Skip to main contentSkip to main content

You have permission to edit this article.

Edit Close

JournalStar.com

67°

Read Today's E-edition

Site Search

© 2026 Lee Enterprises

Terms of Service | Privacy Policy

Site Search

JournalStar.com

News+

Where your story lives

Site Search

A Lee Enterprises, Incorporated newspaper. Majority shareholder: David Hoffmann, Hoffmann Media Group.

Subscribe

Read Today's E-edition

JournalStar.com

News+

Where your story lives

Subscribe

Share This

Do we need 'baby nukes' launched from subs? StratCom chief says yes

0 Comments

Share this

A Lee Enterprises, Incorporated newspaper. Majority shareholder: David Hoffmann, Hoffmann Media Group.

Editor's Pick Topical Alert

Do we need 'baby nukes' launched from subs? StratCom chief says yes

Richard Pentagon

Adm. Charles Richard, commander of the Offutt-based U.S. Strategic Command, brought some of the West’s top nuclear policy experts to Nebraska last week for a two-day Deterrence Symposium in La Vista.

Associated Press

Prefer us on Google Learn More

Steve Liewer Omaha World-Herald

Flights just like that have taken place for decades, since the Air Force first fielded the E-4Bs as a National Airborne Operations Center in the mid-1970s. Now, for the first time, those training flights are taking place virtually, in a newly refurbished simulator at a warehouse in La Vista.

kAmqt{{t'&t — %96 49:67 @7 ~77FEE’D &]$] $EC2E68:4 r@>>2?5 :D 92AAJ H:E9 E96 C64@C5 Sg`b]c 3:==:@? s676?D6 s6A2CE>6?E 3F586E E96 q:56? 25>:?:DEC2E:@? A:E4965 E@ r@?8C6DD 2 76H H66<D 28@]k^Am

kAmtI46AE 7@C E96 >2EE6C @7 2 76H “323J ?F<6D]”k^Am

kAmp5>] r92C=6D #:492C5 C2:D65 6J63C@HD 62C=:6C E9:D >@?E9 H96? 96 HC@E6 2 =6EE6C E@ E@A >6>36CD @7 E96 w@FD6 pC>65 $6CG:46D r@>>:EE66[ 42==:?8 @FE E96 q:56? E62> 7@C 5C@AA:?8 2 AC@A@D65 =@H\J:6=5[ D62\=2F?4965 ?F4=62C 4CF:D6 >:DD:=6[ 7:CDE AC@A@D65 5FC:?8 E96 %CF>A 25>:?:DEC2E:@?[ 7C@> k2 9C67lQ9EEADi^^@>292]4@>^?6HD^DE2E6\2?5\C68:@?2=^feg\3:==:@?\5676?D6\3:==\:?4=F56D\C2:D6D\7@C\>:=:E2CJ\7F?5:?8\7@C\@77FEE\AC@;64ED^2CE:4=6065de3``c\d7fe\``64\gb4f\_376c765ha65]9E>=Q E2C86ElQ03=2?<Qm:ED a_ab 3F586E A=2?k^2m]k^Am

People are also reading…

kAm“(9:=6 x 2> D2E:D7:65 &$$%#p%r~| AC:@C:E:6D 2C6 256BF2E6=J 255C6DD65[ E96 4FCC6?E D:EF2E:@? :? &<C2:?6 2?5 r9:?2’D ?F4=62C EC2;64E@CJ 4@?G:?46D >6 2 56E6CC6?46 2?5 2DDFC2?46 82A 6I:DED[” #:492C5 HC@E6 :? E96 pAC:= c =6EE6C E@ #6AD] p52> $>:E9 @7 (2D9:?8E@? 2?5 |:<6 #@86CD @7 p=232>2[ E96 492:C>2? 2?5 C2?<:?8 >:?@C:EJ >6>36C @7 E96 4@>>:EE66]k^Am

kAm|:=:E2CJ =6256CD 5@?’E @7E6? AF3=:4=J 4@?EC25:4E E96:C 4@>>2?56C\:?\49:67[ 6DA64:2==J @? 2? :DDF6 H:E9 A@=:E:42= @G6CE@?6D] qFE 9:D 3@DD[ v6?] |2C< |:==6J[ 492:C>2? @7 E96 y@:?E r9:67D @7 $E277[ 324<65 #:492C5 FA 2 52J =2E6C :? E6DE:>@?J 367@C6 E96 D2>6 4@>>:EE66] $@ 5:5 E96 7@FC\DE2C 9625 @7 E96 &]$] tFC@A62? r@>>2?5]k^Am

kAm“xE’D AC@323=J D276 E@ D2J :E’D F?FDF2=[” D2:5 r9C:DE@A96C *62H[ 2 E@A ?F4=62C 2?2=JDE 2E E96 &?:G6CD:EJ @7 }63C2D<2’D }2E:@?2= $EC2E68:4 #6D62C49 x?DE:EFE6]k^Am

kAm#:492C5 2D<65 r@?8C6DD E@ 7:== E96 82A H:E9 2 >:DD:=6 6BF:AA65 H:E9 2 D>2==6C 2E@>:4 H2C9625 E92E 42? 36 =2F?4965 :?G:D:3=J 7C@> 2 DF3>2C:?6]k^Am

kAm$<6AE:4D H288:D9=J 42== DF49 E24E:42=[ @C 32EE=67:6=5[ ?F4=62C H62A@?D “323J ?F<6D” 3642FD6 E96J 2C6?’E 2D A@H6C7F= 2D E96 4:EJ\56DEC@J:?8 3@>3D E92E >2<6 FA E96 &]$] 2?5 #FDD:2? 2:C\=2?5\D62 ?F4=62C EC:25]k^Am

kAm%96J 5@ A24< 6?@F89 @7 2 H2==@A[ E9@F89[ E@ 56DEC@J 2 >:=:E2CJ 32D6 @C 2 D>2== 4:EJ[ 2?5 =62G6 369:?5 2 C25:@24E:G6 96==D42A6]k^Am

kAm“(6’C6 DE:== E2=<:?8 23@FE 2 w:C@D9:>2\DEJ=6 6G6?E[” D2:5 %J=6C (9:E6[ 5:C64E@C @7 E96 &?:G6CD:EJ @7 }63C2D<2\{:?4@=?’D ?2E:@?2= D64FC:EJ AC@8C2>]k^Am

