Air Force Prepares Exercise To Gauge Nuclear Threat Readiness

The Air Force is preparing a tabletop exercise to determine the U.S.’s readiness to react to nuclear threats.

At a Glance

The Air Force is planning a tabletop exercise to assess U.S. readiness for various nuclear-related scenarios.
Scenarios include low-yield nuclear weapon use in Europe, nuclear demonstrations or tests, and regional conflicts involving nuclear powers.
The exercise aims to prepare warfighters at all levels, not just at the presidential or strategic level.
Modern nuclear threats involve more players and diverse delivery methods, including lower-yield tactical nuclear weapons.
The results of the exercise will be presented at a CORONA commanders conference.

Assessing U.S. Readiness for Nuclear Threats

The Air Force is preparing for a critical tabletop exercise to evaluate U.S. readiness for various nuclear scenarios. This exercise will cover potential situations including the use of low-yield nuclear weapons in Europe, nuclear demonstrations or tests, and regional conflicts involving nuclear powers.

The exercise aims to prepare warfighters across all levels. Lt. Gen. Andrew J. Gebara emphasized the importance of inclusive preparedness: “These are the kind of things that our warfighters need to understand from the beginning. It doesn’t need to be just at the presidential level with no other discussion.”

Training at Nellis Air Force Base incorporates lessons on radiological threats and their effects on aircraft, aiming for holistic readiness. The outcomes will be presented at a CORONA commanders conference, a significant meeting where critical military decisions are discussed.

Air Force braces for new nuclear-war scenarios. https://t.co/y3drW4kDC6 #USAF #nuclearwar #Defense #threatintelligence #flashpoints #Security

— Robert Morton (@Robert4787) September 21, 2024

Emerging Nuclear Threats

Modern nuclear threats are more diverse and involve a greater number of players with varied delivery methods. The proliferation of lower-yield tactical nuclear weapons and advancements in missile technology have significantly changed the landscape.

Lt. Gen. Gebara reflected on the evolution of these threats: “When I was younger, at the end of the Cold War, the biggest threat we had was no-notice-1,000 ICBMs just coming over the North Pole, and how would you handle that?”

The 8th U.S.-ROK Deterrence Strategy Committee Table-Top Exercise from 2023 focused on North Korea’s evolving nuclear and missile capabilities. The U.S. reiterated that any nuclear attack by North Korea would end the regime. “The U.S. side highlighted that the 2022 Nuclear Posture Review states that any nuclear attack by North Korea against the United States or its Allies and partners is unacceptable and will result in the end of that regime.”