Robert J. Elder Jr.

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Lt. Gen. Robert J. Elder Jr.
U.S. Air Force Photo
Nickname(s)	"Bob"
Born	(1952-10-15) October 15, 1952 (age 72)
Allegiance	United States of America
Service / branch	United States Air Force
Years of service	1975–2009
Rank	Lieutenant general
Unit	Air Force Network Operations Joint Functional Component Command for Global Strike and Integration
Commands	8th Air Force 596th Bombardment Squadron 5th Bomb Wing
Battles / wars	Operation Iraqi Freedom Operation Enduring Freedom
Awards	Defense Superior Service Medal Legion of Merit Bronze Star Meritorious Service Medal Air Force Commendation Medal Air Force Achievement Medal

Lieutenant General Robert J. "Bob" Elder Jr. (born October 15, 1952)^[1] is the former Commander, 8th Air Force;^[2] Commander, Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana; and Commander, Joint Functional Component Command for Space and Global Strike, U.S. Strategic Command, Offutt AFB, Nebraska. He is now a member of the research faculty at George Mason University. As one of three active-duty numbered air forces in Air Combat Command, 8th Air Force provides long-range global strike, battle management, surveillance and reconnaissance, intelligence, information operations, tactical air control, and expeditionary heavy construction capabilities to combatant commanders. The "Mighty Eighth" also conducted computer network operations as the Air Force component to the Joint Task Force for Global Network Operations before that duty was transferred to 24th Air Force, and trains Air and Space Operations Center personnel for worldwide deployment and participation in the multinational Joint Expeditionary Force Experiment.

As the Joint Functional Component Commander for Space and Global Strike, General Elder serves as the lead integrator for USSTRATCOM crisis action planning, conducts global strike planning to deliver rapid, extended range, kinetic and non-kinetic effects in support of theater and national objectives, and provides situational awareness and integrated analysis of global mission capabilities for all STRATCOM operational responsibilities. General Elder also commands Task Force 204, which is responsible for monitoring all nuclear bomber, reconnaissance, and cruise missile generation operations. The Task Force 204 battlestaff is a cross-functional team that manages the generation, sustainment, logistics, security and safety of more than 100 B-2, B-52 Stratofortress, U-2, EP-3 and RC-135 aircraft at seven bases.