White

kAm%96 &?:E65 $E2E6D 2?5 E96 $@G:6E &?:@? 6249 7:6=565 E9@FD2?5D @7 E24E:42= ?F4=62C H62A@?D 5FC:?8 E96 r@=5 (2C[ :? 2?E:4:A2E:@? @7 7:89E:?8 2 =2?5 H2C :? tFC@A6] %96J :?4=F565 ?F4=62C\E:AA65 %@>292H< >:DD:=6D[ =2F?4923=6 7C@> 56DEC@J6CD 2?5 2EE24< DF3>2C:?6D[ 2=@?8 H:E9 4CF:D6 >:DD:=6D 2?5 2E@>:4 2CE:==6CJ D96==D]k^Am

kAmx? E96 62C=J `hh_D[ !C6D:56?E v6@C86 w](] qFD9 2?5 9:D #FDD:2? 4@F?E6CA2CED D:8?65 2 D6C:6D @7 28C66>6?ED E@ >@E932== @C 56DEC@J >@DE E24E:42= ?F4=62C H62A@?D] qFD9 2=D@ AC@>:D65 E@ 6?5 AC@5F4E:@? @7 =@?8\C2?86[ D62\=2F?4965 4CF:D6 >:DD:=6D[ 2?5 E@ ?6G6C 3F:=5 ?6H @?6D]k^Am

kAm“%96J AFE E96> :? DE@C286[ 2?5 E96J ?6G6C =67E 282:?[” D2:5 w2?D zC:DE6?D6?[ 5:C64E@C @7 E96 }F4=62C x?7@C>2E:@? !C@;64E 2E E96 u656C2E:@? @7 p>6C:42? $4:6?E:DED[ 2 5:D2C>2>6?E 25G@424J 8C@FA]k^Am

kAm%96 &]$] 92D =2C86=J DEF4< E@ E96 28C66>6?ED] #FDD:2 5:5[ E@@[ 7@C 2 H9:=6] xE DE@AA65 :? E96 a___D — 27E6C '=25:>:C !FE:? E@@< A@H6C[ 2?5 27E6C E96 &]$] 2?5 }p%~ :?E6CG6?65 282:?DE #FDD:2VD $6C3:2? 2==:6D :? E96 q2=<2?D]k^Am

kAmp7E6C 9:D 6=64E:@? :? a__g[ !C6D:56?E q2C24< ~32>2 DA@<6 >@G:?8=J @7 D@>652J 6=:>:?2E:?8 2== ?F4=62C H62A@?D[ 2 G:6H C67=64E65 :? 9:D a_`_ }F4=62C !@DEFC6 #6G:6H] %96 D2>6 J62C[ E96 &]$] 2?5 #FDD:2 C2E:7:65 E96 }6H $%p#% %C62EJ[ 42AA:?8 E96 ?F>36C @7 DEC2E68:4 H2C9625D 2E `[dd_ 7@C 6249 D:56]k^Am

kAm“!C6D:56?E ~32>2’D :?E6?E H2D E@ =625 E96 H@C=5 E@H2C5 K6C@[” *62H D2:5]k^Am

kAmqFE ?@ ?6H EC62EJ 4@G6C65 323J ?F<6D]k^Am

kAm%96 !6?E28@? 56DEC@J65 E96 =2DE @7 E96 }2GJ’D r@=5 (2C\6C2 D62\=2F?4965 %@>292H<D 23@FE `_ J62CD 28@] %96? &]$]\#FDD:2 C6=2E:@?D 4FC5=65 :? E96 H2<6 @7 #FDD:2?\324<65 >:=:E2CJ 24E:@?D :? v6@C8:2[ |@=5@G2 2?5 &<C2:?6]k^Am

kAm%96 A:4EFC6 925 52C<6?65 4@?D:56C23=J 3J E96 E:>6 !C6D:56?E s@?2=5 %CF>A =2F?4965 9:D ?F4=62C C6G:6H] !FE:? 925 AF==65 @FE @7 2 >2;@C 2C>D 28C66>6?E] w6 3682? C2A:5=J FA8C25:?8 #FDD:2’D $@G:6E\6C2 2CD6?2= 2?5 2??@F?465 A=2?D E@ 3F:=5 D6G6C2= ?6H ?F4=62C H62A@? DJDE6>D]k^Am

kAm“qJ a_`g[ E9:?8D 5:5?’E =@@< D@ 36?:8?] *@F C62==J 925 2 568C252E:@? @7 E96 :?E6C?2E:@?2= 6?G:C@?>6?E[” D2:5 *62H[ @?6 @7 E96 2FE9@CD @7 E92E J62C’D }F4=62C !@DEFC6 #6G:6H] “(6 C62==J 76=E H6 925 E@ C64E:7J >2EE6CD]”k^Am

kAm(:E9 2 a_\` 25G2?E286 :? E24E:42= ?F4=62C H62A@?D :? tFC@A6[ #FDD:2 >256 FD6 @7 32EE=67:6=5 ?F<6D 2 A2CE @7 :ED DEC2E68J] !FE:? 42=4F=2E65 E96 &]$] H@F=5?’E C:D< pC>28655@? 3J =2F?49:?8 @?6 @7 :ED 3:8 4:EJ\<:==:?8 3@>3D :? C6E2=:2E:@? 7@C 2 =:>:E65 DEC:<6]k^Am

