BY ORDER OF THE SECRETARY
OF THE AIR FORCE
AIR FORCE INSTRUCTION 13-520
22 AUGUST 2018
Incorporating Change 1, 27 JULY 2021
Nuclear, Space, Missile, Command and
Control
AIRCRAFT AND
ICBM NUCLEAR OPERATIONS
COMPLIANCE WITH THIS PUBLICATION IS MANDATORY
ACCESSIBILITY: Publications and forms are available for downloading or ordering on the e-
Publishing website at www.e-publishing.af.mil.
RELEASABILITY: There are no releasability restrictions on this publication.
OPR: AF/A10C
Supersedes: AFI13-503, 24 July 2017;
AFI13-520, 13 October 2015;
AFI13-530, 8 September 2015
Certified by: AF/DA10
(Mr. James Brooks, SES)
Pages: 34
This instruction implements Air Force Policy Directive (AFPD) 13-5, Air Force Nuclear Mission,
is consistent with AFPD 63-1, Acquisition and Sustainment Life Cycle, and establishes guidance,
and responsibilities to organize, train, equip, certify, decertify, and operationally restrict forces to
execute aircraft and intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) nuclear operations. This instruction
applies to all Regular Air Force, Air National Guard of the United States, Air Force Reserve,
civilian personnel, and contractors tasked with the responsibility to train, operate, maintain,
control, safeguard, inspect, manage, account for, or perform nuclear operations tasks.
Ensure that all records created as a result of processes prescribed in this publication are maintained
in accordance with Air Force Manual (AFMAN) 33-363, Management of Records, and disposed
of in accordance with the Air Force Records Information Management System Air Force Records
Disposition Schedule. Refer recommended changes and questions about this publication to the
Office of Primary Responsibility using the Air Force (AF) Form 847, Recommendation for Change
of Publication. AF Forms 847 should be routed from the field through the appropriate functional
chain of command. This publication may be supplemented at any level, but all supplements must
be routed to the Office of Primary Responsibility of this publication for coordination prior to
certification and approval.
