commander of Air Forces Strategic-Air/Joint Forces Air Component Command (CDRAFSTRAT-Air/JFACC) and the J-GSOC commander situational awareness and expertise regarding missile field major maintenance activities, nuclear weapons convoy movements, security status, Nuclear Command, Control, Communications (NC3) 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 Global Operations Center on behalf of the
CDRAFSTRAT-Air/JFACC and the J-GSOC commander.

Reconnaissance Division: The Reconnaissance Division is the focal point in the JNOC for planning, coordinating, tasking, monitoring and assessing nuclear capable reconnaissance aircraft. The Division coordinates with USSTRATCOM, Air Combat Command, AFGSC, J-GSOC and subordinate organizations, synchronizing daily aircraft utilization and apportioned forces, supporting combatant commander objectives. The Division also reports aircraft and sensor status/locations to enhance nuclear and conventional operations in support of the AFSTRAT-Air/JFACC and USSTRATCOM commanders.

Nuclear Command and Control Division: The Nuclear Command and Control Division is a specialized command and control element responsible for the operation and monitoring of NC3 systems within the J-GSOC. The NC2 Division provides senior leaders with information and advice that enables the management and direction of USSTRATCOM bomber, ICBM, and reconnaissance forces in all phases of conflict. In addition, the division is responsible for the development and maintenance of bomber, reconnaissance and associated command post checklists to include ICBM wings.

Support Division: The Support Division focuses on logistical support to the JNOC 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: 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 recently inactivated 608th Strategic Operations Squadron/Task Force 204 focusing on bomber and reconnaissance operations and the operations center from the former Task Force 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 Joint-Global Strike Operations Center working for the AFGSC commander in his role as the AFSTRAT-Air/JFACC commander.

The 608th STOS was activated on Barksdale AFB, La., on June 4, 2004. The 608th STOS was activated to provide the manpower to conduct mission accomplishments and operations of Task Force 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 June 2019)

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