Listen now and subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS Feed | SoundStack | All Of Our Podcasts

kAm“#FDD:2 92D :?G6DE65 2 =@E :? E96D6 =@H\J:6=5 ?F4=62C H62A@?D[” D2:5 }63C2D<2 #6A] s@? q24@?[ H9@ D6CG6D @? E96 pC>65 $6CG:46D r@>>:EE66] “xE’D :? E96:C 5@4EC:?6[ ‘tD42=2E6 E@ 566D42=2E6]’ &D6 :E[ 2?5 WE96 &]$]X H:== 324< @77]”k^Am

Bacon

kAm%@ 4@F?E6C E92E E9C62E *62H 2?5 9:D 4@\2FE9@CD :?4=F565 EH@ ?6H EJA6D @7 E24E:42= ?F4=62C H62A@?D :? E96 &]$] 2CD6?2=i E96 (fe\a %C:56?E DF3>2C:?6 H2C9625[ 2?5 E96 $62\{2F?4965 rCF:D6 |:DD:=6\}F4=62C — <?@H? 2D ${r|\}[ @C “$=:4<\’6>]”k^Am

kAm%96 (fe\a H2D BF:4< 2?5 62DJ E@ 56A=@J] xE D:>A=J :?G@=G65 AFEE:?8 2 D>2==6C H2C9625 @? 2? 6I:DE:?8 %C:56?E >:DD:=6 2?5 56A=@J:?8 :E @? E96 D2>6 ~9:@\4=2DD DF3>2C:?6D :? A=246 @7 E96 =2C86C >:DD:=6]k^Am

kAm%96 ${r|\}[ E9@F89[ C6BF:C6D 2 3C2?5\?6H 56D:8? 7@C 3@E9 E96 >:DD:=6 2?5 E96 H2C9625] %96 AC@8C2> :D DE:== :? :ED :?72?4J] tG6? :7 r@?8C6DD >@G6D 29625[ :E H:== ?@E 36 C625J 7@C 56A=@J>6?E 367@C6 E96 a_b_D]k^Am

kAm“xE’D 366? 7F?565 2D D@CE @7 2 DEF5J AC@;64E 7@C 2 4@FA=6 @7 J62CD] qFE E96J’C6 ?@E 36?5:?8 :C@? J6E[” zC:DE6?D6? D2:5]k^Am

Watch now: Offutt E-4B unit opens first flight simulator for aging 'Doomsday' jets
Standing Sentinel: StratCom's new nukes get a name

kAmq24@? 36=:6G6D 56G6=@A:?8 E96 H62A@?D 8:G6D &]$] >:=:E2CJ 4@>>2?56CD 2 E@@= E96J ?665[ 2?5 D6?5D 2? :>A@CE2?E >6DD286]k^Am

kAm“xE 4@>>F?:42E6D E@ #FDD:2 E92E H6 42? 5@ E96 D2>6 E9:?8[” q24@? D2:5] “(6’C6 ?@E ECJ:?8 E@ 6BF2= H92E E96J’G6 8@E] (6’C6 ;FDE ECJ:?8 E@ 4@F?E6C E96:C E9C62E]”k^Am

kAm$E:==[ @FED:56 E96 H@C=5 @7 ?F4=62C 56E6CC6?46 E96@CJ[ :E 42? 36 92C5 E@ 72E9@> H9J E96 &]$] — H:E9 >@C6 E92? b[f__ 2E@>:4 H62A@?D :? :ED DE@4<A:=6[ 244@C5:?8 E@ zC:DE6?D6?’D 42=4F=2E:@?D — ?665D E@ C64C62E6 2 EJA6 :E 92D?’E C6BF:C65 7@C E96 A2DE b_ J62CD]k^Am

kAm“(6’G6 925 @G6CH96=>:?8 42A23:=:EJ 7@C 564256D[ 2?5 H6’C6 DE:== 8@:?8 E@ 92G6 @G6CH96=>:?8 42A23:=:EJ[” zC:DE6?D6? D2:5] “(9J E96 D<J :D DF556?=J 72==:?8[ x 5@?’E <?@H]”k^Am

kAmw6 2?5 (9:E6 36=:6G6 E96 &]$] 4@F=5 >66E 2 E24E:42= ?F4=62C DEC:<6 H:E9 2 A@H6C7F= ?@?\?F4=62C 4@F?E6CAF?49] p?5 E96 F?:7:65 tFC@A62? C6DA@?D6 E@ #FDD:2’D :?G2D:@? @7 &<C2:?6 D9@HD E96 G2=F6 @7 DEC@?8 2==:6D]k^Am

kAm“s@ H6 ?665 E@ 4@>6 FA H:E9 H9@=6 ?6H ?F4=62C H62A@?Dn x 5@?’E D66 E96 42D6 7@C :E[” (9:E6 D2:5] “w2G:?8 2 C62==J 7@C>:523=6 4@?G6?E:@?2= 42A23:=:EJ :D 2 3:886C 56E6CC6?E] }p%~ :D 2 56E6CC6?E]”k^Am

kAmtG6? :? E96 AC@8C6DD:G6 H:?8 @7 E96 s6>@4C2E:4 A2CEJ[ E96C6’D 366? =:EE=6 AFD9324< 282:?DE E96 8C@H:?8 5676?D6 3F586E — 6I46AE 7@C DA6?5:?8 @? ?F4=62C H62A@?D]k^Am

kAm$E:==[ !C6D:56?E q:56? 92D >@DE=J DEF4< H:E9 E96 3:A2CE:D2? 4@>>:E>6?E E@ C63F:=5:?8 p>6C:42’D 2865 ?F<6D] w:D a_ab 3=F6AC:?E AC@A@D6D Sd_]h 3:==:@? :? 7F?5:?8 7@C $EC2Er@>’D 2CD6?2= WSf]f 3:==:@? >@C6 E92? =2DE J62CX[ :?4=F5:?8 Sbc]c 3:==:@? E@ >@56C?:K6 @=5 H62A@?D]k^Am

