The Air Force Global Strike Command shield features a design that pays tribute to the Command’s lineage from the Strategic Air Command and its roots in the Army Air Corps. A winged star in the center of the shield recalls the Army Air Corps shoulder sleeve insignia and that services dominance in the airspace of World War II after transitioning to become the U.S. Army Air Forces. The blue field represents sky, domain of Air Force operations, while the globe in the bottom of the shield denotes the command’s global responsibilities—and capabilities. The sacrifice of Airmen past and present is symbolized through the red disc at the center of the star, and the lightning flashes evoke the concept of speedy and powerful responses should deterrence ever fall short; they were also employed on the shield of the Strategic Air Command, which up until 1992 had command and control of the Air Force's nuclear-capable assets.
Established in response to several missteps by units in the management and oversight of nuclear weapons, the Air Force Global Strike Command took over the nuclear assets of Air Force Space Command (ICBMs) in December 2009 and the nuclear assets of Air Combat Command (bombers) on 1 February 2010. These two parts of the “nuclear triad” are now under the control of Eighth Force (B-1, B-2, and B-52 bombers) and Twentieth Air Force (ICBMs and UH-1N in supporting roles).
The Headquarters of Global Strike Command are located at Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana.