Strategic defense and the current landscape of national security were essential topics at this year's Deterrence Symposium, United States Strategic Command's premiere event, held from Aug. 5-6 at the CHI Health Center in Omaha, Nebraska.

The conference, themed: "Peace Through Strength: Turning Defense Strategy into Decisive Deterrence Action," brought together an esteemed coalition of military leaders, defense policy officials, academic and industry experts, as well as international partners.

"This kind of intellectual firepower rarely assembles in one place," said U.S. Navy Adm. Rich Correll, USSTRATCOM commander. "Peace Through Strength reflects our national strategic priorities and the foundation of our national security posture."

Over the course of two days, panels and keynotes addressed vital national security topics including: operationalizing the National Defense Strategy through a credible nuclear deterrent, maintaining current force readiness while modernizing military capabilities, enhancing strategic integration across the Joint Force and global partners, and supercharging the defense industrial base.

A central focus of the event was the role of USSTRATCOM in executing the specific directives outlined in the NDS, and how the command delivers a safe, secure, effective and credible nuclear deterrent. Speakers emphasized that the presence of a capable and ready deterrent force is designed to prevent crises from escalating by demonstrating clear, undeniable operational capabilities to any potential adversary.

"The demands on this command and on the Joint Force writ large have never been greater," said Correll. "But here's what has not changed; the fundamental role of deterrence in national security and the mission to deter strategic attack."

To effectively operationalize these strategies and maintain those reliable options, military planners must continuously account for the multi-domain nature of modern security challenges. Symposium dialogue enveloped topics from foundational policy to current operations and rapid developments in space, cyberspace, and conventional weapons.

The Honorable Elbridge Colby, Under Secretary of War for Policy, addressed the formation of the National Defense Strategy during a fireside chat with Ambassador Michael Froman, Council on Foreign Relations President.

"Nuclear strategy and nuclear forces are an absolutely essential part of the National Defense Strategy...the number one priority," said Colby.

U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. AnnMarie Anthony, Joint Electromagnetic Spectrum Operations Center director and a panelist on "Confronting Strategic Threat Vectors," outlined threats U.S. Department of War warfighters may encounter in today's electromagnetic environment.

"We at STRATCOM have the responsibility to ensure that the Joint Force can operate and prevail through a contested, congested, and constrained [electromagnetic spectrum]."

Outpacing adversary advancements requires a dual-path approach to force management. A prominent topic among defense officials in attendance was the ongoing recapitalization of the U.S. nuclear triad and its supporting command, control, and communication systems. Presentations detailed the logistical, financial, and strategic requirements of managing this transition. Planners stressed the necessity of sustaining legacy weapons systems currently in operation to ensure deterrence coverage remains uninterrupted, while concurrently testing and deploying modernized replacement platforms.

"It is much easier to stay strong than it is to get strong," said U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Michael Lutton, USSTRATCOM deputy commander. "When we look at modernizing our force, it's important that force be sustained and we modernize into the future without any gap in that strength or that capability."

Representatives from allied nations in attendance highlighted the operational advantage provided by multinational partnerships. Leaders stressed that integration across the Joint Force and with global partners provides national leadership with a wider range of credible response options, directly complicating adversary decision-making processes.

"The Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, Guardians and civilians of U.S. Strategic Command and our Joint Force represent the finest warfighting talent in the world. They maintain the watch 24/7/365 trained, ready and committed to executing the mission with precision and professionalism. They are the reason our deterrence is credible," said Correll, adding that "[allies and partner nations] represent an asymmetric advantage that no competitor or adversary can match. Together our collective deterrence force is as formidable as it has ever been."

The formal panels concluded on Thursday afternoon with presentation of the General Larry D. Welch Deterrence Writing Award, an honor which recognizes professional dialogue and advanced research regarding strategic deterrence concepts and a keynote address by Gen. Christopher Mahoney, Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

"The triad remains the bedrock of our strategic deterrence. STRATCOM remains the heart of the mission," said Mahoney.