Offutt clears 2,600 tons of rubble following catastrophic 2019 flooding

kAm$:?46 E2<:?8 4@>>2?5 @7 $EC2Er@> :? a_`h[ #:492C5 92D DEC6DD65 E96 ?665 E@ AFD9 29625 H:E9 E96 C63F:=5] #FDD:2[ 96 92D H2C?65[ :D D6G6C2= J62CD 29625 :? :ED >@56C?:K2E:@? AFD9[ 2?5 E96 5:D4@G6CJ =2DE J62C E92E k2 9C67lQ9EEADi^^@>292]4@>^?6HD^=@42=^D9@F=5\DEC2E4@>\H@CCJ\23@FE\49:?2D\3@F?4J\42DE=6D\@7\562E9^2CE:4=60eec_h22c\6g43\``63\2f_6\b3h_57g3fd2f]9E>=Q E2C86ElQ03=2?<Qmr9:?2 :D 3F:=5:?8 9F?5C65D @7 >:DD:=6 D:=@Dk^2m :? :ED ?@CE96C? 56D6CE @?=J 255D FC86?4J]k^Am

kAm“p?J 5:DCFAE:@?D E@ AC@8C2>>65 7F?5:?8 H:== ]]] :?4C62D6 DEC2E68:4 C:D< E@ E96 }2E:@?[” #:492C5 HC@E6 :? 9:D =6EE6C E@ E96 w@FD6 4@>>:EE66 =6256CD]k^Am

kAm(9:E6 24<?@H=65865 #FDD:2’D :?G2D:@? @7 &<C2:?6 92D >256 @AA@D:E:@? E@ ?F4=62C DA6?5:?8 2 92C5 A@=:E:42= D6== C:89E ?@H]k^Am

kAm“r@?8C6DD 92D ?6G6C 366? D9J[ E9C@H:?8 >@?6J 2E D2G:?8 E96D6 DJDE6>D[” 96 D2:5] “x7 E96 25>:?:DEC2E:@? :D 8@:?8 E@ >2<6 2 4@F?E6C\AC@=:76C2E:@? 2C8F>6?E[ E96J’C6 DH:>>:?8 FADEC62>]”k^Am

kAmq24@? :D >@C6 4@?7:56?E E92? 6G6C E92E #6AF3=:42?D 2?5 46?EC:DE s6>@4C2ED H:== F?:E6 E@ 86E #:492C5 E96 ?F4=62C 7F?5:?8 96 H2?ED 7@C $EC2Er@> — :?4=F5:?8 E96 “$=:4<\’6>D]”k^Am

kAm“(6 92G6 H@? 6G6CJ ?F4=62C 5632E6[ 6G6? E9@F89 H6’C6 :? E96 >:?@C:EJ[” 96 D2:5] “x E9:?< H6’== 6?5 FA AC6G2:=:?8]”k^Am

Photos: Offutt Air Force Base through the years

THE WORLD-HERALD

The area now known as Offutt Air Force Base was first commissioned as Fort Crook, an Army post to house cavalry soldiers and their horses. This photo, circa 1905, shows mounted officers and infantry troops assembling on the parade ground. The officers' quarters in the background still stand today, but the closing of Offutt's stables in 2010 ended the base's equine tradition.

THE WORLD-HERALD

Painter Frank Anania places the final bolt in the SAC emblem, newly placed on the command building at Strategic Air Command headquarters. After the command was created in 1946, SAC headquarters were moved from Andrews Field, Maryland, to Offutt Air Force Base. SAC's high-flying reconnaissance planes and bombers would go on to play a global role from the onset of the Cold War through the last bomb of the Persian Gulf War.

THE WORLD-HERALD

The Strategic Air Command "nerve center" gets a new headquarters building at Offutt Air Force Base.

THE WORLD-HERALD

Even since the late 1950s, Strategic Air Command has been holding open house events at Offutt Air Force Base to display and demonstrate aircraft for civilian visitors. Each year, the open house and air show at Offutt features aerial acts or reenactments, static displays, and booths showcasing military history and capabilities. 

KEN ZIMMERMAN/OMAHA WORLD-HERALD

The first SAC museum consisted of a section of abandoned runway near the north edge of Offutt Air Force Base outside of Bellevue. However, the outdoor display left the aircraft vulnerable to the elements.

OMAHA WORLD-HERALD

A Royal Air Force bomber crashes at Offutt Air Force Base. Beginning in the late 1950s, the RAF maintained small detachment and service facility for Vulcan bomber planes at Offutt, often participating in defense exercises and demonstrations at the base until their retirement and deactivation in 1982. This plane crashed at take-off at the northwest end of the main runway and then slid across Highway 73-75. All seven passengers survived. 

OMAHA WORLD-HERALD

Just weeks after the Cuban missile crisis, President John F. Kennedy visits Offutt Air Force Base, accompanied by Gen. Thomas Power of Strategic Air Command, right.

JOHN SAVAGE/OMAHA WORLD-HERALD

Actor Rock Hudson receives a B-52 bomber briefing during a visit to Omaha and Offutt Air Force Base. He began filming "A Gathering of Eagles" in May of that year.

U.S. AIR FORCE

An early photograph of the Ehrling Bergquist military medical clinic in Bellevue. The clinic has served Offutt Air Force Base since 1966 and was remodeled in 2013, including a grand staircase, larger physical therapy and mental health areas, and a more private mammography waiting area. 

U.S. AIR FORCE

The world's largest aircraft at that time, the C5 Galaxy was displayed as part of the open house for civilian visitors at Offutt Air Force Base.

CHRIS YOUNG/OMAHA WORLD-HERALD

A conference room in the SAC underground command post at Offutt Air Force Base. Strategic Air Command would be formally disestablished in 1992, but Offutt would remain the headquarters for the new United States Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM).

JAMES R. BURNETT/OMAHA WORLD-HERALD

The Strategic Air Command Memorial Chapel holds a Sunday morning service as a reminder of those who have given their service and those who have died during the Command's 46-year history. Founded in in 1946, the command was dissolved in a ceremony at Offutt Air Force Base.

