Gen. Ray assumes command of Air Force Global Strike Command at Barksdale

U.S. Air Force Gen. Timothy M. Ray assumed command of the Air Force Global Strike Command Aug. 21 from Gen. Robin Rand.

“To be able to map the future of this great force is very, very humbling. And just to come back to people I know and as I look around the audience, it’s just face after face of people I have served with or people I’ve worked with. I know they had a great deal with me being where I am today. We are happy to be back home in the ArkLaTex, and will continue to work hard to provide strategic deterrence, global strike and combat support,” said Gen. Ray. 

Prior to his most recent assignment, Gen. Ray served as the Deputy Commander, United States European Command, Stuttgart, Germany.

The new Commander of the Air Force Global Strike Command, Gen. Timothy M. Ray, was commissioned from the U.S Air Force Academy in 1985. Gen. Ray has various staff assignment at the major command, Headquarters U.S. Air Force and combatant command levels as well as served as Commanding General, NATO Air Training Command-Afghanistan, NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan/Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan and Commander, 438th Air Expeditionary Wing, Kabul, Afghanistan.

Graduating from the U.S. Air Force academy in 1979. Serving the U.S. Air Force for 44 years, having held multiple flying and command assignments, Gen. Rand was the first four-star general officer to serve as commander of AFGSC. During the ceremony, he said farewell to his second family, the U.S. Air Force and retires.

“Thank you so much for being with us. I am telling you, there is no one more qualified in our United States Air Force then Tim Ray. Chief, you made the most fantastic selection possible. You are an incredible officer and today is a great day for you and Rhonda. And our country is so fortunate to have you in charge. I have no doubt under Tim and Rhonda’s leadership, the airmen and their families will write another glorious chapter in Air Force Global Strikes legacy. On a personal note Tim, thank you both for the sacrifices you and your family have made on behalf of our Air Force. Now Kim, it’s time to go home.” said Gen. Rand.

Air Force Global Strike Command, activated Aug. 7, 2009, is a major command with its headquarter at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana. AFGSC is responsible for the nation’s three intercontinental ballistic missile wings, the Air Force’s entire bomber force, to include B-52, B-1 and B-2 wings, the Long Range Strike Bomber program, Air Force Nuclear Command, Control and Communications (NC3) systems, and operational and maintenance support to organizations within the nuclear enterprise.