Reference & AI

AFI 13-520

Air Force

AIRCRAFT AND ICBM NUCLEAR OPERATIONS

Reviewed by Guilherme Correia, active-duty U.S. Air Force

AFI 13-520, "AIRCRAFT AND ICBM NUCLEAR OPERATIONS", is a Department of the Air Force publication, dated July 27, 2021.

Published

July 27, 2021

OPR

AF/A10

Headquarters, Department of the Air Force

Official document

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AFI 13-520 — index record

NumberAFI 13-520
TitleAIRCRAFT AND ICBM NUCLEAR OPERATIONS
PublishedJuly 27, 2021
Certified currentJuly 27, 2021
Office of primary responsibilityAF/A10
Issued byHeadquarters, Department of the Air Force
Status on the indexCurrent
Last index actionIC, July 27, 2021
Source indexAir Force e-Publishing
Index last readOctober 20, 2026

Copied from Air Force e-Publishing (index). The publication itself is the authority; this page does not summarize or interpret it. Verify the current edition on the index before acting.

From the publication itself

Text below is lifted mechanically from the official PDF (32 pages, read October 20, 2026) with no editing or interpretation. Quote the document, not this page.

Purpose, in the publication’s words

This Air Force Instruction provides implementation guidance and establishes responsibilities to safely, securely, and effectively conduct aircraft and ICBM nuclear operations. In carrying out aircraft and ICBM nuclear operations, the Air Force: 1.1.1. Promotes a culture of accountability, self-assessment, and uncompromising performance. 1.1.2. Organizes, trains, and equips bomber, fighter, reconnaissance, mobility, air refueling, Air Force Nuclear Command and Control (NC2), and ICBM forces for nuclear combat operations to support Combatant Command missions and requirements, including exercise participation in accordance with the Department of Defense (DoD) Exercise Program. 1.1.3. Conforms to Combatant Command unique organizational structures when under functional command to facilitate alert posture and centralized NC2.

Summary of changes, as printed

This interim change revises AFI13-520 to include the role of Air Force Global Strike Command’s Airborne Emergency Action Officer (AEAO) program.

Contents

  1. Chapter 1—GENERAL INFORMATIONp. 5
  2. Chapter 2—ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIESp. 7
  3. Chapter 3—BOMBER NUCLEAR OPERATIONSp. 13
  4. Chapter 4—INTERCONTINENTAL BALLISTIC MISSILE NUCLEAR OPERATIONSp. 16
  5. Chapter 5—MOBILITY NUCLEAR OPERATIONSp. 18
  6. Chapter 6—RECONNAISSANCE IN SUPPORT OF NUCLEAR OPERATIONSp. 21
  7. Chapter 7—DUAL CAPABLE FIGHTER AIRCRAFTp. 24
  8. Chapter 8—NUCLEAR PUBLICATIONSp. 26
  9. Attachment 1—GLOSSARY OF REFERENCES AND SUPPORTING INFORMATIONp. 29
All 63 contents entries
  1. Chapter 1—GENERAL INFORMATIONp. 5
  2. 1.1. Purposep. 5
  3. 1.2. Missionp. 5
  4. 1.3. Nuclear Execution Authorityp. 5
  5. 1.4. Support to Joint/Combined Operationsp. 6
  6. 1.5. Classification and Security Informationp. 6
  7. 1.6. Compliancep. 6
  8. Chapter 2—ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIESp. 7
  9. 2.2. Major Command Nuclear Operations Responsibilitiesp. 7
  10. 2.3. Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC)p. 9
  11. 2.4. Air Education and Training Command (AETC)p. 10
  12. 2.5. Air Force Materiel Command (AFMC)p. 10
  13. 2.6. Air Force Space Command (AFSPC)p. 10
  14. 2.7. Air Force Chief of Safety (AF/SE)p. 11
  15. 2.8. Air Combat Command (ACC)p. 11
  16. 2.9. Air Mobility Command (AMC)p. 11
  17. 2.10. Pacific Air Forces (PACAF)p. 11
  18. 2.12. Lead MAJCOM or Agencyp. 12
  19. 2.13. Director of Public Affairs, Office of the Secretary of the Air Force (SAF/PA)p. 12
  20. Chapter 3—BOMBER NUCLEAR OPERATIONSp. 13
  21. 3.1. Command Relationshipsp. 13
  22. 3.2. Directed Requirementsp. 13
  23. 3.3. Certification, Qualification, and Training Programp. 14
  24. 3.4. Operationsp. 14
  25. 3.5. Combat Mission Folderp. 14
  26. 3.6. Planningp. 15
  27. Chapter 4—INTERCONTINENTAL BALLISTIC MISSILE NUCLEAR OPERATIONSp. 16
  28. 4.1. Command Relationshipsp. 16
  29. 4.2. Directed Requirementsp. 16
  30. 4.3. Certification, Qualification, and Training Programp. 17
  31. 4.4. Operationsp. 17
  32. Chapter 5—MOBILITY NUCLEAR OPERATIONSp. 18
  33. 5.1. Command Relationshipsp. 18
  34. 5.2. Directed Requirementsp. 18
  35. 5.3. Certification, Qualification, and Training Programp. 19
  36. 5.4. Operationsp. 20
  37. 5.5. Combat Mission Folderp. 20
  38. 5.6. Planningp. 20
  39. Chapter 6—RECONNAISSANCE IN SUPPORT OF NUCLEAR OPERATIONSp. 21
  40. 6.1. Command Relationshipsp. 21
  41. 6.2. Directed Requirementsp. 21
  42. 6.3. Certification, Qualification, and Training Programp. 22
  43. 6.4. Operationsp. 22
  44. 6.5. Combat Mission Folderp. 22
  45. 6.6. Planningp. 22
  46. 6.7. Exercisesp. 23
  47. 6.8. Processing Exploitation and Disseminationp. 23
  48. Chapter 7—DUAL CAPABLE FIGHTER AIRCRAFTp. 24
  49. 7.1. Command Relationshipsp. 24
  50. 7.2. Readinessp. 24
  51. 7.3. Directed Requirementsp. 24
  52. 7.4. Certification, Qualification, and Training Programp. 25
  53. 7.5. Operationsp. 25
  54. 7.6. Combat Mission Folderp. 25
  55. 7.7. Planningp. 25
  56. Chapter 8—NUCLEAR PUBLICATIONSp. 26
  57. 8.1. Major Command Nuclear Operations Publicationsp. 26
  58. 9.1. Purposep. 27
  59. 9.2. Roles and Responsibilitiesp. 27
  60. 9.3. Operational Nuclear Certificationp. 27
  61. 9.4. Decertificationp. 27
  62. 9.5. Operational Restrictionsp. 28
  63. Attachment 1—GLOSSARY OF REFERENCES AND SUPPORTING INFORMATIONp. 29

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Air Force index

REF: AFI 13-520, effective July 27, 2021

Air Force e-Publishing — AFI 13-520

This is an index record, not the publication. The official PDF is the authority; verify the current edition before acting.

Reviewed by Guilherme Correia · Military Toolkit editorial

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