RICH JANDA/OMAHA WORLD-HERALD

OPPD worker Craig Azure of Ashland holds a power line up across Platteview Road near Highway 50 so that an Albatross airplane can fit under it. After SAC was dissolved, the museum moved into a new indoor facility in 1998. Airplanes were moved from their old location at Offutt Air Force Base to their new and current home near Mahoney State Park off I-80. 

PHIL JOHNSON/OMAHA WORLD-HERALD

The parade grounds gazebo at Offutt is dedicated in honor of Airman 1st Class Warren T. Willis, who was killed in an aircraft accident the previous December. 

BILL BATSON/OMAHA WORLD-HERALD

President Bill Clinton speaks at a rally at Offutt Air Force Base.

BILL BATSON/OMAHA WORLD-HERALD

More than 300 anti-nuclear protesters gather outside Kinney Gate at Offutt Air Force Base. The rally was part of a weekend of protest against nuclear weapons, and was organized in response to an extensive nuclear arsenal review being held at the base.

RUDY SMITH/OMAHA WORLD-HERALD

Vice President Dick Cheney greets service men and women following a speech at Offutt Air Force Base's Minuteman missile in Bellevue.

LAURA INNS/OMAHA WORLD-HERALD

Dignitaries clap along to an armed forces medley as ground is broken for the new U. S. Strategic Command Headquarters at Offutt Air Force Base. From left: Neb. Rep. Adrian Smith, Rep. Lee Terry, Neb. Governor Dave Heineman, General C. Robert Kehler, Commander USStratcom, Sen. Ben Nelson, Rep. Jeff Fortenberry, and Mayor of Bellevue, Rita Sanders.

KENT SIEVERS/THE WORLD-HERALD

Chris Shotton created this thank you message to the airmen and troops flying in and out of Offutt Air Force Base. Employees of area Walmart stores have been writing giant messages in fields near Highway 370 for years.

KENT SIEVERS/THE WORLD-HERALD

Senior Airman Kevin Chapman works the desk at the new Public Health Clinic located in the Ehrling Bergquist military medical clinic.

RYAN SODERLIN/THE WORLD-HERALD

The new MERLIN SS200m Aircraft Birdstrike Avoidance Radar System, with the control tower in the background, photographed at Offutt Air Force Base. The system was moved here from Afghanistan in order to help detect large flocks and prevent damages to aircraft from bids, which cost the Air Force millions of dollars each year.

CHRIS MACHIAN/THE WORLD-HERALD

An aerial photo from late February of the construction site for StratCom's new $1.2 billion headquarters at Offutt Air Force Base. Despite numerous delays and setbacks, the building would be completed in 2018, six years after construction began. StratCom would then spend the next year outfitting the structure with more than $600 million worth of high-tech communications and security gear.

U.S. STRATEGIC COMMAND

President Barack Obama arrives in Omaha after landing at Offutt Air Force Base. While in Omaha, Obama met with the family of Kerrie Orozco, visited a local teacher, and addressed a crowd of about 8,000 at Baxter Arena.

MATT MILLER/THE WORLD-HERALD

This year, U.S. Strategic Command unveiled a new Command and Control Facility located at Offutt Air Force Base. The "battle deck," shown here, features computer workstations, soundproofing, and the ability to connect instantly to the White House and Pentagon.

RYAN SODERLIN/THE WORLD-HERALD

Luke Thomas and Air Force Tech Sgt. Vanessa Vidaurre look at a flooded portion of Offutt Air Force Base in 2019.

OMAHA WORLD-HERALD FILE PHOTO

An OC-135B taxies after it lands at the Lincoln Airport on Feb. 1. The Air Force's 55th Wing is relocating to Lincoln while Offutt's runway is reconstructed.

GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star

A temporary hangar was erected to help house the Air Force's 55th Wing from Offutt at the Lincoln Airport. 

GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star

Crew members work around an OC-135B, the first plane from Offutt's fleet to land at the Lincoln Airport on Feb. 1. The Air Force's 55th Wing is relocating to Lincoln while Offutt's runway is reconstructed. 

GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star

0 Comments

Love

0

Funny

0

Wow

0

Sad

0

Angry

0

Be the first to know

Get local news delivered to your inbox!

Sign up!

* I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy.

Related to this story

Lincoln bystander latest to sue for being shot by rubber bullet during 2020 protest

"The plaintiff was an innocent bystander, not engaged in any of the ongoing protest activities located at or near the U-Stop. The plaintiff wa…

Nebraska-born sailor, 17, who died at Pearl Harbor to be buried Friday in Hawaii

No close relatives of Walter Pentico, of Lexington, are still living. Both of his brothers served in the Army during World War II, but Pentico…

UNL researcher finds common virus associated with eye cancer

A team led by a UNL researcher has reported the first clear evidence of a strong association between a type of eye cancer and Epstein-Barr virus.

Report: Air Force made 'reasonable' choice choosing Huntsville over Offutt for SpaceCom HQ

The Air Force Inspector General blacked out evaluators' scores and comments about the six finalists, but the magazine Breaking Defense reporte…

Nebraska's lone astronaut returns home to head SAC Museum

Nearly a decade after retiring from NASA, Ashland native and astronaut Clayton Anderson has become president and CEO of the Strategic Air Comm…

Air Force Global Strike chief tabbed to be next StratCom leader

A 36-year Air Force missile and space officer has been nominated as the next commander of Offutt-based U.S. Strategic Command, the Pentagon announced.

US seeks to scrap biggest nuke in StratCom's arsenal

Nebraska Sen. Deb Fischer took action to block retirement of the aging "city buster" B83 gravity bomb until the Pentagon comes up with a replacement.

