
The head of U.S. Strategic Command (STRATCOM) and the top U.S. Air Force deterrence official defended the intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) leg of the nuclear triad in separate forums on Apr. 22 by saying that ICBMs are needed to execute the National Command Authority''s scope of deterrence missions and to act as a hedge against the possible unavailability of the other two legs---the U.S.' 14 Ohio-class ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs) and bombers, which have been off of nuclear alert since…