Watch now: For $550K, a Cold War-era missile silo in Nebraska could be yours

Home is where the history is. A Cold War missile complex west of York, featuring a two-story command center and 174-deep silo that once held t…

Watch Now: Related Video

Dan Walter speaks on Third City Christian Church expansion

Trump Asks Google CEO To Rename Atlantic Ocean On Maps

Trump Asks Google CEO To Rename Atlantic Ocean On Maps

Eric Dunning, director of the Nebraska Department of Insurance speaks at ribbon cutting for Medica

Eric Dunning, director of the Nebraska Department of Insurance speaks at ribbon cutting for Medica

Denver Archbishop James Golka Prays Over President Trump

Denver Archbishop James Golka Prays Over President Trump

Close

Richard Pentagon

Adm. Charles Richard, commander of the Offutt-based U.S. Strategic Command, brought some of the West’s top nuclear policy experts to Nebraska last week for a two-day Deterrence Symposium in La Vista.

White

Bacon

×

JournalStar.com

Prefer us on Google Learn More

Sites & Partners

Services

© Copyright 2026 The Lincoln Journal Star, PO Box 81609 Lincoln, NE 68501

A Lee Enterprises, Incorporated newspaper. Majority shareholder: David Hoffmann, Hoffmann Media Group.

Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Advertising Terms of Use | Privacy Choices | Cookie Preferences

Powered by BLOX Content Management System from bloxdigital.com.

{{title}}

{{summary}}

You don't have any notifications.

Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device.

Topics

News Alerts

Subscribe

Breaking News

Subscribe

Husker News

Subscribe

VisaMastercardAmerican ExpressDiscoverJCBDiners ClubCredit CardCredit Card

Back ×

Offer

Sorry, an error occurred.

Already Subscribed!

Get StartedManage Service

Cancel anytime

You are logged in

 Switch accounts

Secure transaction. Cancel anytime. Have an account? Log In

Back ×

Sign Up

Account processing issue - the email address may already exist

User information

Username (Optional)

This is the name that will be displayed next to your photo for comments, blog posts, and more. Choose wisely!

* First name

* Last name

* Email Address

Your email address will be used to confirm your account. We won't share it with anyone else.

* Password

Must be at least 8 characters, not contain repeating characters (e.g., 111), and not contain sequential numbers (e.g., 123).

Create a password that only you will remember. If you forget it, you'll be able to recover it using your email address.

* Confirm Password

Confirm your password.

CAPTCHA

Create Account

or

Sign up with

Facebook Google

Have an account? Log In

×

You're all set!

Thank you .

Your account has been registered, and you are now logged in.

Check your email for details.

OK

Back ×

Log In

Invalid password or account does not exist

Email Address

Password

Remember me

Forgot your password?

Log In

Email me a log in link

or

Sign in with

Facebook Google

Admin login Subscribe

Need an account? Sign Up

Back ×

Reset Password

Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password.

Email or Screen Name

CAPTCHA

Reset Password

×

Forgot Password

An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the email address listed on your account.

Back ×

Email me a log in link

Account Email

CAPTCHA

Send Email

Back ×

Promotional Offers

Promo code

Enter Promo Code

Redeem

No promotional rates found.

Back ×

Purchase Gift Purchase Access

See More Offers

details close

×

An error occurred

×

Secure & Encrypted

Sign in with

Email Address

Continue with Email Address

or

Continue with Facebook Continue with Google

What's your email address?

Email

Password

Confirm password

Must be at least 8 characters, not contain repeating characters (e.g., 111), and not contain sequential numbers (e.g., 123).

What's your name?

First name

Last name

Who is this gift for?

Recipient name

Recipient email

Optional message for the recipient

Who is this gift from?

Purchaser name

Purchaser email

Purchaser zip code

Delivery date

Delivery date

What's your billing location?

Address

City

State AlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonWashington D.C.West VirginiaWisconsinWyomingPuerto RicoUS Virgin IslandsArmed Forces AmericasArmed Forces PacificArmed Forces EuropeNorthern Mariana IslandsMarshall IslandsAmerican SamoaFederated States of MicronesiaGuamPalauAlberta, CanadaBritish Columbia, CanadaManitoba, CanadaNew Brunswick, CanadaNewfoundland, CanadaNova Scotia, CanadaNorthwest Territories, CanadaNunavut, CanadaOntario, CanadaPrince Edward Island, CanadaQuebec, CanadaSaskatchewan, CanadaYukon Territory, Canada

Zip Code

Country United States of AmericaUS Virgin IslandsUnited States Minor Outlying IslandsCanadaMexico, United Mexican StatesBahamas, Commonwealth of theCuba, Republic ofDominican RepublicHaiti, Republic ofJamaicaAfghanistanAlbania, People's Socialist Republic ofAlgeria, People's Democratic Republic ofAmerican SamoaAndorra, Principality ofAngola, Republic ofAnguillaAntarctica (the territory South of 60 deg S)Antigua and BarbudaArgentina, Argentine RepublicArmeniaArubaAustralia, Commonwealth ofAustria, Republic ofAzerbaijan, Republic ofBahrain, Kingdom ofBangladesh, People's Republic ofBarbadosBelarusBelgium, Kingdom ofBelizeBenin, People's Republic ofBermudaBhutan, Kingdom ofBolivia, Republic ofBosnia and HerzegovinaBotswana, Republic ofBouvet Island (Bouvetoya)Brazil, Federative Republic ofBritish Indian Ocean Territory (Chagos Archipelago)British Virgin IslandsBrunei DarussalamBulgaria, People's Republic ofBurkina FasoBurundi, Republic ofCambodia, Kingdom ofCameroon, United Republic ofCape Verde, Republic ofCayman IslandsCentral African RepublicChad, Republic ofChile, Republic ofChina, People's Republic ofChristmas IslandCocos (Keeling) IslandsColombia, Republic ofComoros, Union of theCongo, Democratic Republic ofCongo, People's Republic ofCook IslandsCosta Rica, Republic ofCote D'Ivoire, Ivory Coast, Republic of theCyprus, Republic ofCzech RepublicDenmark, Kingdom ofDjibouti, Republic ofDominica, Commonwealth ofEcuador, Republic ofEgypt, Arab Republic ofEl Salvador, Republic ofEquatorial Guinea, Republic ofEritreaEstoniaEthiopiaFaeroe IslandsFalkland Islands (Malvinas)Fiji, Republic of the Fiji IslandsFinland, Republic ofFrance, French RepublicFrench GuianaFrench PolynesiaFrench Southern TerritoriesGabon, Gabonese RepublicGambia, Republic of theGeorgiaGermanyGhana, Republic ofGibraltarGreece, Hellenic RepublicGreenlandGrenadaGuadaloupeGuamGuatemala, Republic ofGuinea, Revolutionary People's Rep'c ofGuinea-Bissau, Republic ofGuyana, Republic ofHeard and McDonald IslandsHoly See (Vatican City State)Honduras, Republic ofHong Kong, Special Administrative Region of ChinaHrvatska (Croatia)Hungary, Hungarian People's RepublicIceland, Republic ofIndia, Republic ofIndonesia, Republic ofIran, Islamic Republic ofIraq, Republic ofIrelandIsrael, State ofItaly, Italian RepublicJapanJordan, Hashemite Kingdom ofKazakhstan, Republic ofKenya, Republic ofKiribati, Republic ofKorea, Democratic People's Republic ofKorea, Republic ofKuwait, State ofKyrgyz RepublicLao People's Democratic RepublicLatviaLebanon, Lebanese RepublicLesotho, Kingdom ofLiberia, Republic ofLibyan Arab JamahiriyaLiechtenstein, Principality ofLithuaniaLuxembourg, Grand Duchy ofMacao, Special Administrative Region of ChinaMacedonia, the former Yugoslav Republic ofMadagascar, Republic ofMalawi, Republic ofMalaysiaMaldives, Republic ofMali, Republic ofMalta, Republic ofMarshall IslandsMartiniqueMauritania, Islamic Republic ofMauritiusMayotteMicronesia, Federated States ofMoldova, Republic ofMonaco, Principality ofMongolia, Mongolian People's RepublicMontserratMorocco, Kingdom ofMozambique, People's Republic ofMyanmarNamibiaNauru, Republic ofNepal, Kingdom ofNetherlands AntillesNetherlands, Kingdom of theNew CaledoniaNew ZealandNicaragua, Republic ofNiger, Republic of theNigeria, Federal Republic ofNiue, Republic ofNorfolk IslandNorthern Mariana IslandsNorway, Kingdom ofOman, Sultanate ofPakistan, Islamic Republic ofPalauPalestinian Territory, OccupiedPanama, Republic ofPapua New GuineaParaguay, Republic ofPeru, Republic ofPhilippines, Republic of thePitcairn IslandPoland, Polish People's RepublicPortugal, Portuguese RepublicPuerto RicoQatar, State ofReunionRomania, Socialist Republic ofRussian FederationRwanda, Rwandese RepublicSamoa, Independent State ofSan Marino, Republic ofSao Tome and Principe, Democratic Republic ofSaudi Arabia, Kingdom ofSenegal, Republic ofSerbia and MontenegroSeychelles, Republic ofSierra Leone, Republic ofSingapore, Republic ofSlovakia (Slovak Republic)SloveniaSolomon IslandsSomalia, Somali RepublicSouth Africa, Republic ofSouth Georgia and the South Sandwich IslandsSpain, Spanish StateSri Lanka, Democratic Socialist Republic ofSt. HelenaSt. Kitts and NevisSt. LuciaSt. Pierre and MiquelonSt. Vincent and the GrenadinesSudan, Democratic Republic of theSuriname, Republic ofSvalbard & Jan Mayen IslandsSwaziland, Kingdom ofSweden, Kingdom ofSwitzerland, Swiss ConfederationSyrian Arab RepublicTaiwan, Province of ChinaTajikistanTanzania, United Republic ofThailand, Kingdom ofTimor-Leste, Democratic Republic ofTogo, Togolese RepublicTokelau (Tokelau Islands)Tonga, Kingdom ofTrinidad and Tobago, Republic ofTunisia, Republic ofTurkey, Republic ofTurkmenistanTurks and Caicos IslandsTuvaluUganda, Republic ofUkraineUnited Arab EmiratesUnited Kingdom of Great Britain & N. IrelandUruguay, Eastern Republic ofUzbekistanVanuatuVenezuela, Bolivarian Republic ofViet Nam, Socialist Republic ofWallis and Futuna IslandsWestern SaharaYemenZambia, Republic ofZimbabwe

What's your delivery address?

Copy billing location

Address

City

State AlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonWashington D.C.West VirginiaWisconsinWyomingPuerto RicoUS Virgin IslandsArmed Forces AmericasArmed Forces PacificArmed Forces EuropeNorthern Mariana IslandsMarshall IslandsAmerican SamoaFederated States of MicronesiaGuamPalauAlberta, CanadaBritish Columbia, CanadaManitoba, CanadaNew Brunswick, CanadaNewfoundland, CanadaNova Scotia, CanadaNorthwest Territories, CanadaNunavut, CanadaOntario, CanadaPrince Edward Island, CanadaQuebec, CanadaSaskatchewan, CanadaYukon Territory, Canada

Zip code

Country

United States of AmericaUS Virgin IslandsUnited States Minor Outlying IslandsCanadaMexico, United Mexican StatesBahamas, Commonwealth of theCuba, Republic ofDominican RepublicHaiti, Republic ofJamaicaAfghanistanAlbania, People's Socialist Republic ofAlgeria, People's Democratic Republic ofAmerican SamoaAndorra, Principality ofAngola, Republic ofAnguillaAntarctica (the territory South of 60 deg S)Antigua and BarbudaArgentina, Argentine RepublicArmeniaArubaAustralia, Commonwealth ofAustria, Republic ofAzerbaijan, Republic ofBahrain, Kingdom ofBangladesh, People's Republic ofBarbadosBelarusBelgium, Kingdom ofBelizeBenin, People's Republic ofBermudaBhutan, Kingdom ofBolivia, Republic ofBosnia and HerzegovinaBotswana, Republic ofBouvet Island (Bouvetoya)Brazil, Federative Republic ofBritish Indian Ocean Territory (Chagos Archipelago)British Virgin IslandsBrunei DarussalamBulgaria, People's Republic ofBurkina FasoBurundi, Republic ofCambodia, Kingdom ofCameroon, United Republic ofCape Verde, Republic ofCayman IslandsCentral African RepublicChad, Republic ofChile, Republic ofChina, People's Republic ofChristmas IslandCocos (Keeling) IslandsColombia, Republic ofComoros, Union of theCongo, Democratic Republic ofCongo, People's Republic ofCook IslandsCosta Rica, Republic ofCote D'Ivoire, Ivory Coast, Republic of theCyprus, Republic ofCzech RepublicDenmark, Kingdom ofDjibouti, Republic ofDominica, Commonwealth ofEcuador, Republic ofEgypt, Arab Republic ofEl Salvador, Republic ofEquatorial Guinea, Republic ofEritreaEstoniaEthiopiaFaeroe IslandsFalkland Islands (Malvinas)Fiji, Republic of the Fiji IslandsFinland, Republic ofFrance, French RepublicFrench GuianaFrench PolynesiaFrench Southern TerritoriesGabon, Gabonese RepublicGambia, Republic of theGeorgiaGermanyGhana, Republic ofGibraltarGreece, Hellenic RepublicGreenlandGrenadaGuadaloupeGuamGuatemala, Republic ofGuinea, Revolutionary People's Rep'c ofGuinea-Bissau, Republic ofGuyana, Republic ofHeard and McDonald IslandsHoly See (Vatican City State)Honduras, Republic ofHong Kong, Special Administrative Region of ChinaHrvatska (Croatia)Hungary, Hungarian People's RepublicIceland, Republic ofIndia, Republic ofIndonesia, Republic ofIran, Islamic Republic ofIraq, Republic ofIrelandIsrael, State ofItaly, Italian RepublicJapanJordan, Hashemite Kingdom ofKazakhstan, Republic ofKenya, Republic ofKiribati, Republic ofKorea, Democratic People's Republic ofKorea, Republic ofKuwait, State ofKyrgyz RepublicLao People's Democratic RepublicLatviaLebanon, Lebanese RepublicLesotho, Kingdom ofLiberia, Republic ofLibyan Arab JamahiriyaLiechtenstein, Principality ofLithuaniaLuxembourg, Grand Duchy ofMacao, Special Administrative Region of ChinaMacedonia, the former Yugoslav Republic ofMadagascar, Republic ofMalawi, Republic ofMalaysiaMaldives, Republic ofMali, Republic ofMalta, Republic ofMarshall IslandsMartiniqueMauritania, Islamic Republic ofMauritiusMayotteMicronesia, Federated States ofMoldova, Republic ofMonaco, Principality ofMongolia, Mongolian People's RepublicMontserratMorocco, Kingdom ofMozambique, People's Republic ofMyanmarNamibiaNauru, Republic ofNepal, Kingdom ofNetherlands AntillesNetherlands, Kingdom of theNew CaledoniaNew ZealandNicaragua, Republic ofNiger, Republic of theNigeria, Federal Republic ofNiue, Republic ofNorfolk IslandNorthern Mariana IslandsNorway, Kingdom ofOman, Sultanate ofPakistan, Islamic Republic ofPalauPalestinian Territory, OccupiedPanama, Republic ofPapua New GuineaParaguay, Republic ofPeru, Republic ofPhilippines, Republic of thePitcairn IslandPoland, Polish People's RepublicPortugal, Portuguese RepublicPuerto RicoQatar, State ofReunionRomania, Socialist Republic ofRussian FederationRwanda, Rwandese RepublicSamoa, Independent State ofSan Marino, Republic ofSao Tome and Principe, Democratic Republic ofSaudi Arabia, Kingdom ofSenegal, Republic ofSerbia and MontenegroSeychelles, Republic ofSierra Leone, Republic ofSingapore, Republic ofSlovakia (Slovak Republic)SloveniaSolomon IslandsSomalia, Somali RepublicSouth Africa, Republic ofSouth Georgia and the South Sandwich IslandsSpain, Spanish StateSri Lanka, Democratic Socialist Republic ofSt. HelenaSt. Kitts and NevisSt. LuciaSt. Pierre and MiquelonSt. Vincent and the GrenadinesSudan, Democratic Republic of theSuriname, Republic ofSvalbard & Jan Mayen IslandsSwaziland, Kingdom ofSweden, Kingdom ofSwitzerland, Swiss ConfederationSyrian Arab RepublicTaiwan, Province of ChinaTajikistanTanzania, United Republic ofThailand, Kingdom ofTimor-Leste, Democratic Republic ofTogo, Togolese RepublicTokelau (Tokelau Islands)Tonga, Kingdom ofTrinidad and Tobago, Republic ofTunisia, Republic ofTurkey, Republic ofTurkmenistanTurks and Caicos IslandsTuvaluUganda, Republic ofUkraineUnited Arab EmiratesUnited Kingdom of Great Britain & N. IrelandUruguay, Eastern Republic ofUzbekistanVanuatuVenezuela, Bolivarian Republic ofViet Nam, Socialist Republic ofWallis and Futuna IslandsWestern SaharaYemenZambia, Republic ofZimbabwe

Phone

Purchase detail

Subtotal:

Total:

How would you like to pay?

Ending in

Add New Card

American Express Discover Mastercard Visa JCB Diners Club Credit Card Credit Card

Terms of service confirmation

I Agree to the Subscription Terms of Use.
This service will be automatically renewed and your credit card billed once it nears expiration.

Secure transaction. Secure transaction. Cancel anytime.

×

You're all set!

Thank you.

Your gift purchase was successful! Your purchase was successful, and you are now logged in.

Rate: Begins: Transaction ID:

A receipt was sent to your email.

OK

×

An error occurred

This offer is currently unavailable.

Close

Search AI Answers